Video Distributor Sues Ark. Bar for Illegally Showing 2020 UFC Event

Khalil’s Pub & Grill, Shackleford, Arkansas, showed an Ultimate Fighting Championship telecast Feb. 8, 2020, in violation of the Communications Act, alleged Joe Hand Promotions, which had exclusive nationwide commercial distribution rights. In a Friday complaint (4:23-cv-00111) in U.S. District Court for Eastern Arkansas in Little Rock, the distributor alleged the bar pirated the fight, which originated via satellite uplink and was retransmitted to cable and satellite TV companies via satellite signal. The defendant could have bought rights to show the fight for a fee but chose not to, it said. Joe Hand seeks statutory damages up to $110,000 for unauthorized use of communications or up to $60,000 for unauthorized reception of cable service.