Spain to expand internet blocks to tennis, golf, movies broadcasting times (bandaancha.eu)

Article summary

Telefónica, a Spanish telecommunications company, has obtained a court order to block internet access to certain IP addresses, URLs, and domains during the broadcast of sports events, including football, tennis, and golf, as well as movies and series. This move aims to prevent the unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content. The blocks will be applied dynamically and will affect not only major internet service providers but also smaller, regional operators. The measure has raised concerns about its impact on legitimate online services and the potential for collateral damage.

Main themes

• Internet censorship
• Copyright protection
• Sports broadcasting
• Telecommunications regulation
• Online piracy

What commenters say

• The blocking of Cloudflare and other CDNs during sports events is an overly broad measure that causes significant collateral damage to legitimate online services.
• The measure is ineffective in preventing piracy, as pirates can easily find alternative ways to access copyrighted content.
• The economic cost of the blocks, in terms of lost productivity and inconvenience, may outweigh the benefits of protecting copyrighted content.
• The law is being misapplied, as it only requires the blocking of specific pirate sites, not entire CDNs or IP ranges.
• Cloudflare's business model is seen as facilitating piracy, and the company's refusal to comply with DMCA notices is a major issue.
• The blocks are a form of censorship that undermines the open nature of the internet and sets a dangerous precedent for future restrictions.
• The measure is driven by the financial interests of sports organizations and telecommunications companies, rather than a genuine concern for copyright protection.
• The blocks will ultimately be ineffective in preventing piracy, as determined individuals will always find ways to circumvent them.