The Premier League have issued the following statement regarding the decision made by the European Court in Luxembourg in the case versus Portsmouth Land Lady Karen Murphy.
The statement is as follows: "This is clearly a complex issue, one that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has spent a significant amount of time considering.
"The ECJ judgment responds to 18 specific questions referred by the UK High Court. They have now answered these questions in terms of how European Law applies. It is now for the High Court to consider how the ECJ judgment affects the cases in question.
"On the broader points that could flow from the ECJ judgment; the areas of law involved are complicated and necessarily we will take our time to digest and understand the full meaning of the judgment and how it might influence the future sale of Premier League audio-visual rights in the European Economic Area."We are pleased that the judgment makes it clear that the screening in a pub of football-match broadcasts containing protected works requires the Premier League's authorisation. Currently only Sky and ESPN are authorised by the Premier League to make such broadcasts.
"The Premier League will continue to sell its audio-visual rights in a way that best meets the needs of our fans across Europe and the broadcast markets that serve them but is also compatible with European Law."
The Football League which also sells matches that kick off at 3pm on Saturdays abroad that can be seen in pubs and clubs with the right decoder have yet to make an official statement.
Source: FOOTYMAD
