The Rights Alliance’s work on blocking is further intensified with The Danish League joining, focusing on transmissions of illegal live sports. The Rights Alliance’s efforts and experience in the field of blocking are not only significant for Danish rights holders but also for other countries worldwide, which are currently being introduced to our work in this area.
Denmark has built up extensive experience over the years in blocking illegal content on the internet. This expertise is the reason why Maria Fredenslund, CEO of the Rights Alliance, has been asked by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to author a report on blocking as an effective legal remedy. The report is being presented this week at a major international conference hosted by WIPO in Geneva.
The Rights Alliance has solid experience in how blocking measures can be used to protect rights and combat the illegal distribution of content on digital platforms. By participating in the WIPO conference, the Rights Alliance has the opportunity to share its expertise with an international audience and contribute to a broader understanding of how blocking can be effectively and legally implemented. This knowledge can benefit other countries in their efforts to improve rights protection. Juan Rotgér, Content Protection Officer at the Rights Alliance, is attending the WIPO conference, where he will present and provide perspectives on the report’s findings.
Live content can be protected by the blocking system
In December, a years-long court case was concluded, establishing that the production and recordings of sports events can be protected under copyright law and can therefore be enforced and safeguarded through the Danish blocking system. This ruling represents a significant milestone both in Denmark and internationally, as it is the first European case in which a court has determined that sports events can be protected by copyright. The court confirms: Live sports can be copyright-protected in Denmark
The court confirms: Live sports can be copyright-protected in Denmark
France has also placed great emphasis on using blocking measures to protect rights holders from the illegal distribution of live content, such as sports broadcasts. In December 2024, the French authority ARCOM released a groundbreaking report showing that blocking illegal live content, such as links to live football matches, has led to a 41% decrease in consumption of such content since its peak in 2021.
With the confirmation that sports events can be protected under copyright law and the promising results from France regarding blocking live content, the Rights Alliance is optimistic that it will be able to help even more rights holders protect their content in the future.
Looking beyond Europe, blocking orders also play a crucial role in combating illegal live content. In India, courts have confirmed that existing copyright laws provide a strong legal foundation for blocking illegal websites. Meanwhile, in Uruguay, the government has introduced a special law to strengthen efforts against illegal live streams. Blocking orders are therefore an effective tool for enforcing regulations across different countries and legal systems. Close cooperation with internet service providers is essential in limiting access to illegal content and promoting the use of legal services.
The Danish League joins the Rights Alliance
We look forward to implementing this renewed and intensified focus on live content in collaboration with the Danish League. In the coming period, we will work towards additional DNS blocking of websites that offer illegal live sports, including 3F Superliga matches. The results from France are promising, indicating that blocking measures can help curb the widespread infringement of live sports broadcasting rights.