Police pub cries foul with Sky

The Maltings in St Leonard's Street was threatened with legal action by satellite giant BSkyB after showing games from the English Premiership.

Owner Stephen Blewitt paid 1500 to install an Arab Radio and Television (Art) satellite system, which picks up channels such as Qatar-based al-Jazeera. But Mr Blewitt was told he could be hit by a legal action for copyright infringement as Sky owns the rights to broadcast the games in the UK through its 1.02 billion deal with football bosses.

The English courts are currently handling test cases against landlords who have used the Art system to offer live coverage.

A number of pubs, including The Golf in Duke Street, and McEwan's Ale House in South Clerk Street, have bought decoders which allow matches to be shown as they are broadcast in the Middle East

Mr Blewitt claimed that he was pressured into switching to BSkyB's football package at a cost of 712 a month after a visit from its representatives. The landlord was told he could be taken to court and face losing his licence.

He is now trying to end his Sky contract after complaining he had been "duped" by the rep.

Mr Blewitt, who has owned the bar for five years, said: "They gave me the hard sell to take up the Sky Sports package which I was told cost 640 a month."

Mr Blewitt signed the agreement but later found that with VAT he faced a 712 bill. He also spoke to other publicans in the city who operate the Art system, as well as a lawyer. He now believes he was not breaking the law.

Moray Henry, relief manager at McEwan's Ale House, said: "The Art system was recommended to us by the brewery. If anyone from Sky tries the same thing with us I will put them on to the brewery."

But both Sky and the Premier League today insisted that the practice was illegal.

A Premier League spokesman said: "With BSkyB we have now launched a new advertising campaign to raise awareness about the issue."