Meriden bar accused of piracy

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MERIDEN — A Pennsylvania-based company has accused 105 Restaurant & Lounge of illegally showing a 2016 mixed martial arts fight at the establishment.

Joe Hand Promotions Inc., states in its lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in New Haven, that 105 Restaurant & Lounge violated federal piracy laws when it showed an Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view event to customers without paying the required fee. 

The lawsuit requests the judge impose maximum damages — up to $110,000, — plus attorney costs and legal fees. 

A phone number for Manuel Medeiros, owner of the now defunct 105 Restaurant & Lounge, was not in service Wednesday. 

Michael Chambers, the attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Joe Hand Promotions, deferred a request for comment to the company. The company didn’t respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon. 

According to the lawsuit, Joe Hand Promotions, based in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, has held exclusive commercial distribution rights for UFC, including its pay-per-view events, since 2001. 

Bars, restaurants, and other commercial establishments are allowed to show pay-per-view events to customers, but only for a fee. That fee is also typically higher than the fee individuals must pay to watch the same events from a private residence. 

The lawsuit accuses 105 Restaurant & Lounge of showing UFC 205, which occurred in November 2016, without paying the fee to Joe Hand Promotions. 

This is the second lawsuit filed against the owners of 105 Restaurant & Lounge, which had been located at 105 Colony St. A November complaint accuses the owners of negligence in connection with a March shooting inside the restaurant.