BUSINESS BRIEFING / COURTS
- Share via
A series of lawsuits filed across the country allege that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Netflix Inc. benefited illegally when the world’s largest retailer exited the online DVD rental business in 2005.
Lawyer Daniel Becnel of Reserve, La., complained in a lawsuit filed this week in Baton Rouge, La., that Wal-Mart and Netflix improperly negotiated Wal-Mart’s departure from the online video market. He says the current rates are higher than they would have been if Wal-Mart had remained in the online DVD business.
When Wal-Mart quit the online DVD rental business, it converted its customers’ accounts to Netflix accounts. Netflix then began promoting Wal-Mart and Walmart.com as places to buy DVDs.
Inside the business of entertainment
The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
