The ruling marks significant progress in the ongoing fight against piracy in the sports and entertainment industry.
In a landmark decision, the Third Lower Criminal Court of Bahrain has convicted an individual for the illegal sale and distribution of IPTV services designed to intercept, pirate and rebroadcast transmissions belonging to beIN Media Group in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This significant ruling sets a precedent in the fight against piracy, demonstrating the legal implications of engaging in or facilitating the transmission of pirated material, which infringes on intellectual property rights.
The court found that in 2022, the defendant knowingly sold modified IPTV services that bypassed beIN’s subscription model. These services were sold across three locations in Bahrain—Souq Waqif, Tubli and Saar—under the false claim of being an “authorised distributor” of beIN.
The pirated services included all major football competitions broadcast on beIN Sports, such as the UEFA Champions League, English Premier League and LaLiga, as well as beIN’s entertainment channels. The defendant also assisted customers in illegally accessing specific programmes and channels. His actions violated Articles 44/2 and 3, 45 and 111 of the Penal Law, along with several sections of Law No. (6) of 2014 concerning cybercrimes.
Despite attempts to contest the charges, the court found the evidence against the defendant overwhelming. All defence pleas were decisively rejected, highlighting the seriousness of the crimes committed. Consequently, the defendant was fined 5,000 Bahraini Dinars ($13,266).
This ruling marks a significant step in combating piracy, which costs broadcasters in the region over $1bn annually, directly affecting their ability to pay for sports rights. It also illustrates the broader impact of piracy on the principle of broadcast license exclusivity and the development and investment in sports leagues and clubs.
BeIN received legal counsel from the Bahrain office of Al Tamimi & Company, a major regional law firm in the MENA region.
