Bars planning to show the much-hyped August boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor should be warned: the company that handles pay-per-view distribution for major fights won't hesitate to sue establishments that show big bouts without a license.

A group of about 20 small bars and restaurants in New York City and on Long Island are learning this the hard way.

On Thursday and Friday, California-based J&J Sports Productions sued the businesses, alleging violations of the Communications Act of 1934 for showing 2014 and 2015 fights featuring Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.