Quibi may be gone, but the legal battles over the doomed Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman run short-form subscription video service have continued – until now.
A year and a half after Elliott Management-backed interactive-video company Eko accused the then soon-to-launch Quibi of stealing the technology behind the much touted Turnstyle feature, the likely exhausted parties have struck a deal.
Set to be filed in federal court in the next few days for official confirmation, Quibi corporate successor Qbi Holdings, LLC and Eko have agreed to end their lawsuits against each other. Details of the deal are confidential, but no money changed hands, Deadline hears.
At one point in the lawsuits, Eko had been asking for just over $96 million from Quibi.
What has changed hands today is the Turnstyle IP and tech.
Allowing viewers to literally flip their devices for whole new aspects of particular programming, the much-hyped smartphone feature...
A year and a half after Elliott Management-backed interactive-video company Eko accused the then soon-to-launch Quibi of stealing the technology behind the much touted Turnstyle feature, the likely exhausted parties have struck a deal.
Set to be filed in federal court in the next few days for official confirmation, Quibi corporate successor Qbi Holdings, LLC and Eko have agreed to end their lawsuits against each other. Details of the deal are confidential, but no money changed hands, Deadline hears.
At one point in the lawsuits, Eko had been asking for just over $96 million from Quibi.
What has changed hands today is the Turnstyle IP and tech.
Allowing viewers to literally flip their devices for whole new aspects of particular programming, the much-hyped smartphone feature...
- 9/15/2021
- by Dominic Patten and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Jeffrey Katzenberg’s Quibi went very close to the mattresses today in federal court in its ongoing rumpus with the now Elliott Management-backed interactive-video company over motion flipping technology.
“This is a case built on circumstantial evidence,” Quibi’s top outside counsel Michael Jacob proclaimed in a telephone hearing Thursday addressing the Jbf Interlude 2009 Ltd controlled company’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the April 6-launched A-lister packed mobile streamer.
“It’s just statements that he might have, could have,” the Morrison and Foerster Llp lawyer asserted of the role of one-time Snap (Aka Snapchat) employee Clifton Smith, who subsequently moved over to the Meg Whitman-run outlet.
Kicked off with a preemptive March 9 complaint for declaratory judgment by Quibi itself, Eko’s subsequent swirl of alleged tech sticky fingers and the suppose “irreparable harm” that Smith and fellow ex-Snapper Joseph Burfitt, brought to the matter, as...
“This is a case built on circumstantial evidence,” Quibi’s top outside counsel Michael Jacob proclaimed in a telephone hearing Thursday addressing the Jbf Interlude 2009 Ltd controlled company’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the April 6-launched A-lister packed mobile streamer.
“It’s just statements that he might have, could have,” the Morrison and Foerster Llp lawyer asserted of the role of one-time Snap (Aka Snapchat) employee Clifton Smith, who subsequently moved over to the Meg Whitman-run outlet.
Kicked off with a preemptive March 9 complaint for declaratory judgment by Quibi itself, Eko’s subsequent swirl of alleged tech sticky fingers and the suppose “irreparable harm” that Smith and fellow ex-Snapper Joseph Burfitt, brought to the matter, as...
- 5/7/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Digital video company Eko has asked a federal judge on Wednesday for an injunction against Quibi, claiming the deep-pocketed startup, led by Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman, misappropriated trade secrets and infringed on its patented technology.
Eko’s motion is the latest chapter in the ongoing feud between the Israeli company and Los Angeles-based Quibi. At the center of the Eko-Quibi battle is Turnstyle, a feature on Quibi’s app that will let viewers seamlessly shift between vertical and landscape video. Last Month, Quibi sued Eko, claiming it did not steal any company secrets relating to Turnstyle; a day later, Eko sued Quibi, saying it lifted the technology after executives from both companies met years earlier.
“Quibi’s actions have had a devastating effect on Eko’s goodwill in the marketplace, causing it significant harm which cannot be quantified,” Eko’s motion said on Wednesday. “Previously viewed as having ground-breaking,...
Eko’s motion is the latest chapter in the ongoing feud between the Israeli company and Los Angeles-based Quibi. At the center of the Eko-Quibi battle is Turnstyle, a feature on Quibi’s app that will let viewers seamlessly shift between vertical and landscape video. Last Month, Quibi sued Eko, claiming it did not steal any company secrets relating to Turnstyle; a day later, Eko sued Quibi, saying it lifted the technology after executives from both companies met years earlier.
“Quibi’s actions have had a devastating effect on Eko’s goodwill in the marketplace, causing it significant harm which cannot be quantified,” Eko’s motion said on Wednesday. “Previously viewed as having ground-breaking,...
- 4/1/2020
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Quibi, the upcoming mobile-only streaming service led by CEO Meg Whitman and founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, is arguing that one of its app’s standout features does not violate a patent held by digital video company Eko, according to a lawsuit filed by Quibi Monday.
At the heart of the matter is Turnstyle, Quibi’s technology for detecting how a viewer is holding their phone and whether a video should display in landscape or portrait mode. Quibi, which is set to launch on April 6, debuted the feature at CES in Las Vegas in January. It was soon after this conference, the lawsuit claims, that Eko allegedly claimed Quibi unlawfully lifted its technology and allegedly “embarked on a campaign of threats and harassment to coerce money or a licensing deal from Quibi.”
Katzenberg had met with Eko CEO Yoni Bloch in March 2017, according to the lawsuit, over a potential investment. Katzenberg “barely remembers the meeting,...
At the heart of the matter is Turnstyle, Quibi’s technology for detecting how a viewer is holding their phone and whether a video should display in landscape or portrait mode. Quibi, which is set to launch on April 6, debuted the feature at CES in Las Vegas in January. It was soon after this conference, the lawsuit claims, that Eko allegedly claimed Quibi unlawfully lifted its technology and allegedly “embarked on a campaign of threats and harassment to coerce money or a licensing deal from Quibi.”
Katzenberg had met with Eko CEO Yoni Bloch in March 2017, according to the lawsuit, over a potential investment. Katzenberg “barely remembers the meeting,...
- 3/9/2020
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Dbp Donut, the content studio founded by Mark and Jay Duplass, has entered into a partnership with the interactive entertainment company Eko to develop and produce a slate of new live-action series.
Each narrative series will be interactive allowing the audience to “shape the story as it unfolds,” resulting in experiences that are unique to each viewer. The first series, which has yet to be named, is expected to debut sometime in 2019. However, where the content will be distributed has yet to be determined, according to the companies.
In the past, Eko has co-developed interactive series for top studios, including the comedy “That Moment When” with Olive Bridge Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment, and the drama “#WarGames” with Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Now the interactive company is looking to expand on its experience by working with the Duplass brothers, who Yoni Bloch, CEO of Eko, describes as “crazy geniuses.”
Also Read: Duplass Brothers,...
Each narrative series will be interactive allowing the audience to “shape the story as it unfolds,” resulting in experiences that are unique to each viewer. The first series, which has yet to be named, is expected to debut sometime in 2019. However, where the content will be distributed has yet to be determined, according to the companies.
In the past, Eko has co-developed interactive series for top studios, including the comedy “That Moment When” with Olive Bridge Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment, and the drama “#WarGames” with Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Now the interactive company is looking to expand on its experience by working with the Duplass brothers, who Yoni Bloch, CEO of Eko, describes as “crazy geniuses.”
Also Read: Duplass Brothers,...
- 10/25/2018
- by Matt Lopez
- The Wrap
Mark and Jay Duplass have set a deal with interactive media firm Eko to develop a slate of live-action series.
The pact calls for the brothers’ Dbp Donut banner to produce series rooted in Eko’s proprietary technology that allows viewers to seamlessly shape stories as they unfold.
Eko, a digital media firm based in Israel and New York, recently secured a $250 million investment from Walmart to develop content for the retail giant’s platform, although the Duplass pact is separate from the Walmart partnership. Eko’s investors also include former CBS senior executive Nancy Tellem, who serves as chairman.
The content will likely be short-form at the outset. Dbp Donut is the brothers’ production banner for creative and branded entertainment content. It’s not yet clear if the Eko series will incorporate marketing messages.
Mark Duplass told Variety that he was drawn to the deal with Eko because of...
The pact calls for the brothers’ Dbp Donut banner to produce series rooted in Eko’s proprietary technology that allows viewers to seamlessly shape stories as they unfold.
Eko, a digital media firm based in Israel and New York, recently secured a $250 million investment from Walmart to develop content for the retail giant’s platform, although the Duplass pact is separate from the Walmart partnership. Eko’s investors also include former CBS senior executive Nancy Tellem, who serves as chairman.
The content will likely be short-form at the outset. Dbp Donut is the brothers’ production banner for creative and branded entertainment content. It’s not yet clear if the Eko series will incorporate marketing messages.
Mark Duplass told Variety that he was drawn to the deal with Eko because of...
- 10/25/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Walmart has set up a joint venture with interactive video firm Eko to develop cutting-edge entertainment and advertising content that the retail behemoth hopes will drive more customers to its digital platforms.
Walmart has made an investment of about $250 million in Eko, a company based in New York and Tel Aviv that counts former CBS senior executive Nancy Tellem among its investors. Eko CEO Yoni Bloch will head the joint venture, dubbed W*E Interactive Ventures.
The plan calls for W*E to develop a range of content for Walmart’s website and its Vudu video service. Some of that might be branded entertainment and advertising-oriented and some may be purely entertainment based. Eko is known for its innovative technology that allows users to select storytelling options as the content unfolds.
The deal with Eko is part of a larger effort within Walmart to focus on entertainment and original content that...
Walmart has made an investment of about $250 million in Eko, a company based in New York and Tel Aviv that counts former CBS senior executive Nancy Tellem among its investors. Eko CEO Yoni Bloch will head the joint venture, dubbed W*E Interactive Ventures.
The plan calls for W*E to develop a range of content for Walmart’s website and its Vudu video service. Some of that might be branded entertainment and advertising-oriented and some may be purely entertainment based. Eko is known for its innovative technology that allows users to select storytelling options as the content unfolds.
The deal with Eko is part of a larger effort within Walmart to focus on entertainment and original content that...
- 10/11/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Retail giant Walmart has partnered with interactive media startup Eko to create content that allows retail customers to go beyond basic personalization to more immersive narrative entertainment offerings.
The joint venture to create interactive storytelling aims to surpass traditional media by creating offerings like cooking shows and interactive toy catalogues that allow viewers to participate in and shape stories as they are being told, Walmart said.
The venture, known as W*E Interactive Ventures, will be led by Eko CEO Yoni Bloch and will include the participation of Tribeca Productions co-founder Jane Rosenthal as a strategic adviser. Nancy Tellem, chief media ...
The joint venture to create interactive storytelling aims to surpass traditional media by creating offerings like cooking shows and interactive toy catalogues that allow viewers to participate in and shape stories as they are being told, Walmart said.
The venture, known as W*E Interactive Ventures, will be led by Eko CEO Yoni Bloch and will include the participation of Tribeca Productions co-founder Jane Rosenthal as a strategic adviser. Nancy Tellem, chief media ...
- 10/11/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The classic 1983 Matthew Brodrick film WarGames is being revived for a modern audience. The film is the inspiration for a new interactive series called #WarGames in which viewers can finally answer the AI’s iconic taunt: “Shall we play a game?” Instead of focusing on Cold War paranoia like the original movie, this series will focus on "modern espionage, hacking and government conspiracy."
We've got a new trailer for you to watch today that gives us our first real look at the series and what the experience will be like. It actually looks really cool! The interactive series will launch on mobile, HelloEko.com, Vudu.com and Steam later this month.
The story follows a character named Kelly (Jess Nurse), "an ex-military brat turned hacker activist, as she and a team of international hackers band together in an attempt to bring about peace. As events escalate, they may have done more harm than good.
We've got a new trailer for you to watch today that gives us our first real look at the series and what the experience will be like. It actually looks really cool! The interactive series will launch on mobile, HelloEko.com, Vudu.com and Steam later this month.
The story follows a character named Kelly (Jess Nurse), "an ex-military brat turned hacker activist, as she and a team of international hackers band together in an attempt to bring about peace. As events escalate, they may have done more harm than good.
- 3/1/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Interlude, the digital media company known for creating clever interactive projects like this Bob Dylan music video and this Scream-inspired choose-your-own-adventure series, is changing its name. It has become Eko, which previously referred to the distribution platform on which Interlude shared its most exciting work.
The change highlights Eko’s prowess as a company that can create and distribute innovative content for its brand partners. The latest project to arrive on the website helloeko.com, for example, is a partnership with the Detroit Pistons that simulates one-on-one action between viewers and NBA players. Several more hyped projects are in the works, including a pact between Eko and MGM that will turn the movie WarGames into an interactive experience.
“There’s an entire generation who are as much creators as they are consumers,” said Yoni Bloch, CEO of Eko, in a press release. “They’re creators because they shape their stories through social media,...
The change highlights Eko’s prowess as a company that can create and distribute innovative content for its brand partners. The latest project to arrive on the website helloeko.com, for example, is a partnership with the Detroit Pistons that simulates one-on-one action between viewers and NBA players. Several more hyped projects are in the works, including a pact between Eko and MGM that will turn the movie WarGames into an interactive experience.
“There’s an entire generation who are as much creators as they are consumers,” said Yoni Bloch, CEO of Eko, in a press release. “They’re creators because they shape their stories through social media,...
- 12/19/2016
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Interlude has picked a new Hollywood partner. The studio, known for creating interactive videos, has landed an investment from Sony Pictures Entertainment.
An exact dollar figure for the deal was not announced, though Variety describes it as a “multi-million dollar strategic investment.” The funding is specifically directed toward Interlude’s Eko platform, on which the studio posts its most exciting projects.
Since 2010, when it was founded by Israeli musician Yoni Bloch, Interlude has gained plaudits for its creative productions, which engage viewers in immersive and seamless ways. The studio’s most notable productions include a music video it launched to promote a Bob Dylan box set and an interactive series of choose-your-own-adventure videos it used to gather hype for MTV’s Scream.
Over the past year, Interlude has deepened its relationship with Hollywood. Most significantly, it teamed with MGM for a video experience related to the 1983 film WarGames that will go live on Eko at a later date.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
An exact dollar figure for the deal was not announced, though Variety describes it as a “multi-million dollar strategic investment.” The funding is specifically directed toward Interlude’s Eko platform, on which the studio posts its most exciting projects.
Since 2010, when it was founded by Israeli musician Yoni Bloch, Interlude has gained plaudits for its creative productions, which engage viewers in immersive and seamless ways. The studio’s most notable productions include a music video it launched to promote a Bob Dylan box set and an interactive series of choose-your-own-adventure videos it used to gather hype for MTV’s Scream.
Over the past year, Interlude has deepened its relationship with Hollywood. Most significantly, it teamed with MGM for a video experience related to the 1983 film WarGames that will go live on Eko at a later date.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 6/16/2016
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Interlude is raising a serious amount of cash. The interactive video company has announced a funding round worth $18.2 million; Notable participants include major media companies like MGM, Warner Music, and Samsung.
The funding round, which also includes contributions from previous investors Sequoia Capital and Intel Capital, will allow Interlude to expand the innovative video format for which it is best known. In particular, the new capital will help Interlude as it produces more serial content, expands its network of creative partners, and further develops its technology.
“Though video has always been a very powerful storytelling medium, it has not, to date, been able to adjust and adapt from viewer to viewer,” said Yoni Bloch, founder and CEO of Interlude, in a press release. “But we are aiming to allow filmmakers and content to form a unique connection with each viewer. This has the potential to change the relationship between film and individual audience members.
The funding round, which also includes contributions from previous investors Sequoia Capital and Intel Capital, will allow Interlude to expand the innovative video format for which it is best known. In particular, the new capital will help Interlude as it produces more serial content, expands its network of creative partners, and further develops its technology.
“Though video has always been a very powerful storytelling medium, it has not, to date, been able to adjust and adapt from viewer to viewer,” said Yoni Bloch, founder and CEO of Interlude, in a press release. “But we are aiming to allow filmmakers and content to form a unique connection with each viewer. This has the potential to change the relationship between film and individual audience members.
- 12/8/2015
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
MGM’s taking a serious interest in Interlude — the interactive video firm founded by Israeli musician Yoni Bloch that this year signed former CBS and Microsoft exec Nancy Tellem to be Executive Chairman and Chief Media Officer. The studio just led an $18.2 million funding round for Interlude, with CEO Gary Barber joining as Board Observer. The investment follows MGM Television’s deal to create an original digital short inspired by its film WarGames. Interlude plans to use…...
- 12/8/2015
- Deadline TV
A 32-year-old movie will be reinvented in a slick new format. Interlude, a media company known for creating interactive videos, has announced a partnership with MGM through which it will create an interactive version of the hit 1983 film WarGames.
WarGames, which starred Matthew Broderick as a young hacker who inadvertently hacks into a Us military supercomputer and narrowly avoids starting World War III, has persisted as a 80s classic, and Interlude's version of the film will allow viewers to affect the narrative through their choices. The result will likely be similar to the "choose-your-own-adventure" video Interlude made for MTV's Scream--a hybrid short film/video game that excites viewers and pulls them into the action.
For Interlude, the WarGames project will be yet another opportunity to show off its proprietary technology. MGM, on the other hand, will generate renewed excitement for a title that can easily stir up plenty of nostalgic feelings.
WarGames, which starred Matthew Broderick as a young hacker who inadvertently hacks into a Us military supercomputer and narrowly avoids starting World War III, has persisted as a 80s classic, and Interlude's version of the film will allow viewers to affect the narrative through their choices. The result will likely be similar to the "choose-your-own-adventure" video Interlude made for MTV's Scream--a hybrid short film/video game that excites viewers and pulls them into the action.
For Interlude, the WarGames project will be yet another opportunity to show off its proprietary technology. MGM, on the other hand, will generate renewed excitement for a title that can easily stir up plenty of nostalgic feelings.
- 10/13/2015
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
The 1983 hacker film WarGames will soon be rebooted as an interactive video with new characters and plots, allowing viewers to decide where the action will go. Variety reports that the "digital remake" will come out early next year.
The original movie took place during the Cold War and revolved around a young hacker, played by Matthew Broderick, who stumbles into the U.S. government's War Operation Plan Response supercomputer, which calculated the probability of nuclear winter. Thinking it's a game, he runs a simulation and ostensibly threatens the world with...
The original movie took place during the Cold War and revolved around a young hacker, played by Matthew Broderick, who stumbles into the U.S. government's War Operation Plan Response supercomputer, which calculated the probability of nuclear winter. Thinking it's a game, he runs a simulation and ostensibly threatens the world with...
- 10/13/2015
- Rollingstone.com
Since Vine and Instagram Video became household names, a number of similar apps have popped up, each one looking to grab a piece of the video capture pie. The last startup looking to compete in this area is Hykoo, and it puts an artsy spin on short form video.
Hykoo, like many other video capture apps, puts a length cap on all user videos. In this case, runtime is limited to 12 seconds, but Hykoo gets even more granular than that: Each of its productions are split into three smaller videos: A three-second intro, a three-second middle, and a six-second conclusion. Poetry readers will note the resemblance to the app's namesake, which is split into lines of five, seven, and five syllables.
A video that shows the app in action can be found on Hykoo's website.
While its lyrical format is a cute twist, Hykoo's most head-turning asset is its executive team.
Hykoo, like many other video capture apps, puts a length cap on all user videos. In this case, runtime is limited to 12 seconds, but Hykoo gets even more granular than that: Each of its productions are split into three smaller videos: A three-second intro, a three-second middle, and a six-second conclusion. Poetry readers will note the resemblance to the app's namesake, which is split into lines of five, seven, and five syllables.
A video that shows the app in action can be found on Hykoo's website.
While its lyrical format is a cute twist, Hykoo's most head-turning asset is its executive team.
- 4/20/2015
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Back in 1965, Bob Dylan didn’t think to make a music video for his much-beloved song “Like a Rolling Stone,” and now in 2013 it seems that’s been taken care of.
The Interlude digital agency has put together an uber-creative treatment for the track, including 16 different television channels on which various personalities lip-synch along to Bob’s voice.
Director Vania Heymann explained, "I'm using the medium of television to look back right at us. You're flipping yourself to death with switching channels [in real life]."
Interlude CEO Yoni Bloch chimed in, "You'll always miss something because you can't watch everything at the same time."
Heymann and the folks at Interlude utilized footage from “The Price is Right,” “Pawn Stars,” and different local news stations, cartoons, a tennis match, and actual footage of Dylan himself.
The Interlude digital agency has put together an uber-creative treatment for the track, including 16 different television channels on which various personalities lip-synch along to Bob’s voice.
Director Vania Heymann explained, "I'm using the medium of television to look back right at us. You're flipping yourself to death with switching channels [in real life]."
Interlude CEO Yoni Bloch chimed in, "You'll always miss something because you can't watch everything at the same time."
Heymann and the folks at Interlude utilized footage from “The Price is Right,” “Pawn Stars,” and different local news stations, cartoons, a tennis match, and actual footage of Dylan himself.
- 11/20/2013
- GossipCenter
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.