Record fine for hosts for illegal Sky screening

by MA Reporter Sky has obtained a record criminal fine against a pub for illegally showing programmes without a business subscription, as part of its on-going crackdown against offenders. Bernadette and Ahmed Mossahebi, licensees of Maxims in Eastbourne, East Sussex, were ordered to pay a total of £9,540 in fines and costs for showing Sky in the pub on a domestic card rather than the correct commercial viewing contract. The case was brought by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), on behalf of Sky, at Eastbourne Magistrates Court. Both defendants pleaded guilty to joint summonses for two infringement dates ­ 27 April and 4 May last year. Sky said the case was part of its on-going commitment to both pursue landlords who screen programmes in their pubs without the correct viewing contract, and to protect its legitimate customers. Louise Newman, business divisions communications manager, said: "This is the heaviest sentence ever handed down for the illegal showing of Sky programmes and illustrates how seriously the courts take this matter. "We are committed to protecting the interests of our legitimate customers by undertaking a number of activities that ultimately can lead to prosecution of licensees who choose to enjoy the benefits of Sky without the proper commercial contract. Our investigators visit licensed premises continually and we fully support FACT's efforts to prosecute licensees who break the law." Since June last year, there have been more than 50 successful criminal prosecutions by Sky, with about 40 actions in progress. In addition, Sky has settled more than 50 civil actions out of court with settlements reaching up to £12,500, and there are currently 100 civil cases in progress. As part of the crackdown, the company has been sending out its latest round of letters warning licensees who have a domestic, but not a business subscription, that they will be prosecuted if they show Sky in their pubs. Landlords are asked to sign a legal disclaimer and return it to the company. l Letters ­ p17