Jisha Surya
First Published : 21 Feb 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd (ESIPL) has given a jolt to the plans of clubs, pubs, hotels, theatres and other commercial establishments to cash in on the World Cup cricket fever.
Ahead of the World Cup, the ESIPL, which holds the exclusive rights to broadcast and distribute ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket, served notices on such establishments against the public viewing of these channels without authorisation. The hoteliers, meanwhile, are concerned over the exorbitant licence fee and unexpected turn of events, when cricket fans are making frantic plans to watch the World Cup matches.
"The norms are applicable to all, excluding those under domestic consumption. The hotels, hospitals and airports in the state have been served notices. They will have to pay for each TV, violation of which is a nonbailable offence. We are acting according to TRAI norms and the Copyright Act of 1957," informed M G Rajeshwaran, regional manager of ESIPL.
"In the case of domestic viewing, we are getting paid through licenced cable operators or MultiSystem Operators. But for commercial consumption, the entities are getting into a direct contract with the ESIPL. But many commercial establishments are seen showing our channels without licence, which is not permissible," he said.
The plan of clubs to set up giant screens to attract crowds may land them in a soup unless they take licence in advance. According to Rajeshwaran, the ESIPL has set up an antipiracy team to monitor such violations. Case will be registered if there is any violation, he said. Many prominent hotels in the State obtained the licence much ahead of the World Cup, he added.
Biju Ramesh, managing director of Rajadhani Group, said his hotels have sent a reply to the notice. "They are asking a huge amount as licence money, which is almost thrice the normal amount. The licence amount depends on the number of TVs in the hotel. We have enquired whether there is any package only for the World Cup season so that we can show the channels now," he said.
The notices were served barely two weeks ahead of the start of the World Cup, which has evoked much criticism from the part of hoteliers. However, understanding the sentiments of cricket fans, hotels like Muthoot, Taj, Ginger and Horizon have already bought the licence.
A similar situation had developed at the time of the IPL last year, when many cable operators refrained from showing the matches as a protest against the exorbitant rates charged by some pay channels.
First Published : 21 Feb 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd (ESIPL) has given a jolt to the plans of clubs, pubs, hotels, theatres and other commercial establishments to cash in on the World Cup cricket fever.
Ahead of the World Cup, the ESIPL, which holds the exclusive rights to broadcast and distribute ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket, served notices on such establishments against the public viewing of these channels without authorisation. The hoteliers, meanwhile, are concerned over the exorbitant licence fee and unexpected turn of events, when cricket fans are making frantic plans to watch the World Cup matches.
"The norms are applicable to all, excluding those under domestic consumption. The hotels, hospitals and airports in the state have been served notices. They will have to pay for each TV, violation of which is a nonbailable offence. We are acting according to TRAI norms and the Copyright Act of 1957," informed M G Rajeshwaran, regional manager of ESIPL.
"In the case of domestic viewing, we are getting paid through licenced cable operators or MultiSystem Operators. But for commercial consumption, the entities are getting into a direct contract with the ESIPL. But many commercial establishments are seen showing our channels without licence, which is not permissible," he said.
The plan of clubs to set up giant screens to attract crowds may land them in a soup unless they take licence in advance. According to Rajeshwaran, the ESIPL has set up an antipiracy team to monitor such violations. Case will be registered if there is any violation, he said. Many prominent hotels in the State obtained the licence much ahead of the World Cup, he added.
Biju Ramesh, managing director of Rajadhani Group, said his hotels have sent a reply to the notice. "They are asking a huge amount as licence money, which is almost thrice the normal amount. The licence amount depends on the number of TVs in the hotel. We have enquired whether there is any package only for the World Cup season so that we can show the channels now," he said.
The notices were served barely two weeks ahead of the start of the World Cup, which has evoked much criticism from the part of hoteliers. However, understanding the sentiments of cricket fans, hotels like Muthoot, Taj, Ginger and Horizon have already bought the licence.
A similar situation had developed at the time of the IPL last year, when many cable operators refrained from showing the matches as a protest against the exorbitant rates charged by some pay channels.
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