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

Due to the nature of the Internet, the European Commission cannot prevent the existence of pirate sources. Only access blocking is not the final solution. We propose targeting the economy of these websites, specifically their advertising systems, and appropriately shifting responsibility for advertising.

The Romanian Association for Audiovisual Communications (Asociatia Română de Comunicatii Audiovizuale) joins the most significant commercial broadcasters in Romania. We welcome the opportunity to comment on the factual impacts of the European Commission's recommendation issued on May 4, 2023, regarding the fight against online piracy in the area of sports and other live broadcasts.

beIN SPORTS is a premium sports competitions broadcaster operating in 40 countries, including France. As such, we are severely impacted by piracy of live sports events. The sports and audiovisual sectors collectively contribute over 5% of the European Unions total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5% of the continents employment.

EUROCINEMA, representing independent European film and audiovisual producers, welcomes the evaluation of the 2023 European Commission Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events. While piracy of live events remains a major concern, EUROCINEMA stresses that time-sensitive audiovisual workssuch as film premieres or first broadcastsface similar risks and economic harm.

The Internet Society welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback in response to the European Commissions Call for Evidence on Combating online piracy of sports and other live events assessment of the May 2023 Commission Recommendation. With this submission, the Internet Society seeks to inform the Commissions understanding of Internet blocking by governments to prevent access to illegal content.

The Sports Rights Owners Coalition and its members have closely monitored the European Commissions Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events since its adoption on 4 May 2023. Together with the Live Content Coalition, SROC has worked with the international consultancy Grant Thornton (GT) on data gathering and, unfortunately, the findings suggest that the situation has continued to…

1.- critical analysis of Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/1018 of 4 May 2023 (hereinafter the 2023 Recommendation) on combating online piracy of sports and other live events. Before analysing the situation within the scope of the 2023 Recommendation and the possible effects that it would have had, it is necessary to look at the content of the instrument itself in order to assess not only its suitability for…

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

On behalf of the Association of Commercial Televisions (AKTV), which represents the largest commercial broadcaster in the Czech Republic (Nova and Prima TV groups), we respond to the European Commission’s (EC) call for an evaluation of the Recommendation on combating piracy of live sports and other events. The opinion builds on our experience, expert discussions and available expert studies.

Filed in Czech · English published by the European Commission

Pearle* welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions assessment of the Recommendation adopted on 4 May 2023, on combating online piracy of sports and other live events. Pearle* is also part of the Live Content Coalition (LCC). The LCC is a group of representatives of leading European live content producers, broadcasters, and exhibitors.

To whom it may concern, Given the nature of our activities, we are pleased to have the opportunity to comment on the factual implications of the European Commission's recommendation issued on 4 May 2023 regarding the fight against online piracy in the context of live sports and other live content broadcasts.

BMG is a commercial broadcaster in Bulgaria. We welcome the opportunity to comment on the factual impacts of the EC's recommendation issued on May 4, 2023, regarding the fight against online piracy in the area of sports and other live broadcasts. Piracy, including the piracy of films, audiovisual works and tv channels, remains a significant issue in Bulgaria with enormous impacts.

The European Parliament resolution (resolution) of 19 May 2021 contains recommendations to the European Commission (Commission) on the challenges faced by sports event organisers in the digital environment. Recommendation (EU) 2023/1018 of 4 May 2023 on combating online piracy of sports and other live events (Recommendation) was adopted by the Commission with the aim of giving practical follow-up to the Resolution…

Filed in Portuguese · English published by the European Commission

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 promote local and European culture in a multitude of territories.

As the national association, which brings together the most significant commercial broadcasters in Slovakia, we very much welcome the opportunity to comment on the factual impacts of the European Commission's recommendation issued on May 4, 2023, regarding the fight against online piracy in the area of sports and other live broadcasts.

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.

Please see attached the Audiovisual Ireland submission to the call for evidence to inform the European Commissions assessment of the effects of the 4 May Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events.

TV 2 Danmark A/S is a commercially driven public broadcaster, and a leading provider of local news, entertainment, and sports in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. TV 2 considers piracy and illegal IPTV in particular an existential threat to the pay-tv and sports market in the Nordics, with serious implications also for the financing of our public broadcaster remit.

The Recommendation on combating online piracy of sport and other live events (“the Recommendation”), while providing for key measures to combat piracy in the EU, is currently having insufficient effects in the eyes of APPS members.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Please find enclosed the contribution of the Subdirectorate-General for Intellectual Property of the Spanish Ministry of Culture to the European Commission’s call for evidence Ares (2025) 3501450 for the evaluation of the effects of the Recommendation on unauthorised retransmissions of events. Sports and other live events.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

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.

We contribute with suggestions for improvement and concerns drawn up by the Internautas Association on the arbitrary management and control of legal content on the internet, in favour of an alleged anti-piracy objective, causing computer damage or violating digital rights such as freedom of information, freedom of expression, freedom to conduct a business, and even the availability of (also personal) databases.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions call for evidence. Piracy remains a significant and persistent challenge across the EU, undermining the creative and cultural industries, harming consumers, and jeopardizing the sustainability of legal offerings. 1.

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 transmission of live content, but also in relation to other time sensitive content.

PLEASE FIND THE FULL SUBMISSION ATTACHED. Sky is one of Europe's largest media and entertainment companies, connecting and entertaining millions of customers across six countries: the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. For decades, we have shaken up every category we have entered, giving consumers what they love, making life a little easier and providing great value.

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 reinvested in the football ecosystem.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) welcomes the possibility to comment on the Call for Evidence regarding Combating online piracy of sports and other live events assessment of the May 2023 Commission Recommendation. EBU Members, Public Service Media (PSM), are content producers and distributors.

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 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5% of the continents employment.

Tennis Australia Limited (TA) is the governing body for tennis in Australia and the rights holder of the Australian Open, one of only 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments. TA works with several broadcast partners across Europe to ensure that the world class tennis held in Australia is accessible and available to European audiences.

Please refer to the attached files. It describes in more detail our suggestion on how to improve the recommendation: 1. Clearly state the need to recognize and remunerate the activities performed by ISP, de facto to protect the business of content providers/right holders from piracy activities; 2.

Deutsche Eishockey Liga GmbH & Co. KG (DEL) is the operational unit of the merger of the 14 licensed professional clubs of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga as Germany’s highest class of men in the ice hockey. The DEL is responsible for organising and marketing this Profiliga.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

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).

DFL Deutsche Football Liga GmbH (DFL) is the operational unit of DFL Deutsche Football Liga e.V., the association of the 36 clubs of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, and with the organisation and marketing of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

AGCOM, as the competent authority for copyright protection online, intends to provide its input by sending documeto to provide answers to the questions asked. We remain at your disposal should you require any clarification on the above.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

EuroISPA is recognised as the voice of the European Internet Services Providers industry, representing over 3,300 ISPs across the EU and EFTA countries. Internet Services Providers (ISPs) are small or large companies that provide Internet access to the users. They connect users to the Internet through various technologies such as fibre optic, cable, DSL, and wireless networks.

We, as Creativity Works!, stand united in supporting the fight against infringing access to or transmission of protected content without authorisation in the digital environment. The failure to effectively prosecute such infringements results in a drain on the competitiveness and sustainability of the creative and cultural sectors, which account for 6.9% of Europes GDP and over 17 million jobs.

ACT submission to EC Call for Evidence 28 May 2025: The ACT (https://www.acte.be), as an active player in the European media sector, takes a strong interest in the development of a competitive, dynamic and law-abiding digital single market.

IFPI represents the recording industry worldwide, with a membership comprising of some 8,000 record companies in 70 countries and affiliated industry organisations in 70 countries. We appreciate the European Commissions work to tackle online piracy which continues to harm the European creative industries as well as consumers, and welcome the opportunity to comment on the Recommendation.

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 increase in live events piracy, namely regarding sports (0,75 accesses per user/month in October 2022, 0,53 accesses…

Please find in annex a Response to the European Commissions Call for Evidence on the Recommendation regarding Combatting Online Piracy of Sports and Other Live Events from 1/ST Content, the biggest racing company in the Americas, with a mission statement dedicated to redefining and supporting Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it.

TikTok is a leading destination for mobile video, that first entered the EU market in 2018. Creators of all backgrounds sit at the heart of TikTok, forming a community where authenticity and diversity are celebrated. With more than 150 million monthly active users in the EU 27, our top priority is to promote a safe experience so that everyone - from emerging artists to grandparents - can express their creativity.

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 activities throughout the film and audiovisual value chain as well as companies focused specifically on publishing…

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.

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 associations in the EU/EEA.

FFTélécoms members have a long-standing commitment to the fight against illegal content online and are particularly aware of the challenges faced by broadcasters regarding online piracy of live event and therefore welcomes the Commission's willingness to address this issue.

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.

eco welcomes the Commissions initiative to tackle the specific challenges of protecting the rights of live events, but is critical of some actions that might pose a threat to the freedom of speech on the Internet. eco would like the Commission to consider the following points, as written in the attached statement.

TV 2 is commercial public broadcaster in Norway, and a leading provider of local news, entertainment and sports. We consider piracy and illegal IPTV in particular an existential threat to the pay-tv and sports market in the Nordics, with serious implications also for the financing of our public broadcaster remit. Recent surveys show that up to 1.5 million households use illegal IPTV services in the Nordics.

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 entire film and audiovisual sector, particularly theatrical film distribution.

Institutional comment Digital Society and Anti-Piracy Recommendations As an active participant in EU-funded innovation processes, and in line with my ongoing formal communication with the Cabinet of the Vice Presidents of the European Commission, I respectfully wish to contribute to this evaluation process.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The German legislator has so far not taken up the recommendation and has not taken any measures to improve the protection of live audiovisual content. Therefore, the European Commission’s recommendation has no impact in Germany. The processing of notifications in Germany has not accelerated, nor has the cooperation of rightholders and intermediary service providers accelerated.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

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 increase in live events piracy, namely regarding sports (0,75 accesses per user/month in October 2022, 0,53 accesses…

The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents cinema trade associations and key operators across 39 European territories, covering over 44,000 screens. Cinemas are a fundamental part of Europes cultural and creative industries, providing access to films time-sensitive content and diverse forms of live content.

BBL GmbH (Gesellschaft der Basketball Bundesliga GmbH BBL) is the operational unit of the association of the 18 clubs and capital companies of the German 1. Messrs-Basketball-Bundesliga, organised in the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Basketball Bundesliga e.V. The BBL organises centrally the Bundesliga and Pokal Competitions.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

HBL GmbH (HBL) is the operational unit of the association of the 36 associations and capital companies of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, the HBL e.V., and, in accordance with its articles of association, the organisation and marketing of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. We would like to express our gratitude for the opportunity to share our opinion.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

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.

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) serves as the global voice and advocate of the international film, television, and streaming industry. Our members are Netflix, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc, Universal City Studios LLC, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Allowing companies to close down IP addresses without clear recourse or proof is a terrible idea. DMCA has been weaponised and has resulted in content being taken down in an anti-competitive manner. Privacy Shield in Italy has resulted in huge blocks of the internet (and Google Drive!) being taken down. LaLiga has taken down innocent companies in Spain (including Cloudflare!).

The best source of regulations in eu in all ways are presented via EUIPO & their Certificates to give access to real deal & order in all forms. The companies & journalists & political parties have to Update the society with best collobations available in the form of Advanced Law to make it clear & safe for all municipalities in eu even in Sweden to join new modern era via best Educations nobody Connect to in…

Cyberstronomy welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Commissions assessment of the May 2023 Recommendation and commends the EUs commitment to addressing the pervasive and evolving issue of online piracy. As a specialist research consultancy focused on cybercrime, threat intelligence, and digital policy, Cyberstronomy has conducted in-depth analyses into the illicit streaming ecosystem, particularly the…