UK: Sky takes legal action against local pub over football matches infringement

[Len]

National broadcaster Sky is taking legal action against a local bar over allegations it screened football matches without an appropriate subscription.

A case has been lodged against the Stag Inn, at Arbroath’s West Port, by Sky in the Court of Session, Scotland’s supreme civil court, which could see the pub fined.

The broadcaster alleges the bar has been showing Sky Sports football matches without the appropriate commercial subscription in place.

George Lawson, head of commercial piracy at Sky, told the Tele that lawyers’ attempts to contact the bar were met with silence.

Mr Lawson said: “We obtained evidence that the Stag Bar was showing Sky Sports broadcasts of football matches without having a commercial subscription agreement that allowed it to do so.

“Our solicitors wrote to the premises offering them a chance to settle the matter but received no response.

“We then sought, and were awarded, an interim interdict in April, preventing the premises’ licence holder and the designated premises manager from showing Sky content without a commercial subscription agreement from Sky.

“No response has been received by any of the defenders so we are proceeding with the court case.

“We remain open to discussing the case with the defenders but unless and until they contact our solicitors then we have no option but to proceed.

“This action forms a key part of our commitment to protecting pubs which invest in legitimate Sky Sports commercial subscriptions.”

Pubs and bars that wish to show Sky TV must pay a subscription, which differs from the packages offered to home customers.

Legitimate pub broadcasts can be identified by a tell-tale “pint glass” icon in the corner of the screen.

Sky’s civil case is directly addressed to the Stag Inn’s landlady, Jennifer Duguid.