Italian broadcaster obtains injunction against website facilitating illegal football streaming

In an injunction issued on 16 July 2013, the Civil Court of Rome ruled that by providing links to streaming services, an Italian news website had infringed on copyrights owned by a major Italian media company, in relation to the broadcasting of football matches. In particular, in the text of its order, the Court explained that although a simple item of information indicating the availability of streaming football matches websites may constitute the legitimate exercise of right of freedom of the press, the systematic and repeated posting, using a link contained in an informative communication about matches about to start, has the effect of offering to the public a tool for the immediate and easy identification of sites where they can see the event for free. In ruling against the defendant, the Court of Rome prohibited the provision, in any way, of information on the name and how to access the websites allowing the unlawful streaming of the Italian media company’s content. A penalty was set for any violation or failure to comply with the measure and for each day of delay in the execution of the order.