US media giant Viacom is suing Cablevision over an iPad app that it claims allows users to stream its content in breach of its licensing terms. paidContent.org reports the legal challenge comes just days after Viacom agreed to put a similar litigation against a Time Warner iPad app on hold.

According to the report, Viacom believes that if cable companies such as Cablevision want to transmit the shows and channels owned by Viacom to iPads, they need to pay a licensing fee. The cable firm argues that iPads are simply another screen in the household, and that they are already covered by the existing contracts, which don’t require additional payments for extra screens.

Like its complaint against Time Warner, Viacom’s suit alleges breach of contract and copyright and trademark infringement. It also claims that the unauthorised app prevents Viacom from getting an accurate measure of the size of the audience watching its programmes, which means it could lose out in advertising revenue. In addition, Viacom states that its “future business plan” includes selling its content to broadband content distributors and believes that the iPad streaming apps could jeopardize those plans.

“We have taken this action to protect our valuable content,” said a Viacom spokeswoman. “Over the last few months, we have had limited and unproductive discussions with Cablevision about licensing iPad rights. We remain open to productive discussions, but we cannot wait indefinitely while our networks are being distributed without permission.”

In a response, Cablevision noted that its “very popular Optimum App for iPad, which has been available to our customers for nearly three months, falls within our existing cable television licensing agreements with programmers – including Viacom.  It is cable television service on the iPad, which functions as a television, and is delivered securely to our customers in the home on Cablevision’s own proprietary network.”