Italy says anti-piracy system for illegal streaming is ready

Italy has introduced a system, called Piracy Shield, that it says can block illegal streaming and pirate IPTV providers within minutes of detection.

The system – aimed at illegal streams of live sporting events – was first announced in July and is now up and running, according to  Italy's communications regulator Agcom, which expects it to be fully operational by January 31 next year.

It adds that it is now up to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to carry out the activities needed to make the platform work in practice. In essence, rights holders can send takedown requests to Agcom, which in turn requests ISPS to take down illegal streams.

The operation of the platform is based on a “machine to machine” system, according to AgCom. Rights holders can upload violation reports directly on the platform, which automatically directs them to the hosting ISPs who must block the IP address and/or fully qualified domain name (FQDN) within the following 30 minutes.

Also in scope are VPNs and open DNS services, according to a TorrentFreak report, which notes that search engine providers will also have to take action to remove links to pirated streams. It says Google seems to be on board with that requirement.

A law mandating the implementation of Piracy Shield was passed in the summer and was warmly received by content providers including Italy’s Serie A football league, which has been vocal in demanding action on the illicit activity, claiming it was threatening the viability of competition, and was a driver for the development of the platform.

The law required the system to be live by December 7, and AgCom says it met that deadline, even though it will not be fully functional until the ISPs are on board.