ABS-CBN files $8-M lawsuit vs drama site

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Corp. has filed a lawsuit against drama site kissasian.com in the US for infringement of trademarks and registered copyrights of the media and entertainment firm’s 27 television shows and movies, with damages amounting to over $8 million.

In a statement yesterday, ABS-CBN said it filed the case before the US Federal District Court as the website was carrying television shows and movies including “Be My Lady,” “Born for You,” “Dolce Amore,” “You’re Still the One,” “Etiquette for Mistresses,” and “Ex with Benefits,” without permission.

The filing of a lawsuit against the drama site is in line with ABS-CBN’s intention to beef up efforts in fighting piracy.

“We are stepping up our anti-piracy enforcement in 2017. These pirate sites often victimize our fans when they access these sites and are later attacked by malware which steals their financial and personal data,” Elisha Lawrence, ABS-CBN’s assistant vice president of Global Anti-Piracy said.

Apart from filing a lawsuit against kissasian.com, ABS-CBN was also awarded this week, an amended default judgment of nearly $11 million against 11 online streaming websites regularly showing pirated versions of the media and entertainment firm’s programs.

US District Judge William Dimitrouleas, in his amended default judgment, ordered the defendants to pay at least $1 million each in statutory damages to ABS-CBN.

Those ordered to pay statutory damages include Freepinoychannel.com, Pnoytambayantv.com, Lambingan.to, Pinoynetwork.to Tambaytayo.com and Pinoymovie.to.

The company had requested at least $2 million in statutory damages per counterfeit trademark used, as well as triple the defendants’ profits from the alleged infringement.