China

FIFA sues HK bars over illegal broadcasting

(CRIENGLISH.com)
Updated: 2006-07-21 16:35

A HongKong Cable Television official has called for greater protection of intellectual property rights in the lead-up to major globe sporting events, such as the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Chief executive officer of Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Associaition, Simon Twiston Davies, made the remarks in the wake of illegal broadcasting of World Cup matches in several HongKong bars.

World soccer governing body FIFA and Hong Kong Cable Television are suing five local bars that allegedly aired unlicensed broadcasts of World Cup games.

The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia, which represents 110 broadcasting companies in Asia, says both parties are seeking financial damages for the copyright infringements.

Hong Kong Cable Television was the only TV company in the southern Chinese territory with a licence to broadcast most of the World Cup games.

But some Hong Kong bars and clubs showed broadcasts from overseas pay-TV channels which they accessed using special decoders.

FIFA and Hong Kong Cable Television have lodged writs against the bars which the broadcasting association declined to name. It also refused to reveal the amount of money sought from the bars which have been ordered to stop such broadcasts in future.