Italy takes a decisive step in its fight against online piracy by passing a new law that strengthens regulation and establishes drastic measures against the illegal distribution of copyrighted content.
The telecommunications regulator AGCOM has given its full support to this law, which will allow for the nationwide blocking of pirated live events and the prosecution of users of illegal broadcasts . The measure, which will come into effect on August 8, puts Italy at the forefront of the fight against digital piracy in Europe.
Being an IPTV customer will be expensive in Italy.
The new law, unanimously approved by the Chamber of Deputies in March and subsequently endorsed by the Senate , grants AGCOM expanded powers to combat the unauthorized distribution of content, particularly in the area of live sports broadcasts. It also allows the state to impose fines of up to €5.000 on users of pirated broadcasts.
The amendments to the Online Copyright Enforcement Regulation 680/13/CONS have been welcomed by AGCOM, which can now issue "dynamic injunctions" against online service providers of all kinds, including measures normally reserved for judges of Europe's highest courts.
New Law to Crush Pirate IPTV Unanimously Approved By Italian Senate https://t.co/s7Gm8VjMcy
— TF 🌊 (@torrentfreak) July 14, 2023
The main objective of these measures is to expedite the blocking of unlicensed IPTV services, rendering them inaccessible nationwide. AGCOM has stated that these measures will make it possible to disable access to pirated content in as little as 30 minutes from the start of the event broadcast by blocking DNS resolution of domain names and routing network traffic to IP addresses used for illicit activities.
The law, dated July 14, 2023, also establishes the obligation for internet service providers to submit detailed reports to the Public Prosecutor's Office in the Court of Rome regarding all activities undertaken to comply with the blocking measures imposed by AGCOM. Those who fail to comply with the regulator's instructions will face substantial financial penalties, with fines that can reach up to €265,000.
The harm caused by pirate IPTV justifies the Italian measure
Online piracy has been a serious problem affecting creators and copyright holders worldwide. Hackers and illegal websites have profited from the creative work of artists, producers, and entertainment industry professionals, causing millions of dollars in losses in legitimate revenue.
The new Italian law, which includes harsher penalties for those involved in the distribution of pirated content , seeks to discourage piracy and protect the copyright of creators.
AGCOM 's ability to issue "dynamic injunctions" will allow for faster and more effective blocking of illegal IPTV services, thereby reducing the availability of pirated content and protecting the revenue of copyright holders.
Furthermore, the law focuses on penalizing users who consume pirated content. With fines of up to €5,000 for those who access illegal streams , the aim is to raise awareness and discourage participation in piracy.
The harm that piracy causes to the creative industry is undeniable. Artists and creators invest time, effort, and resources in producing original, high-quality content. However, piracy allows free access to this content, significantly reducing the revenue that should be earned legitimately . As a result, many creators are discouraged from continuing to produce new content, which can negatively impact cultural diversity and the development of the entertainment industry.
