Court grants broadcasters injunction in bid to stem “emerging trend” of pre-loaded set-top boxes

By Margot Patterson

THE FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA recently granted three large broadcasters an order for an injunction against retailers of pre-loaded “plug-and-play” set-top boxes. The apps pre-loaded on the boxes allow consumers to access TV programs and movies without cable or other subscriptions. As Madam Justice Tremblay-Lamer observed:“These boxes have several uses for consumers, some of which are perfectly legal and some which skirt around the fringes of copyright law. This is not the first time a new technology has been alleged to violate copyright law, nor will it be the last.”In her view, the allegations in this particular instance were strong...