Copyright and Sport Broadcasting in Australia and England

Abstract

Television rights are an essential component of the revenue generated by professional sporting leagues, and protecting the copyright in the broadcasting of matches is therefore of significant importance to these leagues. A Federal Court decision has held that there had been in breach of copyright when Optus allowed its mobile phone users to access matches on a two minute delay. However, European and English Courts have held that the plaintiff’s copyright only existed in the anthem, graphics and recorded highlights, not in the actual matches.