Private Use of Foreign TV Decoders not Unlawful

In this case (ECJ - Football Association/Murphy) Ms Murphy did not break any law by receiving the transmission of a football match via a Greek TV decoder.  However by showing the football matches (which contained elements that were the copyright of FAPL such as graphics and pre-recorded highlights) on a pub TV this was considered to be communication of the copyright work to the public which is an act restricted to the copyright holder. The court held that using a foreign decoder privately is not in breach of any licence or copyright but communicating the football match to the public in a student union, for example, is likely to be a breach of copyright.

For more details of this case you can read the related JISC Legal Law Watch item. 

Want to keep up-to-date with our latest news stories?  Subscribe to the free JISC Legal newsletter and follow us on Twitter.

Posted on 13/10/2011

Search Site
Twitter Feed