A Donegal pub licensee has been ordered to pay over €16,000 in damages for Sky Sports infringements.
Joseph McFadden, licensee of the Swilly Inn, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, has been ordered to pay €16,188 in damages for infringing Sky’s copyright by showing Sky Sports programming illegally in the premises.
It follows a successful legal action taken by Sky. A permanent court injunction prohibiting the licensee from showing Sky programming in the premises without the correct commercial viewing agreement from Sky Business has also been awarded, along with an order to give up any devices on which Sky’s copyright could be further breached.
This successful case comes from Sky’s instruction of intellectual property legal experts Addleshaw Goddard (Ireland) LLP and Sky say it forms a key part of their commitment to protecting pubs who invest in legitimate Sky Sports subscriptions.
Sky say they are committed to visiting every licensed premises reported by other publicans and/or organisations for illegally showing Sky and have arranged to visit hundreds of pubs each week in towns and cities across Ireland this upcoming season.
Sara Stewart, Head of Compliance at Sky Business added: “Now more than ever it’s important to protect the investment of our customers. Businesses that show Sky Sports illegally can leave our legitimate Sky subscribers feeling short-changed.
“We actively visit thousands of pubs every season to monitor the games they are showing to help protect hardworking Sky customers who are unfairly losing business due to this illegal activity.
“Venues who continue to televise content in this way are breaking the law, and are at risk of being caught, which can result in licensees being ordered to pay significant damages and legal costs to Sky, and/or losing their personal licence.”
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