High Court rules Swansea licensee broke copyright law with Premier League football screening
The Premier League released a statement after the hearing yesterday (January 30), which confirmed that the court awarded an injunction against the premises – the Rhyddings Hotel - barring further unlawful screenings, together with legal costs.
According to a BBC report, the licensee of the pub was ordered to pay £65,000, pending a final assessment of sum he owes.
The BBC also reported the League’s QC, Helen Davies, claimed the pub “breached strict copyright rules by showing live matches via a satellite card, issues by a Danish broadcaster, during which the Premier League's distinctive logo was depicted”.
This comes after the Premier League stated it had plans to prosecute 100 pubs and bars across England and Wales for broadcasting games using foreign satellite systems.
Premier League pleased with outcome
The Premier League released a statement after the case. A spokesman said: “We welcome confirmation from the High Court that the Rhyddings Hotel in Swansea was infringing our copyright with its broadcasts of Premier League football. We are pleased that the court awarded an injunction against the infringing premises together with an order for damages and payment of our costs.
“We are currently undertaking our largest ever investigations programme and have commenced legal action against several pubs and will continue to do so.
“Only Sky Sports and BT Sport are authorised to show live Premier League football in pubs in the UK and legitimate commercial subscriptions for use in pubs can be obtained from them.”
The Premier League said last week there was particular focus on pubs in south Wales, where 200 venues have been visited by an investigations firm.
In 2012 the European Court of Justice and the High Court ruled in the QC Leisure/Karen Murphy case that the Premier League has rights contained in its broadcasts that are protected by copyright law.
