Streamer Locast Goes Dark Following Court Loss

Locast shut down service Thursday following a summary judgment court decision in favor of broadcasters suing the nonprofit streaming service for copyright infringement. In a notification on the Locast app, it said its nonprofit operating model “was designed from the very beginning to operate in accordance with the strict letter of the law” and that following the court summary judgment it's suspending operations immediately.

The decision to shut followed an email Locast sent users after the court ruling saying it disagreed with the finding and was exploring legal options but that it was ending its practice of interrupting service to solicit donations. The service infringes on broadcasters’ copyright, ruled U.S. District Court in Manhattan Judge Louis Stanton Tuesday. He granted summary judgment to plaintiffs that include CBS, Disney, Fox and NBCUniversal. See our report on that ruling here.

NAB urges “Locast to permanently cease operations as its continued service plainly violates federal copyright law,” a spokesperson emailed us now. Lawyers representing Locast didn't immediately comment.