Speaking recently on a video for The Chronicle, Mark Douglas discussed a possible resolution to the Saudi Arabia piracy issue regarding beIN Sport.
In the midst of the uncertainty that surrounded PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben Brothers and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) takeover attempt of Newcastle United, one subject which appeared to be a major sticking point in the progression of the bid the piracy of Qatari channel, beIN Sport.
A ruling by the World Trade Organisation deemed that Saudi broadcaster, beoutQ, which pirated beIN Sport’s Premier League coverage, had been facilitated by the Saudi Arabian state, thus breaking international law that protects intellectual property rights.
However, speaking recently on a video for The Chronicle, Douglas discussed a potential breakthrough in the piracy issue, which could, in theory, help to resurrect the takeover attempt of Newcastle.
He said: “We feel there may be a movement towards some resolution on things like piracy now that there are movements in the Gulf. Although it’s interesting, beIN Sport still being blocked in Saudi Arabia officially. There are bigger issues there around potential remuneration that is owed to beIN Sport by whoever it was in Saudi Arabia who was pirating their rights.”
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TIF Thoughts on Mark Douglas’ comments regarding the issue of piracy…
Indeed, with it being reported that the issue of Saudi Arabia’s alleged involvement in the privacy of beIN Sport presented something of an impasse in the progression of Newcastle United’s takeover attempt, if this issue were to be resolved it is not difficult to imagine a scenario in which the bid could be reignited.
However, at present, as Douglas suggests, with beIN Sport still officially being blocked by Saudi Arabia, there could be a little way to go before this issue does indeed find a resolution.