Big Studios Shut Down Movie-Filtering Service

Major Hollywood studios have succeeded in shutting down, temporarily at least, a Utah-based service that allows users to stream “cleaned-up” versions of movies. The service, called VidAngel, allows users to stream their filtered product by way of a complicated pricing scheme that effectively provides their version for $1 a movie. Granting the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction, the judge in Los Angeles federal court said that the plaintiffs showed “a strong likelihood of success” with their claim that a VidAngel’s modus operandi violates copyright law. The plaintiffs are Walt Disney Co., Lucasfilm, 20th Century Fox Film and Warner Bros. Entertainment. VidAngel’s CEO says the company will appeal and will have the benefit of $10 million it has raised for that purpose in a public offering.