Sky's the limit, pub landlords warned over sport

**chris** · 25-04-2008

This is Hertfordshire reports that landlords in Borehamwood could face hefty fines if found broadcasting Premier League football via foreign satellite systems.

Hertfordshire Trading Standards is warning pubs that BSkyB and Setanta hold the exclusive rights to air Premier League matches in the UK and are reminding licensed premises owners that use of any other satellite system to broadcast games counts as copyright theft.

Guy Pratt, head of Hertfordshire Trading Standards, said: "Showing these games without a licence is the equivalent of stealing and will not be tolerated."
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Anyone found using such equipment risks having it seized as well as a fine of up to £5,000 or even imprisonment. Pubs broadcasting matches illegally also risk having their alcohol licence reviewed.

Mr Pratt said: "If you think buying cheap foreign satellite systems is a quick and easy way to boost profits at your pub, think again. It could cost you thousands of pounds, your livelihood and even your freedom."

But Morgan O'Brien, landlord of The Cannon pub, and chairman of Borehamwood and District Pubwatch, said landlords are being put under excessive pressure because of increasing legislation.

He said: "It's illegal trading, and no experienced pub-owner would do it. However, rates for BSkyB and Setanta are excessive. Pubs have been hit very badly recently with the smoking ban and the price of alcohol going up. I think some of the new stipulations and legislations are ridiculous."

The former landlord of the Shooting Star, in Rossington Avenue, Borehamwood, was fined £6,000 last May for broadcasting Sky illegally.

For more information on the Trading Standards legislation, call 01727 813849. For consumer enquiries, call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

betas · 25-04-2008

using a private veiwing card in a public place look for truble sorry to say its like pub should get togeter and get a good deal from sly

Bananas · 13-08-2008

Does anyone know how this law affects private members clubs where the club is effectively owned by its members who pay a membership fee, then elect a comittee to represent them who in turn appoint a club manager who decides to install digitalb because Sky is a rip off? Bearing in mind the recent referal by a judge to the European court? Is this illegal? If so who is liable, the members, comittee, club manager or all?

**Topper** · 13-08-2008

Originally Posted by Bananas

Does anyone know how this law affects private members clubs where the club is effectively owned by its members who pay a membership fee, then elect a comittee to represent them who in turn appoint a club manager who decides to install digitalb because Sky is a rip off? Bearing in mind the recent referal by a judge to the European court? Is this illegal? If so who is liable, the members, comittee, club manager or all?

A private club is still governed by the law and unless you use a SKY subscription which displays the glass on the bottom right of the screen then that is illegal. Installing Digitalb whilst still awaiting the full ruling is deemed to be illegal and puts the whole club at risk. The club will be treated as a club and the executive committee (chairman, vice treasurer, secretary and president) will be responsible for paying any associated fine from club funds. Failure to comply with payment may be handled in different ways, court summons of the executive officers, or bailiffs.

Bananas · 13-08-2008

Does the fact that there is no pint glass sign mean that Sky is definately being broadcast illegally? If an establishment is paying digitalb for their subscription to view their channels then where does Sky come into it? Is this not in part the basis of the referal to the European court? i.e Arn't the establishment in question simply part of the EU and paying another company in the EU a fee to provide a service? What actually makes this illegal? Does this law differ to the home user? If so why should it be any different?

**Topper** · 13-08-2008

Originally Posted by Bananas

Does the fact that there is no pint glass sign mean that Sky is definately being broadcast illegally?

You mean received illegally......In a club yes

Originally Posted by Bananas

If an establishment is paying digitalb for their subscription to view their channels then where does Sky come into it? Is this not in part the basis of the referal to the European court?

Correct but is that establishment paying for a digitalb public license?, No I am sure you are not.

Originally Posted by Bananas

i.e Arn't the establishment in question simply part of the EU and paying another company in the EU a fee to provide a service? What actually makes this illegal? Does this law differ to the home user? If so why should it be any different?

This has been beaten to death on many threads e.g. British pub owners to get their day in European court but I doubt trading standards would be taking the action they now are (1st post in the thread) if they had no basis in law to do so.

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