Three landlords have been convicted in their absence after showing Sky Sports in their pub without a commercial viewing licence.
Jared Macdonnchadha, Richard Rodal and Karen Turner of the Red Bull in Eccles, Kent were between them ordered to pay £10,820.28 in fines and costs.
The case was at Maidstone Magistrates Court was brought by anti-piracy organisation FACT.
Stephen Gerrard, FACT’s Prosecuting Manager said “Our aim is to help create an effective deterrent to publicans who endeavour to fraudulently show Sky content on their premises and FACT will continue to protect the intellectual property rights of its clients by pursuing those who continue to break the law”.
Sky visits thousand of pubs each year to monitor what is being shown – viewers will be familiar with the pint glass logo, indicating the appropriate licence fee had been paid.
“It’s important to us that businesses are aware of the consequences of showing Sky Sports illegally – it is a serious issue that is damaging to the pub industry, and those licensees who choose to televise content in this way should be aware that they are at high risk of being caught and face substantial penalties,” said George Lawson, head of commercial piracy, Sky.
Licensees can report suspected illegal broadcasting confidentially at www.pubpiracy.com.
