Broadcasters pull the plug on iCraveTV
Groups representing the TV, film and sports industries force the Canadian Web start-up to close its site, ending any possibility it will resume showing TV programs without permission.
The agreement with closely held iCraveTV settles court proceedings begun in the United States by groups representing the NFL, the NBA, 20th Century Fox, Disney Enterprises, four major U.S. broadcast networks and five of Canada's biggest public and private TV stations, according to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB).
The Toronto-based Web site, which drew fire from numerous sources when it began relaying TV signals over the Internet from 17 U.S. and Canadian stations on Nov. 30, hasn't carried programs since Jan. 28, when a U.S. District Court judge ordered the company to stop letting users in the United States see its transmissions.
"We've succeeded in pulling the plug on iCraveTV," said Michael McCabe, chief executive of the CAB. "Today's settlement signals that the rights of copyright holders and creators cannot be ignored."
William Craig, iCraveTV's president, wasn't immediately available for comment.
"Our objective was to protect our rights--mission accomplished," said Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesman.
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