ZNBC Partner In Court Over ‘Double Tobela’

Star Times Media Company Zambia together with Top Star Communications Company have been sued in the Lusaka High Court by Cedar Point Technology Limited also known as Starsat TV for failure to meet the obligations of its agreement.
In its statement of claim Starsat TV contends that on 1st August 2014, it entered into an agent authorization agreement with Star Times under which Starsat was appointed as an agent for star times for the purpose of being a distributor of direct to home satellite products and services of Star Times.
Starsat states that in order for the agreement to be operational for the sale, promotion and management of Star Times brand, it invested a sum of one million US dollars and was granted a content service provider licence by IBA to last for 10 years.
But in disregard of the contractual obligation Star Times partnered with ZNBC to incorporate Top Star which has been conducting business with content similar to that of Starsat TV under the name of star times.
Starsat contends that despite Top Star not being registered with IBA, it has been using information on Starsat TV’s distribution channel and customer database on the basis of the agreement to promote the business of top star.
Starsat further states that by Star Times making the same content available to top star at no cost to subscribers has significantly damaged its business in breach of the non-competition clause.
Starsat is now seeking an order of injunction and wants the court to restrain Top Star whether by itself servants or agents from conducting business similar to that of Starsat TV under the name and brand Star Times.