IceTV win ensures 'free' EPG still on track

The little guy has won out on the end, as Channel Nine has lost its case against IceTV in which it claimed that the company's IceTV Guide infringed the station's copyright.

Credit: IceTV

The decision was handed down at the Federal Court in Sydney this morning. According to IceTV's website, the court found that "IceTV did not and does not in any way breach Nine's copyright in creating its IceTV Guide" and that the guide was gained using IceTV's own "proprietary methodology and software applications".

"It's been a long wait and we are obviously very pleased with the outcome," IceTV's general manager Matt Kossatz said in a press release. "We remained confident in our position and have always contested Nine's claim".

"Today's decision is not only a win for a small Aussie owned media company, but more importantly a win for Aussie consumers", he said.

The judgement and court costs are expected to be released later, but the decision can only be seen as a boost to the widespread availability of an EPG (electronic program guide) for all free-to-air and cable customers.

Yesterday Foxtel announced it would broadcast Ten Digital with an EPG on its cable network from September 2007.