Qatar-based broadcaster beIN has launched a $1 billion claim against broadcasters in Saudi Arabia, alleging that they have been illegally re-transmitting a large amount of BeIN’s sports content. The small Gulf state itself is also asking the World Trade Organization to address intellectual property violation allegations against its much larger neighbor. At the center of both actions is BeoutQ, an illegal broadcasting operation that is widely believe to be based in Saudi Arabia.
These moves were announced by beIN and by Qatar’s ministry of economy and commerce on Monday, according to AFP. Though the IP violation action would be heard at the WTO, the court where the compensation claim might be heard hasn’t been confirmed. Officials in Saudi Arabia have repeatedly denied any connection to BeoutQ.
At this summer’s World Cup in Russia, FIFA condemned BeoutQ for illegally streaming soccer content. The broadcasting operation has also been accused of streaming Premier League and Ligue 1 games, Formula 1 races, and tennis matches, among content from a diverse range of sports. According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia seized 12,000 pirating devices in June, but so far BeoutQ has survived any attempts to shut it down.