Tuesday 13 April is the date on which a draft report concerning illegal live sports streaming was adopted with 18 votes in favour and 6 against by the EP’s Legal Affairs Committee JURI. The purpose of the report in question is to highlight the need for an improved framework on the enforcement of intellectual property rights for live sporting events.

The illegal transmission of live sports broadcasts online is an infringement of intellectual property rights, and also poses a potential security risk for users, who can be exposed to malware or data theft. In the absence of harmonised rules at EU level, a number of countries have introduced specific rules covering live broadcasts.

With the current procedures against live streaming lacking immediate effect, MEPs call for harmonisation of rules on notice and take down procedures. Of particular importance is the request for clear and concrete measures to reflect the short-time value of live sports events, allowing for real-time take down of illegal live sport broadcasts.

As stated by rapporteur Angel Dzhambazki (ECR, BG): “The liability for illegal broadcasting of sports events rests with the providers of streams and platforms and not with fans and consumers, who often unintentionally come across illegal online content.” There is in fact a need for greater promotion of legal sport content, and for it to be made easier to find online for consumers.

Next on the agenda for this topic is an MEP vote during the May plenary session.