After having requested (and obtained) the blocking by access providers of streaming sites and pirate IPTV services, then the deactivation of alternative DNS addresses, the rights holders are launching a new battle. And if they win their case, it is more than likely that watching illegal broadcasts of matches will become very complicated. At the end of last year, Canal+ and the LFP in fact sued VPN providers before the Paris judicial court, as reported by the media L’Informé.
VPNs soon to be forcibly enlisted against illegal IPTV?
In detail, the two organizations have sued NordVPN, Proton VPN and Cyberghost. Canal+ has added Surfshark VPN and ExpressVPN to the lot. The aim is not to ban VPNs, but to ensure that providers block pirate addresses during the sports competition calendar, for example until May 31 for the Champions League. Currently, a French Internet user armed with a VPN can surf from another country, Switzerland for example, to be able to access IPTV sites broadcasting matches, even if they are blocked in France.
If the court were to grant this request, the restrictions demanded by rights holders and broadcasters will have to be applied within three days. Arcom, the communications regulatory authority, will be able to update the list of sites to be blocked, and it is up to VPNs to ensure that this is indeed the case. This is similar to how ISPs operate, which are required to block IPTV addresses reported by rights holders. The decision of the judicial court is not expected for several months, however.
Canal+ and the LFP would be within their rights: Article 333-10 of the French Sports Code gives rights holders the possibility of imposing "all proportionate measures" aimed at preventing or stopping any harm to their interests, including against any entity that can help to remedy it. Including technical intermediaries such as VPN providers.
Source: L'Informé
0 Comments