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WPRI sueing Discovery Channel on Fire Footage

K

kenwood

Guest
Here's the story..
Providence, RI) -- Channel 12 has filed a federal lawsuit over the use of its infamous footage of The Station nightclub fire. The "Providence Journal" reports Channel 12's owner, TVL Broadcasting Incorporated, is suing the Discovery Times Channel and a documentary production company, accusing them of illegally using copyrighted video footage in a program about the tragic fire. A Channel 12 cameraman was shooting footage at The Station on the night of February 20, 2003, ironically for a story about building safety. The footage captured on-stage pyrotechnics igniting the blaze and a crush of patrons who were stuck in a doorway as they tried to escape the inferno. One-hundred people died and 200 others were injured. The lawsuit seeks to stop Discovery from using the footage in the future and other unspecified damages. The program is scheduled to air again on March 20th and 21st.

Courtesy Cox Comunications
 
Two things:

1. WPRI is owned by LIN TV.

2. Every TV Station (Local and Cable) used WPRI's footage of the fire.
 
> 1. WPRI is owned by LIN TV.

Yes, but the name on the licensee is TVL Broadcasting, so under law, the license gets sued by the licensee name. WPRI is owned by LIN but operated as an independent operation.

> 2. Every TV Station (Local and Cable) used WPRI's footage of
> the fire.

Yes, BUT, and here is a difference, the other stations HAD PERMISSION to use the footage. WPRI is a CNN Newsource affiliate and via CNN Newssource distribution, anyone who is a CNN Newsource affiliate had the right to use the video, except where it was embargoed (Providence). The Discovery Channel might not have had the rights to use the video from CNN or WPRI.
 
> > 1. WPRI is owned by LIN TV.
>
> Yes, but the name on the licensee is TVL Broadcasting, so
> under law, the license gets sued by the licensee name. WPRI
> is owned by LIN but operated as an independent operation.
>
> > 2. Every TV Station (Local and Cable) used WPRI's footage
> of
> > the fire.
>
> Yes, BUT, and here is a difference, the other stations HAD
> PERMISSION to use the footage. WPRI is a CNN Newsource
> affiliate and via CNN Newssource distribution, anyone who is
> a CNN Newsource affiliate had the right to use the video,
> except where it was embargoed (Providence). The Discovery
> Channel might not have had the rights to use the video from
> CNN or WPRI.
>
>
>I'm not sure if CNN was carrying live coverage from WPRI but FOX NEWSCHANNEL was simulcasting WPRI coverage on and off the following morning.
WPRI does alot more with the FOX name than CBS or maybe I am missing the CBS promos.
 
> >I'm not sure if CNN was carrying live coverage from WPRI
> but FOX NEWSCHANNEL was simulcasting WPRI coverage on and
> off the following morning.
> WPRI does alot more with the FOX name than CBS or maybe I am
> missing the CBS promos.

Yes, WPRI's coverage was simulcast on CNN overnight.
It was sent via fiber optic to CNN.
 
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