World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Canada, Inc Slams Pay-per-view Pirates

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2001--World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Canada, Inc. (NYSE: WWF - news) today filed a claim for a permanent injunction and damages in the Federal Court of Canada against more than 30 sports bars and commercial establishments across Canada who are infringing upon WWFE's intellectual property through their illegal and unauthorized distribution of its monthly live pay-per-view telecasts.

The claim seeks to immediately prohibit the defendants from distributing any further World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view programs and seeks more than $1.7 million (Canadian) in damages. This lawsuit is part of the company's global effort to prevent piracy and bootlegging of its intellectual properties.

World Wrestling Federation Entertainment produces and broadcasts monthly pay-per-view specialty live events throughout the world. World Wrestling Federation makes these specialty events available to sports bars and for private in-home viewing upon payment of a subscription fee.

``Halting this unauthorized and illegal broadcast of our intellectual property and television programming protects our fans and our numerous business partners,'' said Carl DeMarco, president, World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Canada, Inc. ``This initiative, together with our very active effort to seize counterfeit merchandise at retail stores and live WWFE events, will ensure than our fans continue to receive quality and authentic products.''

``Piracy affects those sports bars and commercial establishments that have purchased the programming legitimately and have invested in the promotion of these events. We are committed to making sure our business partners benefit from their investment in the World Wrestling Federation, so they will continue to offer top quality entertainment for our fans,'' DeMarco added.

Credit: Yahoo! News