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Direct TV sues restaurant boss: Salvatore Leggio says he was unaware of any impropriety in showing NFL games.WILKES-BARRE, Jan 16, 2010 (The Times Leader - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A restaurant owner is being sued by Direct TV, which claims he ordered NFL Ticket service for a private home but broadcast it at his restaurant. The major satellite television programming provider is suing Salvatore T. Leggio, of 2240 Old Pittston Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, owner of Leggio's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, 1092 Route 315, Plains Township, for damages for violations of Cable Communications Policy Act, interceptions of electronic communications and civil conversion, according to court documents. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday at the federal court in Wilkes-Barre. Direct TV, based in California, provides services to homes based on residential rates and commercial establishments under commercial rates. Residential rates are less expensive than commercial rates. For commercial establishments, such as Leggio's, using Direct TV's programming for their own commercial gain at the lower residential rates is illegal, the suit states. But, Leggio, who purchased Direct TV's NFL Ticket service for his home, said nobody told him it was illegal. "I told them, 'Look, I didn't steal anything,' " Leggio said Thursday evening. "I paid for the NFL ticket, but I never got to watch it because I'm always at the restaurant. I'm a working person. I did not steal anything." Leggio said he is a family man who works seven days a week. "Nobody said I couldn't put a box over here," Leggio said. "Nobody advised me." According to the lawsuit: On Sept. 27, 2009, Leggio's displayed satellite programming, namely, National Football League games, available only through Direct TV's premium "NFL Sunday Ticket" service. The suit alleges the restaurant showed the programming to the public and for commercial benefit or financial gain without authorization from the plaintiff. Direct TV is requesting injunctive relief, further alleging that unless restrained by the court, the defendants will continue to use satellite programming illegally and without authorization. The satellite provider also requested that the court enter judgment in its favor against Leggio's, awarding statutory damages in the amount not less than $10,000 and up to $100,000 for each willful violation, and that the court award punitive damages. To see more of The Times Leader, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesleader.com. Copyright (c) 2010, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |