UFC has filed a lawsuit against a barbershop and bar in Key West, FL., alleging Beards and Brews illegally showed the UFC 298 event to customers without paying for the required commercial license.
Beards and Brews LLC as well as the business’s owners and operators Eric and Victoria Castellanos are named as defendants in the complaint filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida by UFC’s parent company Zuffa LLC. Court documents were filed last Thursday and have been obtained by POST Wrestling.
In exhibits to the complaint, UFC shows screenshots of a Facebook post dated Feb. 16, the day before UFC 298, on the Beards & Brews Facebook page that advertises, “Come on out tomorrow night to watch UFC 298 @beardandbrewsbarbershopandbar”.
UFC claims that Beards and Brews either outright pirated the broadcast or bought the pay-per-view as if for home use but violated the terms of service by then playing the event for patrons at their place of business, which would’ve required a more expensive commercial license.
UFC is seeking substantial statutory damages, potentially up to $110,000 per defendant, in addition to enhanced damages for the alleged willful nature of the infringement. The lawsuit also asks for an injunction to keep Beards and Brews from engaging in any future unauthorized broadcasts.
UFC President Dana White has been especially outspoken about punishing people who illegally use and distribute the company’s pay-per-view broadcasts. This case may be intended to serve as an example to commercial entities regarding the legal consequences of unauthorized broadcasting.
Since launching on ESPN+ in 2019, pay-per-views for home viewing have increased in price from $59.99 to $79.99.
Alan D. Danz from Danz Law, PLLC is representing UFC in the case.
We contacted Beard and Brews by email to request comment for this report. We’ll update this article if they respond.
