RealNetworks and MLBAM ended their three-year, $20m, deal in February. But a new deal was entered into, says Real, which requires the league to make its internet broadcasts of live games available in the RealNetworks media format.
MLB.com has recently made games available only in Microsoft’s Media Player format.
Said a RealNetworks spokesman: “We have worked with MLBAM since the beginning of the 2001 season to broadcast baseball games over the internet.
“Regrettably, MLBAM has refused to provide its live audio and video game broadcasts on MLB.com in RealNetworks format, forcing RealNetworks to file this suit to require MLBAM to perform its obligations to the letter and spirit of our contract. RealNetworks looks forward to resolving this matter quickly and serving baseball fans.”
According to some reports, MLBAM is on the verge of signing a new deal with Microsoft’s MSN portal to carry online coverage after the RealNetworks deal ended.
MLBAM has denied any wrong doing and said it will contest any legal battle.
The lawsuit filed in Seattle is just the latest blow for MLBAM. One of global sport’s most pioneering providers of online material, it was left red-faced after RealNetworks failed to renew the contract and found itself being accused of over-pricing any new contract in the media.
RealNetworks has filed suit against Major League Baseball Advanced Media – the internet arm of the league – in a US federal court to enforce a new contract over the streaming methods used by the league online.
