EU opens movie studio antitrust case

Brussels — The European Union has launched an antitrust case against six major U.S. movie studios, including Disney and Warner Bros., and British satellite firm Sky for restricting access.

The EU’s Executive Commission said Thursday it had sent a statement to the companies regarding what it says are “contractual restrictions” that prevent Sky offering its full service beyond Britain and Ireland.

The companies mentioned are NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Sony and Twentieth Century Fox as well as Disney, Warner Bros. and Sky UK.

“European consumers want to watch the pay-TV channels of their choice regardless of where they live or travel in the EU,” the EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said.