The Hindu Business Line : Cellular operators slap notice on BCCI

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has slapped a counter notice to the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) over offering cricket update through Short Messaging Service (SMS). The association has also filed a caveat in the court as pre-emptive move in case the BCCI decides to file an appeal.

Earlier, the BCCI had issued a legal notice on mobile operators for offering cricket updates of the ongoing India-England series to their subscribers through SMS. Cellular operators, however, are contesting BCCI's rights over all information relating to cricket.

The BCCI notice had also asked operators to refrain from similar activities in future without obtaining prior permission of the board. BCCI said that cellular operators could get into a commercial agreement with the cricketing body; otherwise it led to unauthorised violation of BCCI's rights and illegal interference with the its legitimate business.

But cellular operators are in no mood to cough up any money or share the revenues generated from the service. Most operators charge a premium rate of Rs 6 per update.

BCCI note

The BCCI notice stated that the Indian cricket board had exclusive television rights, Internet and SMS rights and all other similar rights for all test and one day matches played in India. The notice also said that operators were continuing with the live updates despite being aware of the recent interim order passed by the Madras High Court..

Cellular operators, however, said that BCCI was misusing the judgment to create confusion in the matter. They have also filed an appeal against the order of the High Court.

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