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Assessment of the effects of the Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events

Digital economy and society

In May 2023, the Commission adopted the Recommendation on combatting online piracy of sports and other live events. The Recommendation encourages Member States and relevant stakeholders to take effective measures against unauthorised retransmissions of sports and other live events. By 17 November 2025, the Commission will assess the effects of the Recommendation, taking into account the findings of the monitoring undertaken by the EUIPO Observatory and any possible impacts stemming from the application of the Digital Services Act.

Links

Public consultation

ID: 14599

Lobbying Activity

44 responses

Telefónica Urges Binding EU Regulation to Combat Sports Piracy

Telefonica, S.A., 28 May 2025

Telefónica argues that a non-binding Recommendation is ineffective and calls for a mandatory Regulation. They propose mandatory technical measures, including the immediate removal of illegal broadcasts within 30 minutes of notification.
Binding rules would force uncooperative intermediaries to block pirate content, protecting Telefónica's audiovisual investments.
Uncooperative internet intermediaries and pirate platforms would face mandatory enforcement and financial disruption.

Vodafone Urges Piracy Enforcement Focused on Content Sources

Vodafone Belgium SA, 27 May 2025

Focus on sources of infringement rather than network-level blocking. Improve cooperation to identify infringers and prevent payment flows. Ensure no general monitoring obligations.
This ensures network providers avoid liability and receive reimbursement for enforcement expenses.
Rights holders may face new expenses by paying providers for mandatory blockings.

TikTok calls for Digital Services Act focus in piracy review

TikTok Technology Ltd, 28 May 2025

The Commission should prioritize evaluating how the Digital Services Act impacts unauthorized retransmissions. TikTok suggests that enforcement will become more efficient as this new regulation matures.
Relying on the DSA prevents the creation of new, more restrictive requirements.
Sports rightsholders face ongoing piracy while waiting for the DSA framework to mature.

European Broadcasting Union Urges Stronger Measures Against Live Piracy

EBU-UER (European Broadcasting Union), 4 Jun 2025

The EBU supports using legal instruments to combat piracy of content online and offline. They suggest specific measures are necessary to tackle illegal transmissions performed on a live basis.
Broadcasters would protect their significant investments in exclusive content rights from illegitimate actors.
Unauthorized streaming services would be held responsible for the illegal use of broadcast content.

Ibec demands mandatory 30-minute takedown for pirated live content

Ibec, 4 Jun 2025

Audiovisual Ireland urges the Commission to replace ineffective recommendations with a standalone legal instrument. This legislation must mandate that intermediaries take down copyright infringements within 30 minutes of receipt. They also request that Member States provide rights owners with dynamic, real-time IP-blocking tools.
Stricter enforcement would protect industry revenues and encourage further investment in high-quality European content.
Online intermediaries lose legal immunity and face much heavier burdens for monitoring hosted content.

IFPI Urges EU to Protect Music From Online Piracy

IFPI Representing recording industry worldwide, 30 May 2025

The IFPI requests that anti-piracy recommendations cover "all types of live and time sensitive copyright protected content," including "unauthorised pre-release content." They call for "expedited, dynamic, catalogue wide" injunctions and "notice and stay down" requirements for all host providers.
Expanding the scope helps labels prevent commercial harm caused by unauthorized music leaks.
Online intermediaries would face stricter transparency requirements and higher costs to ensure compliance.

ACT urges EU to legislate 30-minute piracy takedowns

Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe, 30 May 2025

ACT calls for urgent legislation requiring intermediaries to remove infringing content immediately. They demand that retransmissions be taken down no later than 30 minutes after notification. Current measures are described as failing while piracy remains easier and more lucrative for criminals.
New laws would protect the significant investments and revenues of commercial broadcasters.
Server providers would face strict removal timelines and increased accountability for hosting illegal content.

MPA Demands Stricter Real-Time Enforcement Against Online Piracy

Motion Picture Association EMEA, 22 May 2025

The MPA calls for automated siteblocking updated in real time and fast-track legal procedures. They urge all Member States to implement existing tools while requiring all intermediaries to verify their business customers.
Stricter enforcement would preserve the economic value of live broadcasts and reduce legal costs.
Anonymous pirate operators would lose the ability to hide their identities and evade enforcement.

Eurocinema demands EU piracy protections include film premieres

EUROCINEMA, Association de producteurs de cinéma et de télévision, 4 Jun 2025

Eurocinema requests extending the piracy recommendation to include time-sensitive films and premieres. They advocate for real-time automated site-blocking systems and stronger stay down obligations.
Producers would preserve the economic value of films during critical release windows.
Digital intermediaries face increased costs and technical burdens from mandatory verification and blocking.

Sky Group Urges Mandatory 30-Minute Piracy Takedown Rules

Sky Group, 4 Jun 2025

Sky demands a legislative instrument forcing platforms to remove illegal streams within thirty minutes. They also advocate for mandatory real-time IP blocking across Europe.
Stricter enforcement would prevent significant revenue losses from unauthorized sports broadcasts.
Intermediaries lose legal immunity if they fail to meet strict takedown deadlines.

UEFA Urges New EU Law to Stop Live Piracy

Union of European Football Associations, 27 May 2025

UEFA demands EU-wide legislation requiring internet platforms to provide tools for immediate removal of illegal content. They argue current voluntary measures are routinely ignored and fail to stop live piracy.
Mandatory takedown tools would protect the commercial revenues that fund grassroots and professional football.
Criminal groups stand to lose the revenue they drain from the European football ecosystem.

MFE urges EU to mandate 30-minute piracy takedown rules

MFE - MEDIAFOREUROPE N.V, 30 May 2025

MFE calls for precise intervention timeframes for live content and mandatory identification of commercial customers. They also request standardized reporting templates to replace current non-functional and cumbersome procedures.
Fast intervention prevents illegal streaming before the event ends, protecting time-sensitive commercial value.
Tech intermediaries like VPN and DNS providers face stricter liability and identification duties.

Sports Rights Owners Coalition Demands EU Legislation Against Piracy

Sports Rights Owners' Coalition, 4 Jun 2025

The coalition requests new legislation forcing internet intermediaries to remove illegal live content immediately upon receiving a notice. They argue that the current non-binding recommendations are failing because most notices do not result in the suspension of illegal broadcasts.
Mandatory takedown rules would protect their media revenue and reduce the high costs of reporting piracy.
Server providers and hosting services would face stricter, legally enforceable obligations to act within minutes.

Cinema group UNIC urges binding EU anti-piracy legislation

Union Internationale des Cinémas, 26 May 2025

UNIC calls for a legislative initiative to replace the current non-binding recommendation. They seek mandatory "take down and stay down" rules and real-time injunctions.
Stronger enforcement would prevent economic losses during exclusive, time-sensitive theatrical release windows.
Online intermediaries would face stricter verification duties and faster removal requirements.

Fastweb and Vodafone demand compensation for EU anti-piracy costs

Fastweb S.p.A., 4 Jun 2025

The EU should mandate compensation for costs incurred from anti-piracy technology. Companies must also remain free from general monitoring obligations under digital regulations.
Compensating these costs would protect the profit margins of internet service providers.
Rights holders would face new financial obligations to pay for ISP blocking services.

Cloudflare Urges EU to Reject Disruptive Piracy Blocking

Cloudflare, 28 May 2025

Cloudflare urges the Commission to resist excessive requests to expand network level blocking. They argue that the Commission should allow existing mechanisms in the Digital Services Act to work. Finally, rightsholders should be liable for economic harm caused to non-targeted third parties.
This would reduce their operational risks and prevent the imposition of costly compliance mandates.
Ordinary citizens and small businesses lose access to essential online tools during overblocking incidents.

Consultation response

International Federation of Film Distributors' and Publishers' Associations, 28 May 2025

FIAD welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Commissions assessment of the 2023 Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events. While supporting the Recommendations objectives, FIAD urges the Commission to also acknowledge the broader threat piracy poses to the…

Creativity Works! urges tougher EU action against live piracy

Creativity Works!, 30 May 2025

The coalition demands an outcome-oriented obligation for hosting providers to remove illegal content immediately. They advocate for expanding trusted flagger status and verifying the identity of all business customers.
Stronger enforcement prevents the rapid erosion of economic value for time-sensitive creative content.
Digital service providers would lose regulatory loopholes and face higher compliance and verification costs.

Internet Society warns against Internet blocking to fight piracy

Internet Society, 4 Jun 2025

The Internet Society opposes Internet blocking and urges authorities to attack piracy at its source. They argue that filters are inefficient and cause collateral damage to innocent users.
This protects the stability and global interoperability of the Internet infrastructure.
Broadcasters and rights holders would lose access to rapid, automated content blocking.

Consultation response

Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional, 4 Jun 2025

Please find enclosed the contribution from the Spanish Professional Football League.

Pearle* Demands Binding EU Laws Against Live Content Piracy

Performing Arts Employers Associations League Europe, 4 Jun 2025

The organization requests binding legislation that forces service providers to stop illegal streams immediately. They want 'expeditious removal' defined as action before the live event finishes.
Stronger rules would protect financial investments and ensure the sector's long-term economic viability.
Criminal networks lose their primary source of income from illegal retransmissions of live events.

Consultation response

COMMUNIA Association for the Public Domain, 26 May 2025

COMMUNIA is an international association incorporated under Belgian law that advocates for policies that expand the Public Domain and increase access to and reuse of culture and knowledge. In our contribution, we thus focus on users rights considerations. COMMUNIA acknowledges the challenge that…

Consultation response

GROUPE CANAL+, 4 Jun 2025

CANAL+ Group (CANAL+) thanks the European Commission for launching a call for evidence in relation to its upcoming assessment of its Recommendation of 4 May 2023 on combating online piracy of sports and other live events (the Recommendation). CANAL+ is a historic pay TV player with the ambition to…

Consultation response

The Premier League, 4 Jun 2025

The piracy of live sports content remains a threat to the Premier Leagues business and sporting model. The majority of our revenues are derived from the sale of live broadcast rights for our matches and the wholesale theft of this live content deprives us of significant sums of money which could be…

Consultation response

DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH, 3 Jun 2025

Die DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH (DFL) ist die operative Einheit des DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga e.V., dem Zusammenschluss der 36 Clubs der Bundesliga und 2. Bundesliga, und mit der Organisation und Vermarktung der Bundesliga und 2. Bundesliga betraut. Sie bedankt sich bei der Europäischen…

Consultation response

NEWS MEDIA COALITION, 4 Jun 2025

Find feedback from the News Media Coalition attached.

Consultation response

Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films Headquarters ASBL, 28 May 2025

The Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films Headquarters ASBL (FIAPF below transparency register n°332167817125-52) comprises 37 national associations representing producers of films and audiovisual content from 30 countries across the globe, including 16 national…

Consultation response

Deutscher Fussball-Bund e.V., 27 May 2025

Der deutsche Gesetzgeber hat die Empfehlung bisher nicht aufgegriffen und keine Maßnahmen zum besseren Schutz von audiovisuellen Live-Inhalten ergriffen. Daher hat die Empfehlung der Europäischen Kommission in Deutschland keine Auswirkungen. Weder die Bearbeitung von Meldungen hat sich in…

Consultation response

Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance, 4 Jun 2025

AAPAs Answer to the European Commission Call for Evidence on the Combating online piracy of sports and other live events assessment of the May 2023 Commission Recommendation Brussels, 4 June 2025 Context The sports and audiovisual sectors collectively contribute over 5% of the European Unions total…

Consultation response

International Federation of the Phonographic Industry-Hellenic National Group, 2 Jun 2025

Please find attached comments by IFPI Greece.

Consultation response

International Video Federation, 28 May 2025

The members of the International Video Federation (IVF) 7013477846-25 are associations representing businesses active in all segments of the film and audiovisual sector in Europe. The IVFs membership is active in all EU Member States and comprises both integrated companies involved in all relevant…

Consultation response

Viaplay Group AB, 28 May 2025

Viaplay Group AB is a key commercial broadcaster and streaming service and a leading provider of premium sports rights and live sports events in the Nordics. The widespread use of illegal IPTV services represents the most significant threat to the pay-TV industry. It undermines the commercial value…

Consultation response

Česká národní skupina Mezinárodní federace hudebního průmyslu, z.s., 3 Jun 2025

Members of the Czech National Association of the International Federation of Phonographic Industry (CNS IFPI) are record companies / phonogram producers for which CNS IFPI provides service (e.g. dealing with rights related to copyright infringement, statistics, education). The topic of combating…

Consultation response

ANGA Der Breitbandverband e.V., 26 May 2025

Please see ANGAs position in the document attached (English and German language).

Consultation response

Associazione Italiana Internet Provider, 4 Jun 2025

Please find the feedback of Associazione Italiana Internet Provider (Italian Internet Providers Association) attached

Consultation response

IFPI Austria, 4 Jun 2025

IFPI Austria represents the recording industry in Austria, with members representing local independent record labels as well as the Austrian affiliates of the major record labels. Speed remains of essence when it comes to addressing online piracy, not only in relation to the unauthorised…

Consultation response

Rettighedsalliancen/Danish Rights Alliance, 4 Jun 2025

RettighedsAlliancen (the Danish Rights Alliance) is an association composed of large and small companies, producers, associations, and organisations in the creative industries. At RettighedsAlliancen, our core mission is to fight for the rights of the creative industries on the Internet. As an…

Consultation response

Stowarzyszenie Sygnał, 28 May 2025

Attached is the feedback from Sygnał Association.

Consultation response

Asociace komerčních televizí, z.s., 4 Jun 2025

Jménem Asociace komerčních televizí (AKTV), která reprezentuje největší komerční vysílatele v ČR (televizní skupiny Nova a Prima), tímto reagujeme na výzvu Evropské komise (EK) k vyhodnocení Doporučení o boji proti pirátství živých sportovních a jiných akcí. Stanovisko vychází z našich zkušeností,…

Consultation response

Live Content Coalition, 4 Jun 2025

LCC Submission to May 2025 EC Call for Evidence 4 June 2025 The Live Content Coalition (LCC - https://livecontentcoalition.eu - EU Registry of interests nr 3674 08398850-82) is a group of representatives of leading European live content producers, broadcasters, and exhibitors. As representatives of…

Consultation response

Internet Infrastructure Coalition, 3 Jun 2025

Please find the feedback of the Internet Infrastructure Coalition attached.

Consultation response

Verein für Anti-Piraterie der Film- und Videobranche, 28 May 2025

The Austrian content protection organisation VAP (Verein für Anti-Piraterie der Film- und Videobranche) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Commissions assessment of the 2023 Recommendation on combatting online piracy of sports and other live events. VAP supports the Recommendations…

Consultation response

Tekijänoikeuden tiedotus- ja valvontakeskus ry, 27 May 2025

Please find our feedback attached

Consultation response

GEDIPE- Audiovisual Producers Collective Rights Management, 26 May 2025

Despite the conclusions drawn by EUIPO on its latest Online Copyright Infringement in the EU Films, Music, Publications, Software and TV (2017-2023) regarding the apparent stabilisation of piracy levels for television content and publications, and decreasing values for music and films, there was an…