A team from Addleshaw Goddard (Ireland), led by Robert Dooney (Managing Associate) has secured an injunction through the Circuit Court in Ireland on behalf of Sky against licensees of pubs throughout Ireland who unlawfully show Sky programs such as English Premier League football matches without having a commercial contract.

Sky claim copyright over the logos and graphics which appear on the screen during those broadcasts. If a Sky program is shown in a premises that does not have a commercial contract, that constitutes copyright infringement.  

An Equity Civil Bill dated February 2019 came before Ms. Justice Catherine Staines on 12 July 2023 in Kilkenny Circuit Court on foot of a Motion for Judgement issued by Addleshaw Goddard (Ireland) in January 2020. There was no appearance by or on behalf of the Defendant, Liam Glennon of the Big Wheel Bar, Callan, County Kilkenny. 

Having satisfied the Court that the Defendant was given proper notice of the proceedings, Counsel for Sky referred the Court to Sections 139(2) and 139(3) of the Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 to demonstrate that Sky owns the copyright that is alleged to have been infringed by the Defendant.  

In evidence, the Court was taken through some of the reports of investigators who visited the Big Wheel Bar premises at regular intervals since 2016 and who had witnessed the Defendant unlawfully showing Sky programs. As well as seeking Judgement for outstanding royalties across 5 years since 2016, Sky also sought injunctive relief as well as aggravated and/or exemplary damages on the grounds that the Defendant has repeatedly been infringing Sky's copyright since 2016 and has ignored all letters issued on Sky's behalf since November 2015.  

The Court granted a permanent injunction restraining the Defendant from infringing Sky's copyright, and judgement in the amount of €32,538.00. Costs of the proceedings were also awarded to Sky including any costs which had been reserved during the proceedings.  

This is one of a number of cases being pursued by Addleshaw Goddard (Ireland) on behalf of Sky, forming a key part of Sky’s commitment to protecting pubs who invest in legitimate Sky Sports subscriptions.