|
TVCatchup suspended after complaints |
|
|
|
Written by Felix Da Silva (fdasilva@bitnip.com)
|
|
Friday, 22 February 2008 |
|
 TVCatchup.com allows users to record offline TV
shows, watch them online and share copies with other members. The service has been suspended after complaints from the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and
Channel Five.
The UK-focused site immediately attracted the concern of broadcasters, which have invested millions of pounds in their own web TV catch-up services.
A note posted was posted on the site on Saturday and the note saids:
In recent days, TVCatchup has become aware of the broadcasters' [BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five] increasing concerns over the free personal recording functionality that this website offers.
TVCatchup has therefore voluntarily suspended its services whilst the concerns of the broadcasters are addressed.
We apologise to all for this temporary interruption to service. A spokeswoman for BBC said:
We are concerned about the unauthorised commercial exploitation of our rights, and those of our contributors, by TVCatchup.
The BBC together with the other UK terrestrial broadcasters, ITV, Channel 4 and Five are currently jointly in correspondence with TV Catchup, and we have no further comment to make at this stage. Adam Smith, the founder of TVCatchup.com, has argued that the site is legal because it is covered by time-shifting exemptions in copyright law. However, the clause in question is intended to cover domestic services, such as video recorders, and not commercial operations.
Since TVCatchup introduced advertising on the service through a deal with advertising firm 24/7 Real Media to generate revenue, TVCatchup is considered a commercial operation and should be excluded from the exemption.
|
