The move, which has to date apparently against only one dealer was expected. It is standard practice to use a precedent to convince others to mend their ways. The letter from Denton Hall wanted everything - stock, names, addresses and even the profits from the pirate cards.

The ruling gives the Premier League a legal precedent and this is a very powerful legal weapon. It would be easy to convince a court that a card dealer is breaking the law. The way that such things are handled in counter-piracy would mean that those who are financially incapable of fighting back will be targeted for legal action.

The one who benefit most from legal action against pirate D2-MAC cards in the UK is not the Premier League. It is BSkyB. After all BSkyB is in the business of selling subscriptions to Sky Sports. For a punter to be able to receive the matches virtually for free would reduce the possibility of sales.

Interestingly magazines like What Satellite TV could be targeted by Denton Hall. These magazines are advertising the pirate cards and steerable dish equipment. What Satellite TV has been taking adverts for pirate equipment for the last twelve or so years and has been taking pirate D2-MAC card adverts since 1993. The profits on adverts for pirate cards and equipment are a critical part of What Satellite TV's financial lifeline. Other UK satellite television magazines would be in a similar situation.