CableVision has settled their 12-year legal battle with the Motion Picture Association of America, allowing the company to offer more channels.

The dispute had seen a coalition of US networks combine in a multi-million dollar lawsuit to accuse CableVision of pirating their programmes.

CableVision had tried to settle over the years with the networks which included Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Universal City Studios, Time Warner Entertainment Ltd, Tristar Pictures, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Disney Enterprises and Columbia Pictures Industries.

One estimate said CableVision had $23 million set aside to settle the action but Mr. Elmas refused to say yesterday how much money had changed hands.

He said he was elated to have sorted out the problem.

Telecommunications Ministry Director Greg Swan said: "The Minister is very pleased there has been a resolution to this long-standing dispute.