Scotland - 'Record fine in Sky case'

We have repeatedly reported on the ongoing crack down on the ‘illegal’ broadcasting of live football by Sky.  See our article "'Unauthorised' Premier League broadcasts - be aware".

A Glasgow bar is being widely reported as having been ordered to pay more than £70,000 in damages after showing Sky Sports illegally.  Avalon Bar operators were hit with the largest ever penalty imposed on a UK pub for allegedly breaching copyright rules.

Apparently the Court of Session had ruled in February 2014 that the pub owner was in breach of Sky’s copyright by showing a Celtic v Ross County game without a commercial agreement.   The pub had also been in breach of an injunction preventing them showing Sky Sports by playing the Scotland versus Belgium match in September 2013.  The owners were charged with contempt of court last year as a result.   A judge has now ordered the licensees to pay costs, bringing the total figure to more than £73,300.