Italy intensifies crackdown on content piracy

Italian authorities are intensifying their crackdown on subscription-based content piracy, especially in the area of sports streaming. The Communications Regulatory Authority, AgCom, has revealed plans to expand its Piracy Shield platform to include a wider variety of content such as cultural events, music, and TV series.

The Piracy Shield platform, launched last February, aims to identify and penalize those who consume pirated content. It has already made significant strides in curbing piracy, having blocked over 1,000 online domains and more than 500 IP addresses linked to illegal streaming since the beginning of the current football season in Italy.

To enhance enforcement, AgCom is collaborating with law enforcement agencies and technology companies to identify online pirates. A protocol has been signed with the Guardia di Finanza and Rome’s Public Prosecutor Office, and AgCom is also partnering with Google and Cloudflare.

Authorities will soon have access to personal information such as names, surnames, IP addresses, and other identifying details of those using pirated streaming services. This will enable AgCom to impose fines on individuals accessing illegal content, with penalties ranging from €150 to €15,000, as per sanctions introduced under a law passed in July 2023.

These initiatives are aimed at discouraging piracy, safeguarding the rights of content creators, and maintaining a fair market for legitimate content providers.

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