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markjeffr... markjeffr...
 
M$1 December 31, 2008 10:57 PM

Viacom is threatening to block online access to TV shows (South Park, etc) for Time Warner Cable users, is this Legal?

Time Warner and Viacom are in a legal spat: http://a.longreply.com/21287

Starting on Jan 7, if this isn't resolved, Viacom is yanking their channels from the TW Cable lineup. **Furthermore** (this is the more interesting part) they are apparently threatening to block TW cable modem users from accessing Viacom television content online (!) This would be accomplished via an IP range block at Viacom's end.

My question is this: Is there a possible legal response to Viacom's actions? If this happened, would Viacom be in violation of Net Neutrality concepts?
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bmlhailsto... bmlhailsto...
 
 December 31, 2008 11:04 PM
I seriously doubt they'll be able to accomplish what they're threatening. Just because they no longer want their shows on Time Warner doesn't mean they can block Time Warner internet users from accessing their content.

If they do go through with it and set up the IP range block, Time Warner can sue and will likely win. You can't section off portions of the internet for specific ISPs. I'm 100% sure that if this happens, it will be overturned.
Asker's Rating:
• I think the legality is questionable -- that's the correct answer.


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bmlhailsto... bmlhailsto...
 
January 02, 2009 09:27 PM
It's pretty strange that they're even threatening it since it is extremely unlikely to come to fruition. But, I'm sure they'll give it a shot, unless they have smart lawyers that give them smart advice.

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darth cont... darth cont...
 
December 31, 2008 10:58 PM
Probably legal, but as one of my favorite lines from the movie Serenity goes, "Nothing can stop the signal."

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tracebooks tracebooks
 
December 31, 2008 11:12 PM
It doesn't seem like this should be legal, but stranger things have happened. They are apparently discriminating against some users based on how they access the internet.

I'm glad my provider places nicely with others...

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ackimdead ackimdead
 
December 31, 2008 11:55 PM
Of course this is legal - Cable companies and Content Providers have contracts with each other, and the one between Viacom and and TWC is up for negotiation. There is no legal requirement for TWC to provide specific channels to its customers. And there is no legal requirement to provide access to a website to, well, anyone. I, as the content owner, can block anyone I wish.

So no, I see no legal possible legal response to Viacom's actions.

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oboewan oboewan
 
January 01, 2009 07:26 PM
First of all, this is a non-issue: Viacom and Time Warner finally reached an agreement at 11:48 last night.

Second of all, this would be legal.

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