A Bar in North East England has become the latest to face enforcement action for failing to hold a valid Sky Sports subscription.
- The Bank in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees must pay a total of £19,950.24
- The bar is the second licensed premises in North East England to be hit by a fine in as many months.
Sky has taken Stockton-on-Tees bar The Bank to court over copyright infringement. The bar on High Street in the Norton area had been showing Sky Sports illegally.
The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) ruled the licensee had to pay nearly £20,000, made up of damages + interest totalling £12,163.24 as well as Sky’s costs of £7,786.40.
This successful case forms a key part of Sky’s commitment to protecting pubs who invest in legitimate Sky Sports subscriptions.
Commercial premises who show Sky Sports have access to special streams that include a pint glass symbol in the corner. The pint glass level changes frequently to avoid situations where pubs and bars might place a transparent sticker on the corner of the screen.
Sky says it is committed to visiting every licensed premises reported by other publicans and/or organisations for illegally showing Sky.
It’s the second case of Sky Sports subscription dodging in the North East of England in as many months. In October, Sunderland’s Cleo’s Bar received a £7,400 fine for similar reasons.
Commenting on the case, Sara Stewart, Head of Compliance at Sky Business said:
“Now more than ever it’s important to protect the investment of our customers. Businesses that show Sky Sports illegally can leave our legitimate Sky subscribers feeling short-changed.”
By: Marc Thornham