Understanding Joe Hand Promotions and Pay-Per-View Piracy

Joe Hand Promotions, UFC’s exclusive commercial TV distributor, has filed over 60 lawsuits against Connecticut businesses, accusing them of illegally broadcasting UFC pay-per-view events without purchasing the required commercial sublicenses. These businesses include bars, restaurants, and lounges like Gentlemen’s Aroma Cigar & Lounge in Wethersfield. Gentlemen’s Aroma Cigar & Lounge in Wethersfield is facing a federal lawsuit for showing the July 10, 2021, fight between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. The fight sold 1.8 million pay-per-view purchases and drew over $15.7 million in ticket sales in 2021 without authorization.

From Pay-Per-View Distributors’ Perspective:

Joe Hand Promotions, represented by the Lonstein Law Office, argues that these lawsuits are vital to protecting their business and the intellectual property of UFC events, emphasizing that pirated broadcasts threaten their survival. This fight against piracy is crucial for the core operations of Joe Hand Promotions.

The distributor claims piracy undermines its business model, deterring venues from legally purchasing licenses. Joe Hand Promotions employs a nationwide network of attorneys and private investigators to identify violators. They typically start with settlement demand letters but escalate to lawsuits if ignored.

Joe Hand Promotions seeks up to $110,000 per violation under the Communications Act of 1934, plus attorney’s fees. Past cases have resulted in substantial payouts, including a $10,322 judgment in 2023 against another Connecticut establishment. The aggressive approach by Joe Hand Promotions has led to deterrence and significant financial recoveries.

From Bar’s Perspective:

Businesses, including Gentlemen’s Aroma, are accused of streaming the event without paying licensing fees and using it to attract customers, even promoting it on social media. Based on their capacity, venues like bars and restaurants must purchase sublicenses costing significantly more than residential pay-per-view fees.

Experts like attorney Patrick M. Fahey warn that the Communications Act imposes strict liability and severe penalties to deter such infringements. Many businesses underestimate the potential financial consequences of pirating copyrighted broadcasts, leading to costly litigation from companies like Joe Hand Promotions.

If your restaurant or bar receives a demand letter from the Lonstein Law Office for pirating a TV signal, using a black-market site, or displaying a Pay-per-view fight without buying the required commercial sublicenses, call the Wright Law Firm at (212) 619-1500.