Anyone who wishes to livestream a sporting event in the country for commercial gain must apply for a licence.

This was after a Bill to amend the Television Act was passed in Parliament yesterday.

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said this Act would protect sporting organisations and would not undervalue the bench in which they have copyrights and proprietary rights in.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the new law would ensure that no one live streamed a sporting event for commercial gain if they do not have a licence.

Any person caught in breach of the new amendment and is guilty of the offence, is liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.

The Bill also states that in granting a licence, the minister may require the licencee to pay a premium for the issue of the licence or such annual fee, rent or royalty as the Minister may determine.

Leader of Opposition Sitiveni Rabuka said: “It is the policing that will be the issue, which is our concern.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum gave an example saying: “There is no problem if I am in a match and my cousin is somewhere and I send the livestream to him or her but I’m not charging anything.

“It will be hard to police but this is only for commercial gain.”

Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj