A North East pub has been ordered to pay nearly £20,000 after they infringed on Sky’s copyright by showing sports programming illegally in their premises. 

 The Bank bar in Stockton-on-Tees has been ordered to pay a total of £19,950.24 in damages and costs following successful legal action taken by Sky.

Sky says that they are "committed" to visiting every licensed premises reported by other publicans and/or organisations for illegally showing Sky and have arranged to visit hundreds of pubs each week in towns and cities across the UK. 

Sky was awarded, damages and costs in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC). The licensee,  The Bank, 53 High Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS20 1AH, has been ordered to pay damages in the total sum of £12,163.24, plus interest and must also pay Sky’s costs of £7,786.40.

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Sara Stewart, Head of Compliance at Sky Business added: “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.

“Venues who continue to televise content in this way are breaking the law, and are at risk of being caught, which can result in licensees being ordered to pay significant damages and legal costs to Sky.”

Any licensee affected by these issues can report suspected illegal broadcasting confidentially at Sky Business.