Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Are You Breaking Copyright & Trademark Laws at Your Restaurant?

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: April 25, 2014

Key Contacts

Back

If you own a bar or restaurant, broadcasting the upcoming boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana may seem like a no brainer.

By attracting people who want to watch the fight, you can increase food and drink sales to help the bottom line. Also, if the opportunity presents itself, it could be tempting to try and intercept the broadcast without paying. However, before making this decision, you should think twice, as getting caught could offset the money made on sales and then some.

Consequences

The unlawful broadcast of pay-per-view events can result in serious penalties, as recently outlined in the case of J&J Sports Productions, Inc vs Joseph Gencarelli, et al. This action violates the federal law prohibiting the unauthorized receipt of radio or television transmissions. The law also states that unlawful breaches for “commercial advantage” or “financial gain” permits much higher statutory damages – this would be the case if your bar illegally broadcasted an event.

The following are the potential penalties for violating this law:

  • A fine as much as $100,000 or more – likely much more than you sales on the day you illegally broadcasted a pay-per-view event
  • The possibility of imprisonment if a criminal conviction is obtained

The upcoming Mayweather vs Maidana fight can be purchased for $64.99, according to Comcast, so if you want to broadcast this boxing match at your bar, it is better to pay the small fee rather than risk violating federal law. This goes for all pay-per-view events as well, as the potential profits made for the audience a boxing match draws can far outweigh the small fee.

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
Local Zoning and Land Use Rules Every New Jersey Rental Property Owner Should Understand post image

Local Zoning and Land Use Rules Every New Jersey Rental Property Owner Should Understand

Owning a residential rental property in New Jersey involves more than finding tenants and collecting rent. Property owners must comply with a combination of state laws, municipal ordinances, building and housing codes, and zoning and land use regulations. These requirements can affect everything from the number of dwelling units permitted at a property to whether […]

Author: Donald M. Pepe

Link to post with title - "Local Zoning and Land Use Rules Every New Jersey Rental Property Owner Should Understand"
Real Estate Litigation Explained: Top 5 Disputes and How to Avoid Them post image

Real Estate Litigation Explained: Top 5 Disputes and How to Avoid Them

The five most common real estate disputes are breach of contract claims, landlord-tenant conflicts, zoning and land use disagreements, construction claims, and boundary disputes. Understanding why each arises, and taking preventive steps early, can help property owners, tenants, developers, and investors avoid costly litigation. Key Takeaways: Real estate transactions are complex endeavors involving numerous parties […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "Real Estate Litigation Explained: Top 5 Disputes and How to Avoid Them"
When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan post image

When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan

Once a child turns 18, parents lose the automatic legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf, even if the child still lives at home or remains on the family’s insurance. Three documents close that gap: a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy or directive, and a HIPAA authorization. For […]

Author: George McGowan

Link to post with title - "When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan"
Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips post image

Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips

Business mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps companies negotiate a resolution to a commercial dispute without going to trial. Because working with a mediator is very different from litigating in the courtroom, it is important to understand how commercial mediation works, when it makes sense for your dispute, […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips"
Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation post image

Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation

The five most common causes of construction defect litigation are design defects, substandard materials, workmanship defects, code violations, and subsurface defects. Because these flaws can compromise a building’s integrity, functionality, or safety, they frequently lead to disputes involving multiple parties and high financial stakes. Key takeaways: What is Construction Defect Litigation? Construction litigation is complex, […]

Author: Paul Grossman

Link to post with title - "Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation"
How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce post image

How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce

The most effective ways to protect your business in a divorce are put in place before one begins: a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, clean separation of business and personal finances, and divorce contingencies built into your operating or buy-sell agreements. If divorce is already underway, the priorities shift to establishing how the business is classified […]

Author: Jay McDaniel

Link to post with title - "How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce"

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. By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging.
“If you would like to submit a file, please email it directly to info@sh-law.com.

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