26 November 2025

The European Internet Forum hosted a debate on the growing challenge of online piracy of live sports and cultural events, chaired by Hannes Heide MEP. The discussion brought together representatives from the European Commission and a broad range of stakeholders to examine recent trends, assess the impact of existing EU measures, and consider possible avenues for stronger action. Speakers highlighted the scale of financial losses, the implications for Europe’s cultural and sports ecosystems, and the need for effective and timely enforcement tools. The event took place against the backdrop of the Commission’s forthcoming assessment of its 2023 recommendation, providing a timely platform for reflection and exchange.

Online piracy of live sports and other live events
Opening Remarks – Hannes Heide MEP

Hannes Heide MEP opened the debate by underlining the urgency of addressing online piracy of live sports and cultural events. He noted that the scale of the problem remained insufficiently recognised among policymakers despite its significant financial and social impact. He stressed that piracy deprived the sports ecosystem of resources needed for infrastructure, youth participation, and broader societal objectives. He warned that delays in the expected European Commission proposal had prolonged uncertainty for stakeholders who continued to face widespread losses. He called for stronger awareness, decisive action, and a clearer path forward at EU level.

The Commission’s Perspective

Emmanuelle du Chalard presented the Commission’s assessment of the measures introduced since the 2023 recommendation on combating piracy of live events. She stressed that the Commission had closely monitored the uptake of the recommended measures, supported by data collection coordinated with stakeholders and the EUIPO Observatory. She highlighted the relevance of the Digital Services Act, noting its provisions on notice and action, trusted flaggers, and enforcement through Digital Service Coordinators. She pointed to developments in several member states that introduced or strengthened dynamic injunctions tailored to live content, reflecting the evolving complexity of intermediary roles. She noted that the Commission’s forthcoming assessment would evaluate effectiveness, remaining challenges, and the potential need for further measures, with continued engagement of Parliament, stakeholders, and national authorities.

Stakeholder Speeches

David Frautschy emphasised the need for policy tools that protect content without undermining the functioning of the internet. He argued that blunt instruments such as IP or DNS blocking risked causing unintended disruption to legitimate online services, citing examples where such measures had affected content creators, businesses, and users. He warned that these approaches did not remove illegal content at its source and could weaken public trust when perceived as breaking core parts of the internet’s architecture. Mr Frautschy called instead for smarter cooperation with hosting providers, improved mechanisms to identify and act on illegal content, and closer international coordination. He stressed that solutions must preserve an open and global internet while supporting rights holders in addressing live event piracy.

A short video presented findings from research conducted by Grant Thornton for the Live Content Coalition. It reported that over 26 million takedown notices were issued between 2024 and mid-2025, yet only 11 percent resulted in suspension. It further highlighted that only 8 percent of infringements were removed during the live event and that merely 6 percent were addressed within 30 minutes, underscoring the limited progress since the adoption of the Commission’s 2023 recommendation.

Anita Debaere highlighted the impact of online piracy on Europe’s live performance ecosystem, representing more than 13,000 cultural organisations across the continent. She noted that the sector’s increasing use of digital tools, particularly since the pandemic, had expanded opportunities for artists but had also exposed them to a sharp rise in unauthorised online sharing. She recalled that fake live streams, fraudulent social media accounts, and deceptive platforms had proliferated, creating revenue losses and undermining trust among audiences. Ms Debaere referred to the video findings shared earlier, stressing that the low rate of timely takedowns made it difficult for organisers to invest confidently in digital formats. She called for EU action that strengthens cooperation with online platforms, enables rapid and proportionate enforcement, and protects the sustainability of cultural value chains.

Mark Lichtenhein stressed that piracy represented one of the most significant threats to the sports sector, with an estimated half of the market affected. He warned that the value lost to illegal services - potentially €30 billion globally - was depriving the sports model of resources essential for reinvestment, including support for grassroots activities. He argued that the current framework, including the 2023 recommendation, had not produced the necessary results, as illustrated by the limited number of notices actioned within the critical live window. Mr Lichtenhein emphasised the need for obligations on intermediaries to act immediately at source, reducing reliance on site-blocking measures. He also drew attention to the growing role of organised crime in large scale piracy networks, urging swift legislative action to curb their expansion.

Jean Baptiste Amilhat outlined Sky’s perspective on the continued rise of piracy and the resulting economic and consumer harm. He noted that piracy threatened billions of euros invested annually in original content, sports rights, and news, and referred to national studies demonstrating substantial losses across major EU markets. He highlighted consumer surveys indicating high levels of illicit access, combined with a willingness among users to continue such practices. Mr Amilhat stressed that piracy exposed viewers to severe risks, including identity theft and financial fraud, with research showing significant monetary losses among affected individuals. He argued that the Commission’s 2023 recommendation had not delivered adequate results and reiterated the need for immediate takedowns, dynamic blocking injunctions, and stronger obligations on intermediaries, including know-your-customer requirements.

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