Disney, Netflix Sue Streaming Service for Copyright Infringement

Streaming service Crystal Clear Media was sued by a group of entertainment powerhouses including Disney Enterprises Inc., Netflix Studios, and Paramount Pictures Corp. for allegedly infringing their copyrights.

Florida-based Crystal Clear Media illegally offers copyrighted movies and television programs online, the media companies alleged in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Crystal Clear Media provides unauthorized access to Hollywood blockbusters including “Frozen II,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “Despicable Me 3" for a fee, according to the complaint.

The streaming platform deliberately masks its video-on-demand service by using public facing labels such as “Virtual Reality Gaming,” which in reality lead to the protected works, the groups alleged.

Crystal Clear Media and its resellers advertise customer subscription packages ranging from $15 to $40 per month, according to the complaint. The entertainment companies said Crystal Clear Media currently offers over 14,000 movies and over 3,000 TV series for on-demand viewing.

Crystal Clear Media also offers live television that is streamed at the same time as the legitimate broadcaster, the groups alleged. The programming includes ESPN, NBCSN, and other popular channels.

Streaming services such as Crystal Clear Media that engage in “mass infringement” harm the industry by sidestepping the paid licenses that the law requires, the group alleged.

“The result is television and movie content streamed over the internet in a manner that directly competes with and undermines authorized cable and internet streaming services,” lawyers for the entertainment companies wrote.

The groups also accused Crystal Clear Media of unfairly competing with their own video-on-demand services, including Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime.

Causes of Action: Direct and contributory copyright infringement.

Relief Requested: Damages, injunctive relief, re-registration of the website domains.

Response: Crystal Clear Media didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Attorneys: Munger, Tolles, & Olson represented the entertainment companies.

The case is: Disney Enterprises, Inc. v. TTKN Enterprises, LLC, C.D. Cal., No. 2:20-cv-7274, 8/12/20.