Viacom sues Cablevision over iPad video app

(AP) -- Viacom, the owner of MTV, Comedy Central and other television channels, is suing cable TV distributor Cablevision over an iPad app that Viacom says streams video of its channels without permission.

Viacom Inc. is seeking an injunction to stop Cablevision from infringing on its copyright. It filed the lawsuit Thursday morning in New York.

Viacom says it has had "limited and unproductive" discussions with Cablevision about licensing the app. But Viacom says it cannot wait for an outcome while Cablevision is distributing its shows without its consent. The app launched on April 2 and is free for Cablevision's digital cable subscribers.

A Cablevision Systems Corp. spokesman says the company plans to comment later Thursday.

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