FilmOn's Alki David strikes back at Fox, alleging the TV network is making libelous statements to Apple, Google and Microsoft and interfering with his efforts to deliver a streaming service.
Fox says in a statement, "Although we have not seen the suit we welcome the opportunity to let the court determine the legitimacy of Mr. David's business practices."
David is an eccentric billionaire who operates several businesses, mostly recently KILM Channel 64 in Los Angeles. He has poured $17 million into FilmOn, his company that digitally transmits on-air television and other video content to subscribers. The company's board includes Charlie Sheen and Ice-T, among others.
As he continues to defend FilmOn from the networks that believe his service is a huge threat to the TV industry, David has been attempting to make inroads in the technology sector. Recently, he says he struck a deal with Lenovo, one of the world's biggest computer manufacturers, to have FilmOn TV Live to be the exclusive streaming app preloaded on Lenovo's Window 8 devices. Concurrently, he's been submitting his apps for distribution through Apple, Google and Microsoft.
Fox hasn't let this go unnoticed, he alleges in his new complaint for trade libel.
He now is demanding compensatory damages and an order restraining Fox from engaging in further alleged unlawful contact with FilmOn's retailers, suppliers, partners and customers.
This isn't the first time that David has sought revenge in the courtroom. He previously targeted the digital division of CBS for "hypocrisy" for allowing Internet users to download P2P software such as Grokster and Limewire. After a settlement, that case was put on hold, but David says he plans to revive it soon.
In the meantime, he has picked a new battle with Fox that targets discussions made between a top television network and big tech companies in the ongoing battles over piracy. The lawsuit also indirectly deals with the way that nondefendants Apple, Google and Microsoft handle their app stores -- of interest to many in the tech community -- and raises the issue of whether alleged interference can amount to trade libel.
Read More: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/fox-broadcasting-sued-allegedly-scaring-387947
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