New York City Litigation Lawyers Blog

• CBS has responded to criticism over a planned Super Bowl advertisement featuring Tim Tebow that critics believe conveys an anti-abortion message. The network says it has moderated its approach to advocacy ad submissions after it became apparent that CBS’ stance didn’t reflect public sentiment or industry norms. A hard economic climate for advertising may have had more to do with the decision than any legal threats.
• A Chinese court has ruled that the country’s largest search engine, Baidu, didn’t violate copyright law by linking to sites that hosted unauthorized music downloads. The IFPI said in a statement that it was extremely disappointed with the ruling.
• Shepard Fairey, the artist who is currently waging a copyright battle with the Associated Press over an image used as the basis for his Barack Obama “HOPE” poster, is under criminal investigation. Details of the probe are confidential, but probably relate to admissions of falsehoods and evidence tampering in the AP case.
• “24″ star Kiefer Sutherland has been caught up in a cattle-selling scam that is being investigated by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office. Sutherland allegedly made a $869,000 investment in an operation that promised to buy cattle in Mexico and resell them in the U.S. for a profit. The money was transferred but there isn’t any evidence of any cattle buying.
• Sony Music Entertainment is suing TV Guide Network in New York claiming the station violated copyright by airing nine music videos of Michael Jackson soon after the musician died.
• The record industry has asked a court for some time to review its choices after a judge slashed a jury’s award in the Jammie Thomas-Rasset case.

Comcast 3Q customer growth to slow, but NBC Universal deal to overshadow earnings report

November 2nd, 2009 Earnings preview: Comcast to report 3Q resultsPHILADELPHIA — Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable TV operator and largest home Internet service provider, reports third-quarter earnings before the market opens on Wednesday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period: OVERVIEW: Comcast is expected to report slower customer growth in the third quarter from the same quarter last year, but results will be an improvement over the second quarter of 2009.

Comcast offers subscribers online viewing of cable TV shows, movies from HBO, Cinemax, others

December 15th, 2009 Comcast unveils online viewing of cable TV showsPHILADELPHIA — Comcast Corp. customers can now watch several cable TV shows and movies over the Internet, a move aimed at helping the cable TV operator manage the flight of viewers to online video.

Charter Communications CEO Smit leaving to join rival Comcast as cable president

January 22nd, 2010 more images more imagesCharter CEO exits to be Comcast's cable presidentPHILADELPHIA — The chief executive of Charter Communications Inc., who guided the cable company through bankruptcy, is joining larger rival Comcast Corp. as president of its cable operations.

Charter Communications CEO Smit to join Comcast as cable president

January 22nd, 2010 more images more imagesCharter Communications CEO Smit to join ComcastPHILADELPHIA — The chief executive of Charter Communications Inc., who guided the cable company through bankruptcy, is joining larger rival Comcast Corp. as president of its cable operations.

Comcast unveils 100 Mbps Internet speeds for businesses

September 9th, 2009 Comcast sets 100 Mbps Internet speeds for businessPHILADELPHIA — Comcast Corp. has begun offering Internet speeds of up to 100 Megabits per second for businesses, starting with the Twin Cities region.

Comcast income up 22 pct but growth slows; investors awaiting details about NBC Universal deal

November 4th, 2009 more images more images Comcast 3Q profit up 22 pct, but growth slows PHILADELPHIA — Comcast Corp. reported a 22 percent increase in third-quarter earnings, buoyed by an investment gain and a lower tax rate as it stepped up promotions on its bundled video, phone and Internet plans.

Comcast, Microsoft, Smithfield Foods, Xyratex, Saks are among big market movers Thursday

October 1st, 2009 Comcast, Microsoft, Smithfield Foods big moversNEW YORK — The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange: NYSE: Smithfield Foods Inc., down $1.18 at $12.62 The nation's largest hog producer and pork processor said its CEO sold 100,000 shares this week for personal financial reasons. Constellation Brands Inc., up 82 cents at $15.97 The wine and spirits maker said it hopes its new distribution system will boost profits, continuing the trends of its second quarter.

Stay tuned: Comcast's promises in NBC deal aren't mollifying rivals and consumer groups

January 24th, 2010 To get NBC, Comcast still has persuading to doWASHINGTON — Before Comcast Corp. can transform the entertainment business by taking control of NBC Universal, it must convince Washington that the plan won't hurt rivals and consumers.

Comcast to roll out free online access to cable TV shows, movies by year's end

October 20th, 2009 Comcast to debut cable shows online by year's endPHILADELPHIA — You'll be able to watch popular cable television series such as HBO's "Entourage" and AMC's "Mad Men" on your computer by the end of the year without paying extra — as long as you're a Comcast Corp. subscriber watching at home.

Key dates in the history of Comcast Corp.

November 16th, 2009 more images more images Key dates in the history of Comcast Corp. Some key events in Comcast Corp.'s history: 1963 — Ralph Roberts buys American Cable Systems, a 1,200-subscriber cable TV operator in Tupelo, Miss., for $500,000.

Tennis Channel complaint with FCC accuses Comcast of discriminating against its programming

January 6th, 2010 Tennis Channel accuses Comcast of discriminationWASHINGTON — The Tennis Channel is accusing Comcast Corp. of discriminating against its cable TV network by relegating it to a premium sports tier that reaches only a small number of subscribers, even as Comcast-owned sports channels get much wider distribution.

On the Call-Comcast CEO to 'wait and see' if Apple comes through with $30 pay-TV service

November 4th, 2009 more images more imagesOn the Call-Comcast CEO Brian RobertsComcast Corp.'s answer to the growing popularity of watching video over the Internet is to launch its own online video service in December that would let subscribers view cable TV shows and movies on their PCs at no additional charge. While the cable TV industry has been a bit wary of online video because viewers could then bypass their cable systems, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has decided to go head-to-head with the trend.

Comcast settles lawsuit over delaying Internet traffic, agrees to pay up to $16 million

December 23rd, 2009 Comcast settles data discrimination lawsuitPHILADELPHIA — Comcast Corp. has agreed to pay up to $16 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the cable TV operator of delaying transfers of large movie and music files despite promises of unfettered Internet access.

Comcast reports 53 percent jump in 2Q profit on higher revenue, but subscriber growth slows

August 6th, 2009 Comcast's 2Q profit soars 53 pct, tops estimatesPHILADELPHIA — Comcast Corp., the nation's biggest cable TV systems operator, posted a 53 percent increase in second-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by higher prices and increased customer spending on video and Internet services. But subscriber growth markedly slowed as the recession's grip remained tight.

JDA Software to buy rival i2 Technologies in $434.4M in cash and stock

November 5th, 2009 JDA Software to buy i2 for about $434 millionNEW YORK — JDA Software Group Inc., which makes inventory management software for retailers, said Thursday it has agreed to buy rival i2 Technologies Inc. for about $434 million.