Disney vs. “The Chosen”: Unpacking the Legal Battle

Disney is suing VidAngel, the company that distributes “The Chosen,” not directly suing the show itself. The core of the legal battle revolves around copyright infringement. Disney alleges that VidAngel is illegally streaming copyrighted material without proper licensing agreements, thus impacting Disney’s revenue streams and violating its intellectual property rights.

The Heart of the Matter: Copyright Infringement

Disney, along with other major studios like Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, and NBCUniversal, initially filed the lawsuit against VidAngel back in 2016. VidAngel offered a streaming service that allowed users to filter out objectionable content (violence, nudity, language) from movies and TV shows. While this service resonated with a particular audience segment, the method employed by VidAngel was the legal sticking point.

How Did VidAngel Operate?

VidAngel would purchase physical copies of DVDs and Blu-rays, rip them onto its servers, filter the content based on user preferences, and then stream the filtered versions to its subscribers. This process, according to the studios, constituted copyright infringement because VidAngel didn’t have the right to copy, modify, or distribute the copyrighted content.

The Studios’ Perspective

The studios argued that VidAngel’s actions were undermining the carefully constructed licensing and distribution agreements they had in place. They rely on these agreements to generate revenue through various channels, including theatrical releases, home video sales, streaming services, and television licensing. By circumventing these established channels, VidAngel was allegedly depriving the studios of significant revenue.

VidAngel’s Defense

VidAngel initially argued that its service was protected under the Family Movie Act of 2005. This Act allows for the filtering of objectionable content in movies, but it specifically applies to technologies that don’t make permanent copies of the copyrighted material. VidAngel’s method of ripping DVDs onto its servers and creating filtered copies was deemed to violate this provision.

The Court’s Decision

The courts have largely sided with Disney and the other studios. Preliminary injunctions were issued against VidAngel, preventing them from continuing their original streaming service. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld these injunctions, solidifying the studios’ position.

Where Does “The Chosen” Fit In?

While the lawsuit initially focused on VidAngel’s filtering service for a broad range of movies and TV shows, “The Chosen” became entangled in the legal proceedings because VidAngel distributes the series. The studios are arguing that VidAngel’s ongoing distribution of “The Chosen” without proper licensing continues to infringe on their copyrights, even after the initial ruling against their filtering service. This is because VidAngel’s new model, while technically different, is still argued to operate without securing necessary licenses from copyright holders like Disney (who owns some of the content distributed through the platform).

VidAngel’s Current Status

Following the initial rulings, VidAngel restructured its business model. It now offers a streaming service that allows users to purchase movies and TV shows, including “The Chosen,” and then stream them through the VidAngel platform. However, the studios continue to argue that this new model still infringes on their copyrights because VidAngel doesn’t have the necessary licensing agreements to distribute the content.

The Implications for “The Chosen”

The ongoing legal battle between Disney (and other studios) and VidAngel has implications for the future distribution and availability of “The Chosen.” If VidAngel is ultimately found to be in violation of copyright law, it could be forced to cease distributing the series, potentially limiting its reach and accessibility to viewers.

FAQs: Understanding the Disney vs. VidAngel Case

Here are 12 frequently asked questions that provide further context and insights into the complex legal battle between Disney and VidAngel:

1. What is VidAngel?

VidAngel is a streaming service that allows users to purchase and stream movies and TV shows, and in the past offered filtering options for objectionable content.

2. What is the Family Movie Act of 2005?

The Family Movie Act of 2005 allows for the filtering of objectionable content in movies, but it only applies to technologies that don’t make permanent copies of the copyrighted material.

3. Why did Disney sue VidAngel?

Disney sued VidAngel for copyright infringement, alleging that VidAngel was illegally streaming copyrighted material without proper licensing agreements.

4. What other studios are involved in the lawsuit?

Besides Disney, other major studios involved in the lawsuit include Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, and NBCUniversal.

5. What was VidAngel’s original business model?

VidAngel originally allowed users to filter objectionable content from movies and TV shows streamed through its platform. It would purchase physical copies, rip them onto its servers, filter the content, and then stream the filtered versions to subscribers.

6. How did VidAngel defend itself in the lawsuit?

VidAngel initially argued that its service was protected under the Family Movie Act of 2005.

7. What was the court’s ruling on VidAngel’s filtering service?

The courts largely sided with the studios, issuing preliminary injunctions against VidAngel and preventing them from continuing their original filtering service.

8. How has VidAngel’s business model changed since the lawsuit?

VidAngel now offers a streaming service that allows users to purchase movies and TV shows, including “The Chosen,” and then stream them through the VidAngel platform.

9. Why is “The Chosen” involved in the lawsuit?

“The Chosen” is involved because VidAngel distributes the series. The studios argue that VidAngel’s ongoing distribution of “The Chosen” without proper licensing continues to infringe on their copyrights.

10. What are the potential implications for “The Chosen”?

If VidAngel is ultimately found to be in violation of copyright law, it could be forced to cease distributing “The Chosen,” potentially limiting its reach and accessibility to viewers.

11. What is a preliminary injunction?

A preliminary injunction is a court order that prevents a party from taking certain actions while a lawsuit is ongoing. In this case, the preliminary injunctions prevented VidAngel from continuing its original streaming service.

12. What are the ongoing legal arguments between Disney (and other studios) and VidAngel?

The studios continue to argue that VidAngel’s current business model still infringes on their copyrights because VidAngel doesn’t have the necessary licensing agreements to distribute the content, even under its “purchase” model. VidAngel maintains they are operating legally within the bounds of copyright law, a contention that remains to be decided definitively in court.

The Future of the Case

The legal battle between Disney and VidAngel continues to unfold. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of content distribution and copyright law in the digital age. The key question remains: can VidAngel legally distribute content, including “The Chosen,” without obtaining direct licensing agreements from copyright holders? This is something the courts will have to eventually answer. Until then, the situation remains fluid, and the availability of “The Chosen” through VidAngel hangs in the balance.