Federal Court Issues Injunction To Prevent Canada

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Federal Court Issues Injunction To Prevent Canadian Bars From Illegally Showing World Wrestling Entertainment --TM-- Pay-Per-Views

 

Bars involved in Case Also Required to Pay WWE Treble Monetary Damages and Court Costs

 

Federal Court Issues Injunction to Prevent Canadian Bars from Illegally Showing World Wrestling Entertainment --TM-- Pay-Per-Views

 

TORONTO, Jan 13, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Bars involved in Case Also Required to Pay WWE Treble Monetary Damages and Court Costs

 

The Federal Court of Canada has issued an injunction that will prohibit bars in Canada from illegally showing pay-per-view events offered by World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., the company said today.

 

In a case against 37 bars across Canada, Mr. Justice Beaudry issued an injunction on January 6, 2004, against the bars from continuing their illegal use of WWE pay-per-views. He also ruled that each bar must pay WWE treble monetary damages plus court costs of CAD $1,500. A hearing to determine damages will be held in the next few weeks which award could be in excess of CAD $1 million dollars.

 

Carl DeMarco, President of WWE Canada, said that the bars in question had each shown pay-per-views illegally. Efforts by WWE to get bars in Canada to pay for the events and cease showing them illegally failed, forcing WWE to take the case to court seeking monetary and injunctive relief. DeMarco said it is easy for a bar or other commercial establishment to obtain a license to show WWE pay-per-views legally, and he encouraged all bars in Canada interested in showing WWE pay-per-views to enter into a legal agreement to do so. "WWE likes to be a good business partner, and we welcome the opportunity to work with bars or other commercial establishments in Canada to license our pay-per-views," DeMarco said.

 

The case is part of WWE's global efforts to crack down on the illegal use of its programs, products and intellectual property, said Ed Kaufman, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. "We are very serious in our efforts to protect WWE's intellectual property assets as well as the interests of those who choose to engage in business with us and legally obtain rights or licenses to the world recognized WWE brand," Kaufman said. "We are gratified that our efforts in Canada will put an end to this type of piracy and intend to take similar action whenever and wherever we find people engaging in illegal activities to steal or counterfeit any WWE intellectual property."

 

Kaufman and DeMarco credited K. William McKenzie of Crawford, McKenzie, McLean, Wilford, Anderson & Duncan of Orillia, Ont. and Ira Berg, WWE Vice President of Legal Affairs, with successfully litigating the case.

 

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For additional information on WrestleMania xx, to be broadcast live on pay-per-view from Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 14, 2004, go to wrestlemania.wwe.com.

 

Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks, which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

 

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated.

 

SOURCE: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

 

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Media contact: Gary Davis, 203-353-5066

Investor contact: Michele Goldstein, 203-352-8642

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

Hopefully the bar I go isn't cracked down on. Hey, they have a stained glass window of the old school WWF logo, that seems like an official viewing area, doesn't it?

[Styles 0]

Hopefully the bar I go isn't cracked down on. Hey, they have a stained glass window of the old school WWF logo, that seems like an official viewing area, doesn't it?

Expect that window to be broken...or at least blurred

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

In related news: 'Operation "Fuck Canada"' continues to be employed by the WWE.

 

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

In related news: 'Operation "Double Post"' continues to be employed by RRR.

 

[NoCalMike 0]

What is this "license to view WWE programming" shit? It's called PPV......you buy it and then it is for your personal use. If you choose to have 100 people with you to watch it in a bar then that is your choice. Unless they mean the bars are not paying the ppv and getting the ppvs through a black box.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

If the bar is paying for the PPV and not charging a door fee to get in, thus only charging patrons for drinks then its all legal. Vince once again proves he's a bitch.

[Guest T0rrent]

It's the same with boxing events. There paying the 35 bucks for the PPV to bring more money into the bar/resteraunt which is unfortunately illegal. Look at it more like licensing. When you buy a copy of M$ Winblows, it's supposed to only be installed on one computer and you have to pay a fee for each additional computer. It sucks, but it's the way america works.

[Guest wildpegasus]

It's the same with boxing events. There paying the 35 bucks for the PPV to bring more money into the bar/resteraunt which is unfortunately illegal. Look at it more like licensing. When you buy a copy of M$ Winblows, it's supposed to only be installed on one computer and you have to pay a fee for each additional computer. It sucks, but it's the way america works.

But this is Canada we're talking about.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Does WWE PPV's start with the "You can't show this in Bars" line?

[Guest T0rrent]

It's the same with boxing events.  There paying the 35 bucks for the PPV to bring more money into the bar/resteraunt which is unfortunately illegal.  Look at it more like licensing.  When you buy a copy of M$ Winblows, it's supposed to only be installed on one computer and you have to pay a fee for each additional computer.  It sucks, but it's the way america works.

But this is Canada we're talking about.

Doesn't matter. International licensing laws.

[Eclipse 0]

They should be doing that with their merchandise as well!

 

In some 99 cent over here, I saw wrestling figures being sold. Now, I look at the package and I see "Wrestling Federation Heroes"

 

On the package, I see a picture of Chris Benoit, but.......they edited his eyes to look crooked! On the back of it, you clearly see The Rock putting a sharpshooter on Benoit! Funniest rip off ever..