These are the first actions the Premier League has taken against pubs in Scotland and follow successful High Court injunctions, and costs awards of up to £65,000, made against dozens of pubs in England and Wales last season.
The pubs which the Premier League has commenced legal action against are the Drop and the Viceroy, both in Glasgow, and Monteiths in Gourock. Unauthorised foreign broadcasts of Premier League football which breach the League’s copyright have been shown in the pubs.
Interim interdicts – awarded by the Court of Session - are now in place against all three of the pubs.
A Premier League spokesman said the action was part of its largest ever investigations programme and it would continue to take action against pubs that screen football without the right commercial agreement.
Action
“We are also targeting the suppliers of systems which allow pubs to make illegal broadcasts of our matches. In December 2014 one supplier was jailed for nine months and we have commenced legal action against several others.
“Sky Sports and BT Sport make a significant investment in the Premier League’s live UK broadcasting rights which benefits the Premier League, the wider English game and beyond.
“We remind publicans that Sky Sports and BT Sport are the only authorised broadcasters of live Premier League football in the UK, and that legal action will be taken against pubs that show unauthorised broadcasts of our matches.”