The Paris judicial court has just condemned Canal+ for broadcasting films unencrypted during Covid-19. A broadcast which harmed one of its main competitors, TF1.
The period of the pandemic disrupted many habits, particularly at the beginning, during the first confinement. At the time, initiatives multiplied to allow the French to best experience this unprecedented period, whether they came from public actors or private actors, such as Canal+. And it is for one of these initiatives that the encrypted channel has just been condemned by the Paris court.
Canal+ taken by the Covid-19 event
While the French were still shaken by the start of historic confinement, Canal+ announced that, to better help them spend these days locked at home, its channels would be available unencrypted for 15 days in April 2020.
The problem is that this laudable idea meant that several films whose free broadcasting rights had been purchased by competitors were able to be seen without constraint by the public, which legally Canal+ did not have the right to do. Reason why TF1, which accused its rival of “counterfeiting” and “unfair competition”, decided to take it to court.
1.5 million euros in compensation to be paid
The case relied on damages suffered at the level of six films. TF1 was partially heard by the courts, since it retained the charge “ depreciation of broadcasting rights » for three of the six films cited.
Canal+ must therefore pay 680,000 euros for “Avengers: Endgame”, 740,000 euros for “All Inclusive” and “So far so good”, and finally 100,000 euros for moral damage. In total, approximately 1.5 million euros will have to be paid to TF1.
The fact remains that the first channel initially asked for around 12 million euros. And yet, according to information from Parisianit is Canal+ which is considering the possibility of appealing this judgment.
Source : Ozap
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