Coop II
March 16th, 2000, 10:39 AM
Black market' dish sales blocked
Bell ExpressVu stops satellite TV retailer
By Robert Cribb
Toronto Star Business Reporter
Satellite television provider Bell ExpressVu has successfully forced a Toronto firm to stop selling so-called black market dishes - a move that analysts say could eventually cripple the industry.
The Ontario Superior Court decision issued yesterday by Mr. Justice Ian Nordheimer prevents Tedmonds & Co., a satellite dish retailer, from selling U.S. dishes that carry television signals from south of the border.
The injunction is in place until a final decision is rendered in Bell ExpressVu's suit against the company, launched in August.
``There is a strong case that (Tedmonds') activities are unlawful,'' Nordheimer concludes in his written decision. ``That fact suggests to me a strong reason for stopping the activities.''
And with non-Canadian dishes representing about 75 per cent of Tedmonds' business, the 22-year-old company will likely have to close its doors, said owner Ted Edmonds yesterday.
``It basically looks that way. If I don't have any income for six months, I can't pay for counsel. It's a sad day for freedom of choice in television viewing in Canada.''
While a 1997 Federal Court of Appeal decision confirmed the illegality of American satellite dishes, dealers say lower court decisions have actually protected their right to sell U.S. dishes in Canada.
Brian Dinsdale, chair of a national satellite distributor association, called ExpressVu's suit ``a disgusting use of corporate power designed to crush competition through litigation.''
But Ian Gavaghan, vice-president and general counsel for ExpressVu, said his company is cracking down on ``illegal competition,'' with more suits in store.
He said ExpressVu has already charged a Hamilton-area satellite distributor and has others in its sights.
``We're trying to bring a credibility to the marketplace,'' he said.
RCMP said earlier up to 30 firms were facing charges or equipment seizures.
Industry watchers say there may be one million illegal satellite dishes in Canada.
In addition to Bell ExpressVu, the only other licensed satellite TV distributor is Star Choice Communications Inc.
Bell ExpressVu stops satellite TV retailer
By Robert Cribb
Toronto Star Business Reporter
Satellite television provider Bell ExpressVu has successfully forced a Toronto firm to stop selling so-called black market dishes - a move that analysts say could eventually cripple the industry.
The Ontario Superior Court decision issued yesterday by Mr. Justice Ian Nordheimer prevents Tedmonds & Co., a satellite dish retailer, from selling U.S. dishes that carry television signals from south of the border.
The injunction is in place until a final decision is rendered in Bell ExpressVu's suit against the company, launched in August.
``There is a strong case that (Tedmonds') activities are unlawful,'' Nordheimer concludes in his written decision. ``That fact suggests to me a strong reason for stopping the activities.''
And with non-Canadian dishes representing about 75 per cent of Tedmonds' business, the 22-year-old company will likely have to close its doors, said owner Ted Edmonds yesterday.
``It basically looks that way. If I don't have any income for six months, I can't pay for counsel. It's a sad day for freedom of choice in television viewing in Canada.''
While a 1997 Federal Court of Appeal decision confirmed the illegality of American satellite dishes, dealers say lower court decisions have actually protected their right to sell U.S. dishes in Canada.
Brian Dinsdale, chair of a national satellite distributor association, called ExpressVu's suit ``a disgusting use of corporate power designed to crush competition through litigation.''
But Ian Gavaghan, vice-president and general counsel for ExpressVu, said his company is cracking down on ``illegal competition,'' with more suits in store.
He said ExpressVu has already charged a Hamilton-area satellite distributor and has others in its sights.
``We're trying to bring a credibility to the marketplace,'' he said.
RCMP said earlier up to 30 firms were facing charges or equipment seizures.
Industry watchers say there may be one million illegal satellite dishes in Canada.
In addition to Bell ExpressVu, the only other licensed satellite TV distributor is Star Choice Communications Inc.