Satellite football licensee guilty of copyright breach
A Portsmouth licensee faces a fine of almost eight thousand pounds after being found guilty of showing foreign satellite football in her pub.
Karen Murphy, licensee of the Red White and Blue in Southsea, was found guilty of two offences relating to breaching the FA Premier League's copyright after she was caught showing two Premiership matches using the Greek satellite channel NOVA Supersport.It's a travesty. It's all about money at the end of the day.Karen Murphy, licensee of the Red White and Blue in Southsea
Murphy - who was acquitted of a similar offence in June last year by the same judge - argued that she had sought legal advice after the trial and was told by her solicitor in that case, Paul Dixon of Molesworth, Bright & Clegg, that she was not acting illegally and could continue if she wished.
Previously AcquittedHowever, Judge Anne Arnold ruled that Murphy - who she acquitted last time because she felt she had not acted dishonestly - should have taken notice of the judgement and a letter she received soon after from her brewery, Fuller's, telling her that the system was illegal.
Judge Arnold said that Murphy should have been aware her solicitor was also representing foreign satellite suppliers and his legal advice "wasn't by any standards to be taken as impartial".
Murphy - who said she plans to appeal - told the Morning Advertiser outside court: "It's a travesty. It's all about money at the end of the day."
FA Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson said: "Although we don't take any pleasure in taking publicans to court, where they choose to ignore the law we feel there is little option.
"We are delighted with the clarity and strength of this ruling and hope it lays to rest once and for all the so-called debate over the illegal use of foreign satellite systems."
