Mintz, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. achieved a significant victory on behalf of C-SPAN in successfully defending the television network in an antitrust suit brought by video provider Sky Angel.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the claim that C-SPAN improperly withdrew its programming from Sky Angel in 2009 at the direction of a board that, the complaint alleged, colluded to competitively disadvantage Sky Angel. No factual context for any alleged board member agreement was provided, according to the court, which also said it would not undertake a breach of contract analysis without a record and specific allegations.

“On behalf of our client C-SPAN, we are delighted with the Court’s finding in this case,” said Bruce Sokler, Chair of the Antitrust Section of Mintz and a Member of the Firm.  “We are gratified that the judge recognized the frivolous nature of the plaintiff’s allegations and saw fit to dismiss the case.”

Mr. Sokler and Robert Kidwell, also a Member of the Firm practicing in the Antitrust Section, represented C-SPAN.