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Tribune News Network
Doha
The European Commission has published a major report in which it singles out Saudi Arabia for “causing considerable harm to EU businesses” following the unprecedented two-year theft of European sport programmes by Saudi-based beoutQ and Arabsat.
The report sets out priority countries – only 13 worldwide – on which “the EU will focus its action” regarding the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in third countries, including Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia, in particular, was selected based on representations made by rights-holders and broadcasters across European sports – including UEFA, the Premier League, LaLiga and (as the principal target of Saudi Arabia’s piracy) beIN Media Group – regarding rampant copyright piracy; along with submissions from other industries harmed by deficient patent and data protection regimes. Saudi Arabia is one of only two countries added to the European Commission’s bi-annual “priority list”, alongside Nigeria.
Commenting on the report, Yousef al Obaidly, CEO of beIN said, “The European Commission’s latest report adds to the existing calls (including at the highest levels of the US and UK governments) calling on Saudi Arabia to uphold the rule of law.
“As the biggest buyer of media rights in world sport, this is nothing to do with politics - it’s commercial theft, plain and simple. We are not rallying against Saudi Arabia, we are rallying against any nation, company or individual who steals sports content.
“Even today after over two years, the only way to watch most premium international sport in Saudi Arabia is via illegal means. The only message this sends to international broadcasters and rights-holders around the world is that you cannot monetise or protect your IP in Saudi Arabia.”
Doha
The European Commission has published a major report in which it singles out Saudi Arabia for “causing considerable harm to EU businesses” following the unprecedented two-year theft of European sport programmes by Saudi-based beoutQ and Arabsat.
The report sets out priority countries – only 13 worldwide – on which “the EU will focus its action” regarding the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in third countries, including Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia, in particular, was selected based on representations made by rights-holders and broadcasters across European sports – including UEFA, the Premier League, LaLiga and (as the principal target of Saudi Arabia’s piracy) beIN Media Group – regarding rampant copyright piracy; along with submissions from other industries harmed by deficient patent and data protection regimes. Saudi Arabia is one of only two countries added to the European Commission’s bi-annual “priority list”, alongside Nigeria.
Commenting on the report, Yousef al Obaidly, CEO of beIN said, “The European Commission’s latest report adds to the existing calls (including at the highest levels of the US and UK governments) calling on Saudi Arabia to uphold the rule of law.
“As the biggest buyer of media rights in world sport, this is nothing to do with politics - it’s commercial theft, plain and simple. We are not rallying against Saudi Arabia, we are rallying against any nation, company or individual who steals sports content.
“Even today after over two years, the only way to watch most premium international sport in Saudi Arabia is via illegal means. The only message this sends to international broadcasters and rights-holders around the world is that you cannot monetise or protect your IP in Saudi Arabia.”
