PRODUCER OF RIVERDALE AND DEGRASSI SUES ICRAVETV

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Attention News Editors:

PRODUCER OF RIVERDALE AND DEGRASSI SUES
ICRAVETV

    TORONTO, January 31 /CNW/ - Epitome Pictures Inc. joined with other
independent producers and broadcasters to file a lawsuit today against the
operators of the iCraveTV website - TV Radio Now Corp. and William Craig.
    The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Riverdale, Degrassi Junior
High and Degrassi High, have been illegally transmitted over the Internet via
the iCraveTV website.  A permanent injunction against the operators of the
website is being sought, as well as damages and other relief for the harm
alleged.
    While the website has stopped operation briefly to reconfigure its
operation to be in compliance with a temporary restraining order issued by a
U.S. court on January 28, that order does not by its terms deal with
transmissions by the website to computers in Canada and abroad.  ``It is
therefore essential that we ensure that the operation is stopped here in
Canada as well,'' said Linda Schuyler, Epitome president.
    ``We are a small company just like hundreds of other small television
producers across Canada whose future livelihood and very existence are
seriously threatened by iCraveTV and any similar operations which may spring
up,'' she said.  ``We believe that this lawsuit will establish a vital matter
of principle - those who risk time, effort and finances to create television
programs have the right to say when and how and who uses and exploits those
programs.  Otherwise, how could those risks ever be rewarded or even
justified?''
    Schuyler is also Chair of the Canadian Film and Television Production
Association (CFTPA), which represents more than 300 companies involved in
Canada's independent production industry from coast-to-coast.
    Epitome Pictures is a co-applicant in the lawsuit with Alliance Atlantis
Communications Inc., Global Television Network and Epitome's affiliate,
Playing With Time Inc.  McCarthy Ttrault is acting for the applicants.
    Information about Epitome is available at its website.



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For further information: Peter S. Grant, McCarthy Ttrault,
(416) 601-7620

EPITOME PICTURES INC.
has 2 releases in this database.

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