Landmark foreign satellite ruling due
Karen Murphy's High Court appeal against a conviction for using a foreign satellite system will be delivered today.
It is the first foreign satellite case to reach the High Court.
Thousands of licensees are taking a keen interest in the case, which should give the clearest ruling to date as to whether the use of foreign satellite systems to broadcast Premier League matches in the UK is legal.
Murphy, of the Red, White & Blue in Portsmouth, is appealing against her conviction for screening Premiership football via Greek channel Nova Supersport.
The appeal team is hoping to prove that signals were broadcast from Greece after Nova took the Premier League's feed and added its logo and Greek commentary.
The appeal team is also seeking to prove that the broadcast is interrupted because of a time delay in its transmission via Nova.
But Media Protection Services, prosecuting on behalf of FA Premier League, argues that the original broadcast emanates from England in the form of the feed and that Nova only has the authority to allow people in Greece to receive the signals.
The judgment is due at 2pm.
Case history: The Murphy timeline
27 June'06: Acquited by Judge Arnold as she had not received the transmission dishonestly. She had a letter from her brewery Gales recommending she took the Nova system.
26 Jan'07: Found guilty of two offences relating to breaching the FA Premier League's copyright at Crown Court by Judge Arnold. Fined £8,000.
15 March'07: Appeals decision in Crown Court. Conviction upheld by Judge Iain Pearson.
29 Nov'07: High Court appeal commences
Check back here for news of the judgment after 2pm.
