A Bahrain court has ruled against the unauthorized rebroadcasting of beIN channels.

Bein Sports

In a landmark case, the Third Lower Criminal Court of the Kingdom of Bahrain has convicted an individual for illegally selling and distributing internet protocol television (IPTV) services designed to intercept, pirate, and rebroadcast transmissions owned by beIN MEDIA GROUP (beIN) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

This important ruling establishes a precedent in the battle against piracy, emphasizing the legal repercussions of participating in or facilitating the transmission of pirated material, which violates intellectual property rights.

The court found that in 2022, the defendant knowingly sold IPTV services to customers that were specifically altered to bypass beIN's subscription model. He sold these services at three locations in Bahrain: Souq Waqif, Tubli, and Saar, falsely claiming his company was an 'authorized distributor' of beIN.

These services pirated major football competitions broadcast on beIN SPORTS, including the UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, and LaLiga, as well as beIN’s entertainment channels. The defendant also assisted customers in illegally accessing specific programs and channels upon request. His actions violated Articles 44/2 and 3, 45, and 111 of the Penal Law, along with multiple sections of Law No. (6) of 2014 concerning cybercrimes.

Despite the defendant’s attempts to contest the charges, the court found the evidence against him overwhelming and rejected all defenses. Consequently, the defendant was fined 5,000 Bahraini Dinars ($13,266 USD).

This ruling represents significant progress in the ongoing fight against piracy, which costs broadcasters over $1 billion annually in the region, directly impacting the fees broadcasters can pay for sports rights.

The case underscores the legal consequences of infringing on intellectual property rights. Piracy disregards licensees' territories and undermines the principle of broadcast license exclusivity, affecting the development and investment in leagues and clubs.
 

 

Source: The Peninsula Qatar