Piracy: beIN Media Group launches arbitration for $1bn (€862m) in damages from Saudi Arabia

"beIN Corporation (beIN Media Group), today launched an international investment arbitration against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for damages totalling more than US$1bn (€862m), having been unlawfully driven out of the Saudi market and subjected to what has been described as the most widespread piracy of sports broadcasting that the world has ever seen," announced the Qatari pay-TV conglomerate on 01/10/2018.

"beIN's arbitration follows FIFA's appointment of legal counsel to take action in Saudi Arabia, and is announced on the same day that the State of Qatar files separate legal action against Saudi Arabia with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva (SUI)," stated beIN Media Group.

"The arbitration is being commenced following universal public condemnation of the Saudi-based pirate TV channel beoutQ which - in tandem with Riyadh-based satellite provider Arabsat - has orchestrated a plague of piracy on world sports and entertainment over the past year," added the pay-TV group.

"Saudi Arabia initiated a series of abusive measures specifically targeting global broadcaster beIN…