'Happy Days' Is In The Center Of Another Legal Dispute - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-20-2012, 11:57 PM

CBS Television Distribution is suing family-minded ComStar Media for more than $1.5 million in allegedly owed license fees for such old series as Happy Days, Family Ties, My Three Sons and Early Edition. The shows have run on ComStar's FamilyNet Television, but according to a lawsuit filed this week in California federal court, the defendant has asserted the right to air the shows without paying for them.

ComStar Media is a Dallas-based company founded by Chris Wyatt and Christian minister Robert Schuller. Wyatt is reported to have worked at CBS himself before starting GodTube.com, a Christian version of YouTube, and then co-founding ComStar with the aim of distributing "clean" TV programming.

In 2009, ComStar acquired FamilyNet Television, which along with AmericanLife Television Network, allowed it to reach 50 million households. At the time of the acquisition, the company put out a press release that touted the acquisition as enabling it access to a library of sitcoms including CBS-owned Happy Days and My Three Sons.

In 2010, FamilyNet allegedly paid some of its license fees on the show, but ComStar is alleged to have failed to pay any of the remaining installment payments to CBS.

According to the complaint, the defendant has raised this argument for why it doesn't have to pay:

"ComStar and FNM have informed CBS that they have no obligation to make the payments due under the License Agreement because, they claim, when they acquired the assets of Family, they did not acquire the corresponding liabilities."

CBS says the network has shown the series anyway and that CBS never approved the assignment of Family's licensed rights to ComStar, "nor would it, without the complete assumption of all of the obligations to CBS including the payment of all amounts due to CBS under the License Agreement."

Represented by Bruce Isaacs at Wyman & Isaacs, CBS is suing for breach of contract and copyright infringement and demanding $1.6 million in money owed, punitive damages and a permanent injunction.

ComStar didn't respond to a request for comment.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr...ly-ties-314579

Big3sCompanyFan · 04-21-2012, 09:02 AM

Hope the actors get their share if they win.

robyrob · 04-21-2012, 11:18 AM

it seems kind of ridiculous for anyone to assume that they would just get something for nothing, but...

lawyers *shrug*

faraj · 04-27-2012, 01:10 AM

I hope this doesn't affect the remaining DVD releases for Happy Days, My 3 Sons, Mork and Mindy (only 1 season remaining), Laverne and Shirley, and Family Ties.

Big3sCompanyFan · 04-28-2012, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faraj

I hope this doesn't affect the remaining DVD releases for Happy Days, My 3 Sons, Mork and Mindy (only 1 season remaining), Laverne and Shirley, and Family Ties.

How are those shows related?

Only 4 seasons of Happy Days are on DVD??

All seasons of The Jeffersons should be on DVD too!

BigManMike · 04-28-2012, 01:10 PM

Those shows are all owned by CBS/Paramount.

Big3sCompanyFan · 04-29-2012, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigcookie

Those shows are all owned by CBS/Paramount.

So is the Jeffersons right?

faraj · 04-29-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

So is the Jeffersons right?

No, Jeffersons is from Sony Pictures DVD studio.

maxwell · 04-30-2012, 03:28 PM

As long as its not a music rights or cast issue, then I would guess that the DVD releases are still safe.

04-20-2012, 11:57 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	'Happy Days' Is In The Center Of Another Legal Dispute CBS Television Distribution is suing family-minded ComStar Media for more than $1.5 million in allegedly owed license fees for such old series as Happy Days, Family Ties, My Three Sons and Early Edition. The shows have run on ComStar's FamilyNet Television, but according to a lawsuit filed this week in California federal court, the defendant has asserted the right to air the shows without paying for them. ComStar Media is a Dallas-based company founded by Chris Wyatt and Christian minister Robert Schuller. Wyatt is reported to have worked at CBS himself before starting GodTube.com, a Christian version of YouTube, and then co-founding ComStar with the aim of distributing "clean" TV programming. In 2009, ComStar acquired FamilyNet Television, which along with AmericanLife Television Network, allowed it to reach 50 million households. At the time of the acquisition, the company put out a press release that touted the acquisition as enabling it access to a library of sitcoms including CBS-owned Happy Days and My Three Sons. In 2010, FamilyNet allegedly paid some of its license fees on the show, but ComStar is alleged to have failed to pay any of the remaining installment payments to CBS. According to the complaint, the defendant has raised this argument for why it doesn't have to pay: "ComStar and FNM have informed CBS that they have no obligation to make the payments due under the License Agreement because, they claim, when they acquired the assets of Family, they did not acquire the corresponding liabilities." CBS says the network has shown the series anyway and that CBS never approved the assignment of Family's licensed rights to ComStar, "nor would it, without the complete assumption of all of the obligations to CBS including the payment of all amounts due to CBS under the License Agreement." Represented by Bruce Isaacs at Wyman & Isaacs, CBS is suing for breach of contract and copyright infringement and demanding $1.6 million in money owed, punitive damages and a permanent injunction. ComStar didn't respond to a request for comment. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr...ly-ties-314579
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

04-21-2012, 11:18 AM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,159	it seems kind of ridiculous for anyone to assume that they would just get something for nothing, but... lawyers shrug
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04-27-2012, 01:10 AM	#4
faraj Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 03, 2004 Posts: 736	I hope this doesn't affect the remaining DVD releases for Happy Days, My 3 Sons, Mork and Mindy (only 1 season remaining), Laverne and Shirley, and Family Ties.
	__________________ John

04-21-2012, 09:02 AM	#2
Big3sCompanyFan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Posts: 2,493	Hope the actors get their share if they win.

04-28-2012, 01:10 PM	#6
BigManMike Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 25, 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,021	Those shows are all owned by CBS/Paramount.

04-30-2012, 03:28 PM	#9
maxwell Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 14, 2012 Posts: 25	As long as its not a music rights or cast issue, then I would guess that the DVD releases are still safe.