Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Another Sports Bar/Restaurant Owner Must Pay the Price for Illegal Interception of Pay-per-View Programming

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: May 14, 2013

Key Contacts

Back

About a year ago, we wrote about a then-recent decision in the Federal District Court for New Jersey in which the owner of a sports bar and restaurant was found guilty of violating the federal Communications Act, which prohibits the unauthorized reception of radio or television transmissions as well as satellite transmissions.  Both sets of statutes carry the possibility of statutory damages, including “enhanced” (or punitive) damages, as well as court costs and attorney’s fees.  The bar and restaurant had illegally intercepted a pay-per-view boxing match and displayed it throughout the establishment.

Now, another sports bar/restaurant owner will pay the price.  In May of 2010, Robin Waldron and Charlynn Waldron arranged for the illegal interception of an Ultimate Fighting Championship television broadcast for dissemination in their sports bar/restaurant in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.  With the defendants having failed to appear in a lawsuit brought by the owner of the rights to the broadcast, the Court determined, on the basis of the allegations set forth in the complaint, that summary judgment was appropriate, finding the defendants guilty of the unauthorized interception of the programming.  Indeed, despite the fact that the plaintiff was unable to determine whether the defendants had intercepted a cable system signal or a satellite broadcast signal (because such information was within the domain of the defendants), the Court concluded that a violation of both statutes (47 U.S.C. §553, applicable to communications over a wired cable system, and 47 U.S.C. §605, applicable to communications via satellite), could be sustained and that sufficient evidence existed to establish a violation in either case.

On that basis, the Court ordered the defendants to pay statutory and enhanced damages (owing to the willful nature of the defendants’ actions), as well as Court costs and attorney’s fees, totaling almost $8,000.00.

An expensive evening of television.

If you have any questions about this case or would like to discuss the legal issues involved, please contact me, Dennis Linken, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know post image

Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know

While filing annual reports may seem like a nuisance, failing to do so can have significant ramifications. These include fines, reputational harm, and interruption of your business operations. In basic terms, “admin dissolution for annual report” means that a company is dissolved by the government. This happens because it failed to submit its annual report […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know"
What Is Antitrust Litigation Law? post image

What Is Antitrust Litigation Law?

Antitrust laws are designed to ensure that businesses compete fairly. There are three federal antitrust laws that businesses must navigate. These include the Sherman Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Clayton Act. States also have their own antitrust regimes. These may vary from federal regulations. Understanding antitrust litigation helps businesses navigate these complex […]

Author: Robert E. Levy

Link to post with title - "What Is Antitrust Litigation Law?"
Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests post image

Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests

If you’re considering closing your business, it’s crucial to understand that simply shutting your doors does not end your legal obligations. Unless you formally dissolve your business, it continues to exist in the eyes of the law—leaving you exposed to ongoing liabilities such as taxes, compliance violations, and potential lawsuits. Dissolving a business can seem […]

Author: Christopher D. Warren

Link to post with title - "Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests"
The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions post image

The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions

Contrary to what many people think, corporate restructuring isn’t all doom and gloom. Revamping a company’s organizational structure, corporate hierarchy, or operations procedures can help keep your business competitive. This is particularly true during challenging times. Corporate restructuring plays a critical role in modern business strategy. It helps companies adapt quickly to market changes. Following […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions"
Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public post image

Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public

Cryptocurrency intimidates most people. The reason is straightforward. People fear what they do not understand. When confusion sets in, the common reaction is either to ignore the subject entirely or to mistrust it. For years, that is exactly how most of the public and even many in law enforcement treated cryptocurrency. However, such apprehension changed […]

Author: Bryce S. Robins

Link to post with title - "Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public"
Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions post image

Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions

Using chattel paper to obtain a security interest in personal property is a powerful tool. It can ensure lenders have a legal claim on collateral ranging from inventory to intellectual property. To reduce risk and protect your legal rights, businesses and lenders should understand the legal framework. This framework governs the creation, sale, and enforcement […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!