Collaborative Strategies in Combating Online Piracy

In May 2023, the European Commission released a recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events. The recommendation underlines rapid action against unauthorised streams and fosters collaboration across the Internet industry. In October, a conference co-hosted by the Commission and EUIPO spotlighted the fight against online piracy, at which Worldstream was invited due to our established measures.

In line with the recommendation, Worldstream has developed its own proactive Notice and Take Down tool. This tool empowers rightsholders to quickly block IP addresses used to distribute infringing content during live events, effectively disrupting online piracy as it happens. This tool is part of a broader strategy to foster industry-wide efforts, aligning with the Commission’s plan.

However, the challenge is not just about implementing tools: real progress in combating online piracy requires industry-wide cooperation. The current efforts often feel fragmented, with each party handling issues in isolation. From intermediaries to rightsholders, everyone has a crucial role, and only through sharing knowledge and resources can we collectively stay ahead of piracy. Creating working groups or direct communication channels might be the key to consolidating our efforts. By sharing insights, processes, and challenges, we can transform individual actions into a cohesive, industry-wide strategy against online piracy.