Media Protection Services loses case against UK pub

The High Court in the UK has ruled against Media Protection Services’ prosecution of publicans Andrew and Christine Crawford of the Railway Inn in Helmsby, Cheshire, for using an Albanian satellite system in their pub to show a live Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool three years ago.

According to a report in the Publican’s Morning Advertiser the ruling against MPS – which was acting for the Premier League – by High Court Lord Justice Stanley Burton upheld a previous decision by Chester magistrates Court last year dismissing the proceedings.

Lord Justice Stanley Burton even described the case brought forward by MPS as “incompetent”.

A Premier League spokesman commented, “This judgement is in regard to a legal technicality and does not change the fact that we have copyright-protected works in our broadcasts. Sky and ESPN are the only authorised broadcasters of live Premier League matches in the UK.

“Publicans should be aware that legal action will be taken against those who use unauthorised systems and cards to show live Premier League matchesin a pub or other commercial premises.”