UEFA: the British High Court forces internet service providers to block illegal streaming

UEFA has obtained, from the British High Court, a ruling imposing six ISPs (BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk, and Virgin Media) to block the connection to servers hosting or streaming illegal broadcasts of matches of European Cups on 22/12/2017. The injunction resulting from this decision will be applicable during the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League and the Round of 32 of the Europa League, from 13/02/2018, and valid until the end of the 2017-18 season.

"UEFA’s evidence establishes that it owns the copyright in television broadcasts of all matches in the UEFA competitions, and in films (particularly replays), artistic works and musical works which are incorporated within those broadcasts. The rights are very valuable. BT has since 2013 been the exclusive licensee of the rights to broadcast and transmit the UEFA competitions in the UK The rights are very valuable. BT currently pays approximately £360m (€404m) each season for these rights together with the rights in respect of the UEFA Super Cup," said Richard Arnold, the judge in charge of the case.

The Premier League had…