Skip to main content

Zediva DVD streaming service ordered to shut down

Zediva (Black Swan)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Back in March, DVD streaming service Zediva raised a few eyebrows when it claimed to be able to offer streaming versions of just-released DVD movies using a novel approach: customers didn’t just rent the DVD remotely, they also rented a DVD player remotely, and received the output over the Internet. Zediva argued that their business model was no different than a traditional video rental store, but—unsurprisingly—the MPAA disagreed and filed suit for copyright infringement, claiming Zediva did not have the right to stream its members content. Now federal judge John F. Walker has agreed, granting a preliminary injunction that bars Zediva from providing streaming movies.

“Defendants are violating Plaintiffs’ exclusive right to publicly perform their Copyrighted Works,” Judge Walker wrote in his ruling. Walker ruled that damages to the movie studios outweighed any hardship Zediva might suffer as a result of the injunction.

“[The] decision is a great victory for the more than two million American men and women whose livelihoods depend on a thriving film and television industry,” said MPAA senior VP and associate general counsel Dan Robbins, in a statement (PDF)

Zediva has argued that granting the injunction would potentially destroy their business, and most industry watchers agree: the DVD streaming operation (apparently run off banks of DVD players in a Silicon Valley data center) is Zediva’s only current product or offering, and without being able to stream movies to customers, it’s hard to see how the company will continue operating. Nonetheless, the company apparently intends to pursue its case, vowing to stand up for consumers’ rights to watch DVDs they’ve rented, whether that be from a brick-and-mortar store or from an online service.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Want to stream in DTS:X? It’s coming in 2023 thanks to Disney+ and IMAX
Robert Downey Jr. In Avengers: Endgame.

In all the chaos and excitement that is CES 2023, you may have missed a quiet little announcement from Disney+ that could be music to your ears. Starting sometime in 2023, the streaming video service will be upgrading some of its premier Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) titles, like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, with the DTS:X 3D surround sound format.

It's an expansion of the IMAX Enhanced format that Disney+ already uses on some MCU content to provide a more spacious 1.90:1 aspect ratio for key scenes, instead of the usual 2.39:1 or 2.40:1 ratios that create horizontal black bars when viewed on TVs with a 16:9 screen.

Read more
Philo: Everything to know about the live TV streaming service
Philo TV screenshot

Cutting the cable cord isn't necessarily cheaper than paying for cable anymore. Many top streaming services offer massive channel lineups compared to cable, but after paying for them (and your internet connection), you may just be breaking even.

But do cord cutters really need extensive channel offerings? Philo, a live TV streaming service that's a competitor to Sling TV and other live TV streamers, believes the answer is no.

Read more
Hulu with Live TV vs. Sling TV: Which streaming service is right for you?
Sling TV DVR

Live TV streaming services can offer a great alternative to traditional cable and help you cut the cord. Besides offering a lot of on-demand content, you can also catch up with sports games, your afternoon soap opera, or talk shows. Things can get pretty confusing when you are trying to figure out which live TV service to go with, though. Two of the more popular options are Hulu with Live TV versus Sling TV. We will go over all the details in this article to help you figure out if one of these live TV services is right for you.
What is the content like on each?

A streaming TV service isn't worth a dime if you can't watch what you want. Thankfully, both Hulu with Live TV (also known as Hulu + Live TV) and Sling TV will let you view many of your favorite channels, but they each work a little differently.
Hulu with Live TV
Although this pricing plan will change in December 2022, currently, Hulu with Live TV only has one primary subscription option, which contains almost everything in its catalog. Most customers can expect to find the four major networks -- ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC -- represented via their local affiliates (though this varies by region), as well as a number of major cable channels such as FX, USA, and TNT, 24-hour news networks such as CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, and sports channels such as ESPN and Fox Sports 1. The actual channel lineup varies by location, so if there's one channel that's make-or-break for you, check Hulu's listings for your region before signing up.

Read more