Spain starts fining pirate IPTV viewers
Reports in Spanish media this week say that viewers of illegal IPTV streaming services have started to be fined. Specifically football fans are now facing fines for watching LaLiga matches on illegal streaming platforms.
The reports ( which was also reported up by some English media services in Spain) say that the Spanish government has started issuing fines of over 450 euros to those caught using pirate services, and according LaLiga president Javier Tebas it is making an impact.
Tebas noted that a significant number of fans have already opted to pay the fines and stop pirating games. This is a crucial step in addressing the issue, as piracy has been costing LaLiga an estimated 700 million euros annually.
Earlier this year, LaLiga have received judicial authorization that allows them to identify the users who view content illegally. Internet providers such as Digi, MásMóvil, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone are now obligated to provide the personal data and the physical address of the owners of the property where suspected illegal viewing is taking place. There was also a threat to close messenger service Telegram in Spain, due to its use in sharing piracy links.
A letter (which can be seen in part here) has then been issued to that address in which you are asked to pay fine, and to cease and desist any future viewing of illegal IPTV streams. If you do not pay it, the recommendation to pay will turn into taking legal action.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas said that the sending of letters by LaLiga was being a success. To be exact, he indicated that LaLiga has sent ” thousands” of letters, and that these letters have been a success in terms of collecting fines from those people who illegally reproduced their content.
“LaLiga sent out thousands of fines worth 450.16 euros, which, according to Tebas, “a large part of the fans agreed to pay, and subsequently stopped pirating.”
However, with no details to verify, it is unknown how many “thousands” of users of IPTV services or similar have received the letter from LaLiga, or how many have agreed to pay the fine.
The fines are primarily aimed at Spain, where piracy causes an estimated 300 million euros in losses to LaLiga each year, nearly half of the total losses across Europe. While a 450.16 euro fine may seem high, it pales in comparison to the financial damage piracy inflicts on LaLiga.
The 450 euro fine is a lot less than the reported 5000 euro fine being issued to viewers of illegal pirated IPTV services in Italy, under its Piracy Shield system.
Obviously, it is unlikely that these fines and cease and desist notices will completely eradicate piracy, but it is clear that the Spanish authorities are now starting to take an internet, even if it is just LaLiga trying to protect its millionaire players.
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