BeIN Media Group has begun legal action against various platforms and channels in the Middle East and North Africa, notably telco Ooredoo, for infringement of its exclusive Uefa Euro 2016 rights in the region.
BeIN holds exclusive Euro 2016 rights in 24 territories across Mena and is showing coverage on its beIN Sports pay-television channels. But coverage from the national team football tournament has been broadcast by Ooredoo as well as Al Chourouk, ETV 3, IRIB TV and Tele Chad.
It is understood that Ooredoo has been taking the feed of German public-service broadcasters ARD and ZDF, which are available on the HotBird satellite in the region.
With the support of Uefa – European football’s governing body – beIN has begun legal action against Ooredoo for making Euro 2016 matches available. BeIN is working with law firm DLA Piper.
Ooredoo has been sent cease and desist letters by beIN, Uefa and ARD/ZDF. As well as preventing the broadcasts, beIN is understood to be seeking damages.
Uefa said: “Uefa deplores all acts of audiovisual piracy and fully supports its broadcast partners in taking steps to protect the investment they have made in Uefa’s competitions. The valuable contribution of our commercial partners is a key element in supporting the development of football.
“Uefa therefore fully supports its exclusive broadcast partner for the Mena region, beIN Sports, in its intention to start legal proceedings against channels that infringe its exclusivity, in order to protect its exclusive right to broadcast Uefa Euro 2016 in the region.”