In direct response to an antitrust lawsuit brought against it by broadcast giant Cablevision, Viacom is reportedly accusing its rival of fraud and demanding that it lose its rights to exclusively broadcast popular programming.
According to reports, Viacom has filed counterclaims against Cablevision accusing the company of fraudulent behavior when working out a contract between the two. According to Viacom, Cablevision had a “secret plan” during December 2012 contract negotiation.
After the contract was executed, Cablevision filed a lawsuit against Viacom accusing it of engaging in “per se” illegal tying, forcing Cablevision into licensing unpopular networks with the “must-have” ones. Cablevision’s suit also claimed that Viacom forced contractual clauses that imposed a “10-figure penalty” on Cablevision if it did not license those unpopular networks.
But Viacom argues that Cablevision was simply offered a discount on the most popular networks if it also licensed the unpopular ones.
Now, Viacom has filed counterclaims against its rival that question how the contract was negotiated, arguing that Cablevision never intended to fulfill its obligations under the contract. The 2012 negotiations amounted to misrepresentations, the company argues.
Viacom lost a motion last June to dismiss the lawsuit against the company.
Full content: Hollywood Reporter
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
DOJ and FTC Introduce Website for Reporting Anti-Competitive Healthcare Practices
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
US Congress Advances Legislation to Compel TikTok Sale
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
UK Financial Sector Advocates Enhanced Regulatory Accountability
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Google and All 50 States Defend $700 Million Consumer Settlement
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Colorado Enacts First Law to Protect Consumer Brainwave Data
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI