If Time Warner Cable won’t give us CBS, can we give them a lawsuit?

Like a lot of Time Warner Cable subscribers, Ruben is pretty cheesed about the ongoing spat with CBS over how much money should be changing hands between the two media giants.

He’s wondering: Can’t we just sue Time Warner for breach of contract?

Sure, why not? I’ve seen plenty of lawsuits with less merit.

Here’s the problem, though. Time Warner Cable’s customer contract explicitly says the company’s service is offered “as is” and “as available.” That’s some pretty weaselly language, but what it seems to say is that you’ll take what you get.

The contract also has a so-called arbitration clause that can severely limit your ability to drag the company into court.

So a lawsuit might seem like a good idea, but it appears that Time Warner’s lawyers have given the company plenty of cover. For more, check out today’s Ask Laz video.

If you have a consumer question, email me at asklaz@latimes.com or contact me via Twitter @Davidlaz.