CBS Sues over 'Happy Days' and other series

Brock · April 22, 2012

You'd think with the sale of Crystal Cathedral they could afford to pay CBS.

CBS sues over 'Happy Days' and other series

By Tim Kenneally

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Surely, this is a situation to which the Fonz would give a thumbs-down.

CBS Television Distribution is suing ComStar Media and FamilyNet for allegedly airing several series, including "Happy Days" and "Family Ties," without paying licensing fees for the programs.

CBS is seeking more than $1.5 million in the suit, which was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in California.

According to the suit, CBS and FamilyNet entered a licensing agreement in December 2008, to license the series "Happy Days," "Family Ties," "My Three Sons" and "Early Edition," with FamilyNet paying license fees in both a down payment and monthly installments.

However, the suit says, after ComStar Media - a company owned by GodTube founder Chris Wyatt and "Hour of Power" minister Robert Schuller - acquired FamilyNet, the payments soon stopped coming in. :rolleyes: [that explains so much]

CBS claims that ComStar made a payment of somewhere over $100,000 in June 2010, but haven't made any installments since then. According to the suit, ComStar says that it isn't obligated to pay the license fees, because they didn't acquire FamilyNet's liabilities when they purchased it.

The suit names FamilyNet, ComStar Media, ComStar Networks, FamilyNet Management - which was set up by ComStar to acquire FamilyNet - and Resolute Media Atlanta.

FamilyNet has not yet responded to TheWrap's request for comment.

Alleging breach of contract and copyright infringement, CBS is seeking damages "at least in the amount of $1,546,880.08," plus court costs, attorney fees, and an injunction against the defendants.

FamilyNet bills itself as "America's trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing responsible, relevant, and entertaining viewing choices for today's diverse family."

ComStar emphasizes that it's a "family based business" on the company's website.

(Pamela Chelin contributed to this report)