📰 New article from TorrentFreak
UEFA Secures Pirate Site Blocking and (Global) Domain Suspension Order in India
UEFA Just Got a Global Power-Up Against Pirate Streams — And It’s Bigger Than It Looks
In a major win for sports rights holders, UEFA—backed by the Alliance of Creativity and Entertainment (ACE)—has secured a global domain suspension order in India, targeting 79 pirate streaming sites used to broadcast the Champions League and other top-tier matches.
Think of it as a digital takedown with teeth: Indian ISPs must block the sites locally, but crucially, 23 domain registrars—including GoDaddy, Tucows, and Squarespace—are also legally required to lock or suspend the domains worldwide. That means if your domain is on the list, it could go dark everywhere, not just in India.
The order uses an evolving legal tool called “Dynamic+” blocking, allowing UEFA to update the list in real time without returning to court—ideal for chasing狡猾 pirates who swap domains like flash mobs.
But here’s the twist: while Namecheap and others have complied in past cases, many of today’s targets remain online. Some sites are already redirecting to new domains or using more resilient registries (like Tonga’s government-run TLD for footybite.to). Registrars outside Indian jurisdiction may also be holding fire—at least for now.
Still, UEFA’s messaging is clear: Piracy just got harder to run at scale. As one exec put it, this is about protecting billions in broadcast value—and keeping fans, broadcasters, and clubs invested in the beautiful game.
The real test? Whether registrars with global reach truly act globally. For now, the cat-and-mouse game continues—one suspended domain at a time.