Matchroom Boxing Ltd & Anor v British Telecommunications Plc & Ors

Matchroom Boxing Ltd & Anor v British Telecommunications Plc & Ors

The order is proportionate and justified to prevent large-scale infringement of Matchroom's and Sky's rights, is effective, contains safeguards, and no less onerous measures are available.

Parties
Claimant: Matchroom Boxing Limited; Claimant: Matchroom Sport Limited; Defendant: British Telecommunications PLC; Defendant: EE Limited; Defendant: Plusnet PLC; Defendant: Sky UK Limited; Defendant: TalkTalk Telecom Limited; Defendant: Virgin Media Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 September 2018
Procedural Posture
Intellectual Property Application / Judgment on Paper Application for Blocking Order
Outcome
Application granted
Legal Topics
Website Blocking Orders, Infringement of Broadcasting Rights, Live Streaming, Proportionality of Remedies
Intellectual Property Copyright Website Blocking Orders Infringement of Broadcasting Rights Live Streaming Proportionality of Remedies

Case Brief

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Parties

Matchroom Boxing Limited

Claimant

Matchroom Sport Limited

Claimant

British Telecommunications PLC

Defendant

EE Limited

Defendant

Plusnet PLC

Defendant

Sky UK Limited

Defendant

TalkTalk Telecom Limited

Defendant

Virgin Media Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Intellectual Property Application / Judgment on Paper Application for Blocking Order

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the court should grant a blocking order against ISPs to prevent access to infringing live streams of boxing events
  2. 2 Whether the order sought is proportionate and justified

Ratio Decidendi

The order is proportionate and justified to prevent large-scale infringement of Matchroom's and Sky's rights, is effective, contains safeguards, and no less onerous measures are available.

Court Disposition

Application granted

Orders

  • ISPs to block or impede access to streaming servers delivering infringing live streams of Matchroom boxing events for two years, with events notified at least four weeks in advance.
  • No order as to costs.