FAPL issues first writ against satellite suppliers
The FA Premier League has launched legal proceedings against one of the largest suppliers of foreign satellite equipment to the licensed trade.
After years of prosecuting licensees for using the equipment the Morning Advertiser can this week reveal that the Premier League has issued a writ in the High Court against David Richardson of QC Leisure.
The FAPL's lawyers claim breach of copyright and say that by encouraging people to buy the cards, and 'guaranteeing' that they are legal, QC Leisure is "authorising or procuring publicans to breach FAPL's copyright".
The Premier League has said from day one that it is committed to prosecuting the suppliers of illegal satellite equipmentPremier League spokesman Dan Johnson.
Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson told the Morning Advertiser: "The Premier League has said from day one that it is committed to prosecuting the suppliers of illegal satellite equipment; this action demonstrates we are true to our word.
"It also sends the message to licensees that we are seeking to protect them from the misinformation and mis-selling the likes of QC Leisure are making significant amounts of money from ultimately at the expense of pubs and clubs."
The FAPL has confirmed that it is also planning action against other suppliers.
A spokesman for QC Leisure responded: "We are surprised at these unfounded and spurious actions of the FAPL/Sky to attempt to prosecute us under a law that serves no remedy for our business practices.
"It is a blatant attempt to frighten us and other suppliers financially by using the threat of a high court action to do so.
"It is also an attempt to defame the business practices of QC Leisure in the hope of damaging business to a point where QCL back down for fear of financial ruin. Fortuitously QCL have a loyal client base that stands by us and are sure in the knowledge that they are by no way breaking the law by using their alternative satellite system.
