Introduction
Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your cocktails and nachos, because we might just witness one of the wildest boxing events in recent history: Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul! Yes, you heard it right. Iron Mike, the baddest man on the planet, versus the YouTube sensation-turned-boxer Jake Paul. While the fighters train and talk trash, a different kind of high-stakes battle is taking place behind the scenes. That's right; it's the bar, nightclub, and restaurant owners facing off with some heavyweight players of their own—the commercial rights holders like Joe Hand Promotions, J&J Sports Productions, and G&G Closed Circuit Events.
These companies are not just sitting ringside. They're like the referees who make sure no one sneaks a cheap shot, except their ring is the internet, and their opponents are unlicensed streamers. You see, when a big-ticket event like Tyson vs. Paul rolls around, every bar owner knows there's potential for a packed house and a booming cash register. But before you think about blasting a “Fight Night” sign in neon lights or sharing a promo post on Instagram, consider this: you need to have the right license to broadcast this bout. Yes, even The Hangover's own Mike Tyson knows it's risky business not to play by the rules!
For many, it's tempting to skip the fees and just hook up the cable feed in the back. Who's really going to know, right? Wrong. Think of these distributors as the "Eye of the Tiger" incarnate—ready to spot any unauthorized use, anywhere. Joe Hand Promotions and companies like it are well-known for their internet patrolling, regularly scanning for any unlicensed promotions and turning infringers into legal cautionary tales. In fact, some of these distributors even work with investigators who visit venues to make sure everything's on the up and up.
When establishments do get caught streaming without proper rights, the penalties can be downright KO-worthy. Federal laws under sections 553 and 605 give these rights holders the ability to pursue statutory damages. In other words, it's a costly fight that many bars and restaurants simply can't afford. And once you're on their radar, these companies don't tend to forget. It's the kind of bad blood that will have you fighting off legal fees long after Tyson and Paul have finished their bout.
Even Netflix, known more for binge-watching than boxing, is stepping up piracy protection. And if the streaming giant is on high alert, you better believe sports rights holders are too. So, bar and restaurant owners, if you're hoping to fill your place with fans eager to see the Tyson-Paul showdown, make sure you're set up with the proper commercial broadcast rights. Because while the fighters duke it out in the ring, you don't want to be left shadowboxing with a lawsuit.
With all the excitement this fight is sure to bring, do it the right way: pay the rights fees, promote legally, and keep your establishment out of the courtroom. After all, no one wants to end the night with a left hook from Joe Hand Promotions or a Netflix legal dispute!
However, if you get the letter (the "love letter," as we call it), call us. We have helped many large and small companies get their cases settled in this situation. These types of companies can, and will, file lawsuits. You can expect that to be a financial drain, so our goal is to review any possible defenses, make your best case, and seek to settle in confidence to avoid an unwanted public PR disaster.
Netflix next moves
Netflix is making the fight available to its customer base (I am one, and I will be watching for sure). Go Mike Tyson!!!
Here are some various comments from Netflix on their plans to curb streaming piracy of the Tyson-Paul fight.
- Sportable.com - Illegal piracy warning issued ahead of Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight. Netflix will be streaming the upcoming hotly anticipated fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul but have made a big decision to clamp down on those seeking to watch the bout illegally.
- EssentiallySports.com - While prominent platforms like DAZN, ESPN, and Amazon Prime constantly battle illegal streaming, smaller broadcasters often lack the resources to effectively tackle this issue. Even larger promoters like Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), burdened with $900 million debt, cannot afford to spend additional resources in this war against piracy anymore. However, in the nick of time, streaming titan Netflix gears up to become boxing's knight in shining armor – heralding a brighter future for the sweet science.
- BoxingScene.com - “Piracy now is certainly as bad or worse as it's ever been and if someone wants to call it a crisis, I wouldn't disagree,” said former Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza, who currently serves as an independent sports media consultant.
