One of the most frequently asked questions we hear on many of our courses is around the screening of Premier League football matches and the law regarding satellite systems. Now we are not a law firm but we do know what happens in the pub trade!
There has been great confusion around this subject ever since the QC Leisure and Karen Murphy European Court of Justice case in 2012. Well, now the picture seems clearer. The legal way of showing Premier League football matches is by having a Sky Sports or BT Sports subscription package, the unlawful way is to have an unauthorised satellite system.
The Premier League had its first legal hearing against a publican for showing unauthorised broadcasts recently and the judge found in their favour, the judge in the high court stated that the pub was infringing the PL’s copyright. In fact he went on to say "the pub did not even have an arguable defence to make"! The pub has been ordered to pay damages, a minimum of £65000 in legal costs and has an injunction against it prohibiting further use of the unauthorised system. Oh dear, not a good outcome for the pub!
Here is a statement from the Premier League, "We will take action. Our message is clear, as the law has now been backed by the High court. If you receive a letter from us we will not hesitate in following this with court action. We have started our largest ever pub visits and investigation program, our partner ID enquires likely to visit 7,000 pubs by the end of the football season. Letters have gone out to thousands of pubs and the ball is rolling for civil proceedings to take place across the country".
So pretty clear that having got the judgement, they are on the warpath. Be warned!
Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of www.inn-dispensable.com Personal Licence Courses
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