Back in July ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC filed a lawsuit to shut down Locast. Locast is a free streaming service that offers locals streamed online for free in a handful of markets.
Locast launched back in early 2018, offering access to 15 stations including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Locast parent company Sports Fans Coalition is a nonprofit and says there is an exception in the FCC rules that allows them to air locals without paying the stations for the service. They are hoping to be protected by Title 17, Chapter 1, section 111 a) 5 of the Copyright Act a section that allows nonprofits to avoid many of the fees companies would typically pay.
The Sports Fan Coalition New York was created for the purpose of launching Locast and is headed by David Goodfriend. The question has always been how broadcasters would react to this free service, but Goodfriend is no stranger to pushing back against broadcasters and the NFL.
As you would expect, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC are arguing that Locast is violating their copyright by re-transmitting the signals of their local TV stations without permission.
Now Locast is asking for help from its supporters to fight the lawsuit.
In an email to supporters Locast said:
Locast brings you local TV at little or no cost—just the way it was always supposed to be…
But now four of the biggest media corporations—ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox—are suing Locast to take away YOUR free, over-the-air local TV. They would rather force you to pay for cable television so that the broadcasters and the cable companies can get even richer by taking your money. We’re fighting back and we need your help!
Big Media sued us in federal court, saying that “Locast is not the Robin Hood of TV.”
Oh, yeah, Big Media? Wrong! LOCAST REALLY IS THE ROBIN HOOD OF TV! The only difference is that Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Locast steals nothing—we just give you back the local television you’re entitled to, and that Big Media has tried to steal from you!
And we will keep fighting to save money for everyday Americans by bringing you, the viewer, your local broadcast TV stations that you have a right to watch any time, anywhere in your local market.
Fight with us!
We’re a non-profit that relies on users’ contributions to pay for operations, including defending ourselves in court against greedy corporate bullies.
Please click HERE to contribute. Help us to defend your rights and continue providing the Locast service.
If you already contribute, please forward this message to FIVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. Tell them to become contributing members of Locast.
If you’re sick of paying too much for cable, satellite, or video over the Internet, FIGHT BACK by supporting the non-profit helping you to access your local TV stations: Locast!
We’ll now have to wait and see if Locast will legally be able to continue offering free access to these major networks. For now that will be up to a judge to decided.
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