Belsat TV vs BELSATplus: claims substituted (upd)


The company that sued our channel has substituted their claims: BELSATplus does not any more insist on making satellite ASTRA stop Belsat’s transmission. The hearing is to be continued tomorrow at 10:00.

Andrey Belyakou, the owner of BELSATplus company, still claims that television Belsat TV has been illegally using its trade mark and wants the court to ban us from it.

{movie}Belsat TV in court: our official representative’s comment (English subs)|right|14333{/movie}

‘Today the Supreme Court has held the first hearing of case Belyakou vs Belsat TV. Our opponent has turned down half the claims. The case may seem to lie in economic, not political field but it does bear a strong relation to the freedom of expression in Belarus. We hope that the court will take a favourable decision for us, which will prove that in Belarus justice does exist and one stands the opportunuty of finding it,’ Mikhas Yanchuk, the channel’s official representative, said.

Our TV channel and its domain name were registered in Poland. As we do not broadcast from the territory of Belarus the trade mark does not fall within its jurisdiction. Furthermore, the channel is registered as Belsat TV; the registration name of the unitary enterprise is BELSATplus (certificate No 190991566).

Mr Belyakou’s company sells satellite and cable TV equipment. In conformity with the law, one cannot block a trade mark unless it is used in the field given, i.e. broadcasting and production of TV programs). BELSATplus has not been engaged in the activities mentioned.

www.belsat.eu/en

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