Joanne Elizabeth Hughes, licensee and designated premises supervisor of the Rollers Arms in Wrexham, was found guilty in her absence of three offences relating to the dishonest broadcast of Sky televised programming.
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The prosecution was brought by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) at Wrexham Maelor Magistrates’ Court on 14 July.
Avoiding payment
The court found Hughes had broadcast Sky Sports football matches without a legitimate commercial viewing agreement, with the aim of avoiding payment of the relevant commercial subscription fee.
Sky Sports content is only available to licensed premises through authorised commercial viewing agreements from Sky Business.
Hughes was ordered to pay total fines and costs of £4,529.55.
FACT warned business premises showing Sky broadcasts without a commercial viewing agreement risk similar action or potential civil legal proceedings.
Nick Sumner, investigations manager at FACT, said: “Licensees are responsible for ensuring that any live sport shown in their premises is supplied through the proper commercial channels.
‘Serious consequences’
“This case demonstrates that where Sky content is shown dishonestly, there can be serious consequences.
“FACT investigates these offences to protect rights holders, legitimate Sky Business customers and the wider licensed trade. We will continue to take action where evidence shows protected content is being used without the appropriate commercial agreement.”
Sara Stewart, head of compliance, commercial anti piracy, at Sky Business, said Sky Sports was a “major draw” for pubs and licensed venues, but must be shown through a legitimate commercial agreement.
She added: “The vast majority of businesses invest properly in the content they provide to customers, and it is only fair that action is taken where venues try to avoid those obligations.
“We will continue to support FACT in protecting our customers, our content and the integrity of the commercial viewing market.”
The case follows a similar prosecution in June, when a Powys licensee was ordered to pay £19,000 after being found guilty of illegally screening Sky Sports.
