Dish Network isn’t shy about exercising the power of its patents, and the company is at it again with another lawsuit filed against streaming service Vidgo.
In a lawsuit filed last month, Dish’s technology arm, Dish Technologies LLC and Dish’s Sling TV LLC accused Vidgo of knowingly infringing on its technology to stream content to users. The patents apply to multi-bitrate content streaming, which is a method of delivering video data across the internet based on different connection speeds. The Desk first spotted the lawsuit.
Vidgo joins other companies that have been hit with similar lawsuits from Dish, including streaming service Fubo and interactive fitness app iFit. Like Fubo, Vidgo offers more than 100 live channels of streaming content. In the case of Fubo, Dish is attempting to strike a royalty deal in which the streaming service pays Dish for the use of its technology. Dish said last month that iFit’s stationary bike, elliptical trainers and other devices with streaming capabilities violate its patents and is asking for them to be banned.
“Our counsel is reviewing the suit but we believe it has no merit and is frivolous,” said a Vidgo spokesman.
“Fubo takes these allegations very seriously,” said a Fubo spokeswoman. “We continue to review Dish’s claim.”
Dish acquired these patents when it purchased startup MOVE Networks and its patent portfolio for $45 million in 2010. After a series of corporate reshuffling, Dish Technologies (previously known as Echostar Technologies) became a division of Dish Network in 2018.
Dish said it informed Vidgo of the patents in a letter in March, and followed up in July, but never received a response.
It’s just another issue Vidgo has been dealing with. The service shut down on Friday after a dispute with a vendor, with the company offering credits to all subscribers and discounts for future service.