Victory for Univision in Televisa Internet Rights Battle

NEW YORK: A Los Angeles federal court has sided in favor of Univision Communications in the Hispanic broadcaster’s battle with Televisa, ruling that the Mexican media giant cannot stream its programming on the Internet in the U.S. market.

Judge Philip S. Gutierrez maintained in his ruling that a 1992 programming agreement signed by the two companies "bars Televisa from sending programs to the United States by any means, including the Internet." 

Televisa, which is expected to appeal the decision, has pointed out that Gutierrez’s ruling does not authorize Univision to make Televisa’s content available on its website. "Univision does not have the right to transmit Televisa content over the Internet, and Televisa would vigorously oppose any such frivolous claim by Univision that it does," a Televisa statement said. "It would seem that the only apparent winners in this ruling are Internet sites that are unauthorized to replay the content."

Televisa had previously tried to terminate its Univision licensing agreement, alleging breach of contract and the non-payment of more than $100 million in royalty fees. In January, the two parties settled that dispute, amending the programming contract to cover increased payments to Televisa in exchange for "incremental rights" for Univision. That pact runs through 2017.