EU eyes 30-min block on illegal streams

A new European Parliament report advocates for legally binding regulations to block illegal live sports streams within 30 minutes across the EU. This initiative, authored by Professor Giovanni Maria Riccio, suggests mandatory real-time blocking, a significant shift from current voluntary guidelines. If adopted, streaming intermediaries would face a maximum 30-minute window to remove infringing content after a rights holder files a complaint.

Network infrastructure providers, including ISPs, CDNs, and VPNs, would be subject to dynamic blocking orders. Experts express concerns that such rapid enforcement, relying on IP and DNS filtering, could result in substantial collateral damage. Past aggressive campaigns have led to the widespread blocking of legitimate websites. The report acknowledges these risks, recommending narrowly tailored blocking orders and judicial oversight.

Furthermore, the study identifies the fragmented and costly nature of legal sports access as a driver for piracy. It suggests that blocking measures alone are insufficient unless accompanied by improvements in the affordability and accessibility of legal streaming options. The European Commission is currently reviewing copyright directives, increasing pressure for harmonized enforcement against live-content piracy.