Ligue 1 Hacking: Court Orders Google to Block Illegal Streaming Sites
In a significant legal victory for DAZN, the Paris Judicial Court has mandated that Google and Cloudflare block access to 27 illegal streaming sites that have been broadcasting Ligue 1 football matches without authorization. This ruling, made on December 5, 2024, comes as part of DAZN's ongoing efforts to combat piracy in the sports broadcasting sector. The court's decision is seen as a crucial step in protecting the exclusive broadcasting rights held by DAZN, which acquired the rights for Ligue 1 for €400 million per year starting in the summer of 2024.
The court found that there were serious and repeated infringements of the rights held by DAZN, leading to an estimated loss of revenue of €290 million annually for the sports sector due to illegal broadcasts. This figure represents about 15% of the sports content broadcasting market, impacting clubs, federations, and amateur sports alike. DAZN expressed its satisfaction with the ruling, stating it marks a turning point in the fight against piracy not only in football but across all sports content.
DAZN's Legal Action Against Piracy
DAZN's legal action against Google and Cloudflare began in September 2024, aiming to compel these companies to prevent users from accessing pirate sites and IPTV services from French territory. The court's order requires Google and Cloudflare to implement blocking measures within three days and to keep DAZN informed of any challenges encountered in executing these measures. This ruling follows a similar decision made by the court in November, which ordered major telecom operators like Orange and Bouygues Telecom to block access to the same illegal sites.
The fight against piracy has intensified as DAZN seeks to safeguard its investment and the integrity of sports broadcasting. The company has faced challenges since entering the French market, with significant piracy issues arising from various platforms, including illegal streaming sites and newer services like IPTV. DAZN's commitment to tackling these issues is underscored by its statement that the court's decision reinforces its determination to protect the interests of all stakeholders in the football ecosystem.