Jonathan Phillips spent years defending bars, taverns, restaurants, from Joe Hand Promotions’ and Zuffa’s accusations of cable and satellite piracy. He can help you too.

So, if you have heard from the attorneys for Joe Hand or Zuffa (typcially Ryan Janis at Jekielek & Janis, or Julie Lonstein at Signal Law), reach out for a reduced-flat-rate consultation. You can learn more about these suits below.

Who are Joe Hand Promotions and Zuffa?

Joe Hand Promotions and Zuffa are creators and distributors of popular mixed martial arts events, cross-over events, and WWE spectacles. They undoubtedly have a desired product. These programs show no signs of slowing. Even so, beyond selling the right to watch fights put on by others, Joe Hand and Zuffa regularly sue bars, taverns, restaurants, and others who display fights without their permission. Their demands can be high and may ignore valid defenses you possess.

Do you have defenses?

Every legal dispute differs. Facts differ. Clients’ situations differ. Accordingly, available defenses differ from case to case. Jonathan never pushes a path forward that does not fit for a given client. That said, some common threads exists in Joe Hand Promotions and Zuffa suits. These potential defenses are provided as information, not as legal advice. Other defenses may be available in your situation. These defenses may not be. These are just the common defenses.

Suing owners, not those displaying the program

Many times Joe Hand and Zuffa sue the owners of the taverns, bars, and restaurants as opposed to whoever displayed the fight. Whether these individuals have a defense because they did not personally display the fight is another potential defense that Jonathan will help you explore.

Ownership of rights

Sometimes those accusing individuals of infringing copyrights do not actually have sufficient rights to bring a suit. In the legal world, we call this standing. It is always worth determining whether Joe Hand or Zuffa have sufficient standing to bring their suits.

The so-called internet defense

The accusations in these cases typically allege satellite and cable piracy. Congress created signal piracy statutes to prevent satellite signal and cable signal descrambling. While some individuals may engage in satellite and cable piracy, others might utilize the internet to display UFC matches. Whether use of the internet is covered by these statutes - meant for satellites and cable - is an open question in many courts.

Simply seeking excessive damages

Sometimes defenses may be weak or lacking and settlement may be the best option. Even so, demands may be out of line with potential damages. Many courts award damages far below the demands made by Joe hand and Zuffa. Jonathan will help determine a reasonable settlement range.

Jonathan both litigates and settles cases

Some attorneys may only settle cases. When the situation calls for it, Phillips & Bathke also litigates cases. In fact, Jonathan has even received judgments not only in his client’s favor, but also one that required Joe Hand to pay his client’s fees.