Dish Network Wins Temporary Restraining Order Against AutoHop Lawsuits
By Jeffrey Hill | June 1, 2012
[Satellite TODAY 06-01-12] A New York federal court judge has issued a temporary restraining order to halt lawsuits that were filed against Dish Network by FOX and other TV broadcasters in California, the pay-TV operator announced May 31.
FOX, CBS and NBC filed separate lawsuits against Dish May 24, claiming that the satellite broadcaster’s AutoHop service, which allows consumers to skip television ads, violates their copyright.
Earlier in May, Dish filed its own lawsuit in New York, seeking a declaratory judgment that its AutoHop feature is legal. The temporary restraining order could be lifted at a July 2 hearing, where U.S. District Court Judge Laura Swain will determine whether all of the court cases should be consolidated.
“We’re pleased that the New York federal court has entered a temporary restraining order against Fox until the New York court decides whether the suits filed by FOX, CBS and NBC in California should be enjoined in favor of Dish’s suit in New York,” Dish Network Executive Vice President and General Counsel R. Stanton Dodge said in a statement. “Dish looks forward to presenting its case and prevailing on the merits.”