Linda Anne Webber, the Designated Premise Supervisor of The Nags Head, 50 Heath Road, Billericay, CM11 1HS, was fined following a successful prosecution by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) for showing Sky Sports programmes illegally in her premises.
On 30th August, 2013 at Basildon Magistrates Court, Linda Anne Webber pleaded guilty of three offences of dishonest reception of a television transmission (a Sky televised football match) at the above licensed premises without a commercial viewing agreement, contrary to Section 297 (1) of the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988.
Linda Anne Webber was ordered to pay a total of £4,320 in fines and costs.
FACT conducted this prosecution as part of Sky’s on-going commitment to crack down on a minority of landlords who continue to show Sky in their pubs without the correct viewing contract. There have been more than 1,500 similar prosecutions to date; and hundreds of further cases in the pipeline.
Stephen Gerrard, Prosecuting Manager, FACT, said, “Our aim is to help create an effective deterrent to publicans who endeavour to fraudulently show Sky content on their premises. As numerous cases have shown, we successfully pursue and prosecute dishonest licensees who are then faced with substantial fines, costs and a criminal record.”
Alison Dolan, Deputy Managing Director at Sky Business said: “This case demonstrates the seriousness of this issue as courts continue to deliver considerable penalties to licensees who televise Sky content illegally. Sky’s on-going support for FACT in prosecuting licensees who break the law demonstrates our commitment to protecting the interests that thousands of hardworking licensees make in Sky Sports to build their businesses and entertain their customers.”
FACT will continue to protect the intellectual property rights of its member companies. Publicans can expect to be prosecuted if they persist in breaking the law in this way. Those that are convicted can expect to face substantial fines, costs and the possibility of having their personal licences suspended or revoked.
