Football streaming site gets €31.6M penalty « Euro Weekly News
Pierluigi Collina’s face was used as the streaming service’s logo. Here is the man himself, UEFA Head of Referees during a press conference of the Football Federation of Ukraine. July 11, 2011 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Credit: Shutterstock, Sodel Vladyslav
In a historic ruling, Spain’s Supreme Court has ordered Puerto Projects and its notorious administrator, Igor Seoane, to pay a jaw-dropping €31.6 million in damages for streaming LaLiga matches illegally.
This was a big win for media giant Mediapro, coming after nearly a decade-long legal wrangle over stolen broadcasts from the 2014-15 LaLiga season. The once-popular pirate sports streaming site, was at the heart of the racket, offering free access to premium content and cashing in on sneaky ad revenue. The illegal streaming service showed La Liga, Premier League, and Champions League football among many others. All streaming was offered for free in exchange for viewers watching pop-up ads. They raked in millions in ad revenue and became a cult website in the process.
Mediapro’s golden goal
Barcelona-based Mediapro, which spearheaded the legal fight, has emerged victorious in what’s being hailed as a pivotal moment for intellectual property rights. The ruling not only shuts down Rojadirecta in Spain but also secures a hefty payout for the damages caused by the site’s sneaky operations.
The Supreme Court ruling cites massive financial losses for LaLiga and Mediapro, with the illegal streams siphoning viewers from legitimate broadcasters. Mediapro’s courtroom triumph marks the culmination of a campaign to not just banish Rojadirecta but to hold its operators accountable for their years of dodgy dealings.
Dirty tactics exposed
Rojadirecta’s business model was as cunning as it was criminal. While punters streamed matches for free, the site’s operators pocketed millions through ads and redirected traffic to betting websites. Judicial reports reveal the site raked in more than €11 million through a single account tied to Puerto Projects.
The scheme, which saw private broadcasters’ exclusive sports content pirated, was a win-win for Puerto Projects – but a massive foul for broadcasters footing the bill for TV rights.
Legal match of the decade
The case, led by Mediapro and LaLiga, has been one for the history books. In addition to shuttering Rojadirecta’s illicit operations, the ruling opens the door for further crackdowns on other illegal streaming services. LaLiga is reportedly considering legal action against individual users who took part in the piracy boom.
The age of free-for-all football streaming seems to be coming to a decisive end, leaving pirate operators scrambling for cover.
Stay tuned for extra time.
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