SHERMAN - A satellite provider has filed a lawsuit against a Murphy restaurant claiming the restaurant used a residential satellite to provide programming to the public for commercial benefit.
Claiming violations of the Cable Communications Policy Act, DirecTV filed suit against Guadalupe Santibanez, individually and doing business as La Flor Mexican Grill and Cantina, also known as La Flor, on March 19 in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.
According to the lawsuit, on March 7, 2012, without having a commercial account with DirecTV the defendant allegedly displayed satellite programming to the public for commercial benefit or financial gain.
DirecTV argues that the defendant used a residential satellite subscription and account and moved the equipment to their business to utilize those services in a commercial environment.
The defendant is accused of violation of the Cable Communications Policy Act and civil conversion.
DirecTV is asking for an award of statutory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, interest and court costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Julie Cohen Lonstein of Lonstein Law Office P.C. in Ellenville, N.Y.
U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.
Case No. 4:13-cv-00154