The case of Karen Murphy is still being considered by the European Court of Justice but in the meantime the High Court has quashed a conviction given to a licensee for screening foreign satellite football. The broader significance of these cases is that they put at risk a significant revenue stream for the Premier League.
The case of Karen Murphy is still being considered by the European Court of Justice but in the meantime the High Court has quashed a conviction given to a licensee for screening foreign satellite football. The broader significance of these cases is that they put at risk a significant revenue stream for the Premier League.
Gregory Turner, of the Golden Cup, Yoxall, Burton-upon-Trent, was originally convicted and fined £500 in June 2009 for showing games using an Arab Radio and Television (ART) Network system, after the case was brought by Media Protection Services (MPS). The conviction has now been quashed on the grounds that the court had not considered EU law.
Martin Howe QC, acting for Turner, previously argued the case had an EU dimension as ART conducted ‘economic activity’ in Italy. The judges also noted the licensee had since bought a Sky subscription and was no longer using a foreign satellite system.
MPS commented, ‘The decision does not affect the law and MPS will continue to take prosecutions against the minority of licensees who use foreign satellite systems to screen Premier League football.’