HBO Negotiations with WestStar TV Reach an Impasse
WestStar continues its unauthorized interception and rebroadcast of HBO programming
MIAMI, Oct. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Negotiations between HBO Latin America and Cayman Islands cable television operator WestStar TV have reached an impasse, after WestStar management did not accept HBO's proposals that would have legalized WestStar's rebroadcast of HBO programming under a licensing agreement with HBO LA.
"We had hoped that after we explored every possible business scenario with WestStar's management, they would recognize their violation of international intellectual property rights and would have seen an end to WestStar's unauthorized interception and rebroadcast of HBO programming in the Cayman Islands," said Miguel Oliva, Vice President for Public Relations and Corporate Affairs at HBO Latin America.
WestStar was reported to have temporarily suspended HBO programming broadcasts for several days after receiving official notification that it lacked the consent and authorization of the copyright owners of the programming to legally distribute the broadcasts. Since then, the signal has been restored under the same non-ethical process. HBO Latin America will continue to pursue WestStar for its ongoing intellectual property rights violations by all means available and through any appropriate regulatory body in the Cayman Islands, the U.S. and Great Britain.
"We are hopeful that the Cayman Islands Government and the local regulatory authority will recognize that local companies such as WestStar should not be allowed to operate in this manner as it is affecting the island's standing and reputation in the international business community," said Oliva. "We intend to pursue this matter with the newly elected government and remain confident that we may still avoid litigation, though HBO will pursue all legal options to enforce its rights and those of the copyright owners."
HBO Latin America is proud of its licensed and authorized Cayman Islands partners, LIME and Logic, who offer world class HBO and MAX programming to their subscribers with the authority and license of the copyright owners.
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About HBO Latin America
HBO Latin America is the premium television network leader that, in addition to being recognized for the quality and diversity of its original programming, films and documentaries, also provides services with the highest technology in SD and HD formats in more than 24 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean through its channels HBO, HBO2, HBO Signature, HBO Plus, HBO Family, HBO Caribbean, HBO On Demand, HBO GO, Cinemax, MAX and MaxPrime.