A California-based pay-per-view provider has accused two Philadelphia bars of illegally promoting and displaying a 2012 boxing match without entering into an agreement with the broadcaster, according to a federal suit filed at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Attorneys representing G & G Closed Circuit Events allege that El Pueblo Sports Bar & Grill and La Barra Martini Bar & Restaurant violated the Communications Act of 1934 and The Cable & Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 and seek compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $170,000 from each defendant.
According to the complaint, El Pueblo and La Barra intercepted the broadcast of "Knock-Out Kings: Canelo Alvarez v. Josesito Lopez Championship Fight Program" on September 15, 2012.
G & G claims that it entered into an agreement for the exclusive rights to air the fight. The company then proceeded to pursue and market legitimate agreements for sub-licenses with bars, restaurants and other establishments interested in hosting the broadcast to attract customers.
The suit says that employees of the restaurants were directed to find a way to intercept the program, illegally accessing the match for the bars' financial gain. G & G claims that it invested a significant amount of money acquiring the rights and shopping the license to potential clients.
The plaintiff is represented by Thomas P. Riley of Pasadena, Calif.
The federal case ID number is 2:14-cv-04859-GAM.
Two Philly bars sued for showing pay-per-view boxing match
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