Belfast operators latest to be fined by Sky for not having agreement

Two Belfast pub operators have become the latest to be fined for screening Sky matches without a commercial viewing agreement.

Solicitors acting for Tasman Enterprises, which runs the Stormont Inn, and Elmorton Limited, which operates Benedicts Hotel, pleaded guilty to charges of broadcasting Sky to customers without having a commercial contract, when they appeared in front of Belfast magistrates earlier this month.

Richard Murphy, prosecuting for the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), told the court the Stormont Inn had been visited by investigators on Saturday, May 27 2000. He said he found customers watching the Scottish Cup final between Aberdeen and Rangers on Sky.

After further investigation he found there was only a domestic viewing agreement in place.

The court also heard that on the same day the investigators witnessed customers in the bar of Benedicts Hotel watching the international match between England and Brazil.

There was no record of any commercial viewing agreement being in place at the hotel.

Tasman Enterprises was fined £300 and ordered to pay £1,018 in costs. Elmorton Limited was fined £600 and ordered to pay £783.80 in costs.

The latest cases follow promises by Sky to clamp down on licensees showing Sky football illegally.

A Sky spokesman said: "We are committed to protecting the interests of our legitimate customers by prosecuting licensees who choose to enjoy the benefits of Sky without the proper commercial contract."

David Lowe, from FACT said: "These penalties illustrate that the courts see the illegal use of Sky programming as a serious offence which penalises genuine subscribers.

"Where illegal screenings are detected, legal action will follow."