Le Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris has ruled against complainant M6 in a case brought against the online catch-up TV portal TV-Replay.fr.
M6 started proceedings against the website, claiming infringement of copyright, parasitism and disloyal conduct by providing deep links to videos displayed on the M6 Replay website. By bypassing the homepage of the site, the broadcaster accused TV-Replay of damaging its business model.
However, the judge has ruled in favour of the portal and ordered M6 to pay €30,000 in damages. M6 has yet to comment on the verdict and an appeal by the broadcaster seems likely.
On its portal, TV-Replay.fr brings together all catch-up TV programmes offered online by the various broadcasters, including both pubic and private channels, 19 in total. Viewers can choose by channel or by genre. There is also a search functionality on the site (click here to access TV-replay.fr).
Clicking on the links of the programmes, the viewer is led directly to the video on the broadcaster’s website, which will then be shown in its entirety, including any pre-roll commercials.
