Amazon, Netflix And Studios Press Judge To Shut Down Kodi-Powered Streaming Device

[Len]

Amazon, Netflix and a group of major Hollywood studios are pressing a federal judge to reject TickBox's arguments that its streaming video device is legitimate.

"TickBox promotes and distributes TickBox TV for infringing use, and its customers use TickBox TV in precisely the manner that TickBox intends: to access infringing streams from unauthorized third-party sources," the content companies argue in papers submitted Friday to U.S. District Court Judge Michael Fitzgerald in the Central District of California.

The content owners make the argument as part of an attempt to convince Fitzgerald to issue an injunction prohibiting TickBox from continuing to distribute its device.

Amazon, Netflix and the other companies sued TickBox last October, arguing that the company's device -- powered by Kodi's open-source software -- encourages copyright infringement. The content companies alleged that TickBox uses add-ons that "scour the Internet" for pirated shows and then enables consumers to watch the programs.

Amazon and the others also argue that TickBox's user interface and advertising encourage infringement. When the lawsuit was filed, TickBox said on its website that its service will let users stop "wasting money with online streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime."

TickBox's interface also allegedly used to direct customers to add-ons that offered infringing content.

TickBox argued in papers filed with Fitzgerald that it isn't responsible for add-ons created by third parties that stream pirated videos. The company also recently revised some of the marketing language on its site, and made changes to its user interface.

But Amazon, Netflix and the others say they are entitled to an injunction despite TickBox's recent changes.

"TickBox cannot sweep aside its prior flagrant conduct," the companies argue. They add that even with the recent changes, TickBox's users can still access the "illicit add-ons" that the company allegedly displayed in the past. "The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that TickBox intentionally induces its customers to access unauthorized streams made by third-party sources," the content owners argue.

Fitzgerald is expected to hear arguments from both sides on January 29.