Pub landlords fined for illegally showing Sky Sports
A LANDLORD and landlady have been fined for illegally showing Sky Sports without a proper agreement at their pub in Runcorn.
Jeremy and Elaine Burke were ordered to pay £6,555 in fines and costs at North Cheshire Magistrates’ Court over screenings at the Clarendon on Church Street.
They were prosecuted by intellectual property protection agency FACT after the broadcaster Sky brought civil proceedings against them.
Magistrates court papers said the allegations related to offences of receiving a programme with intent to avoid payment on December 4, December 10, January 25 and March 19.
Fact said Sky Sports can only be viewed in licensed premises in the UK with valid commercial viewing agreements in place.
Four FACT and Sky prosecutions concluded in May totalling more than £32,608 in fines and costs.
The other premises were in Liverpool, Ellesmere Port and Flint.
A Sky spokeswoman said the cases were part of the broadcaster’s commitment to protecting pubs who invest in legitimate subscriptions.
She said the company was committed to visiting every licensed premises reported by other publicans or organisations for illegally showing Sky.
George Lawson, Sky’s head of commercial piracy, said some licensees ‘think they are above the law’.
He said: “The law is clear – if you choose to televise content illegally then you run the very real risk of being caught and facing substantial penalties or a criminal conviction.
“The risks are not worth running.” ●