indi Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 ...the reason why clips, streams, etc, are not allowed: Premier League goes to war on internet pirates • Action wanted on broad front to combat rogue websites • League fears illegal broadcasts will reduce its income * Owen Gibson * guardian.co.uk, Thursday 22 January 2009 00.32 GMT The Premier League is planning an aggressive campaign to protect its intellectual property rights in an attempt to clamp down on rogue websites that show football matches for nothing and pub landlords who broadcast foreign feeds, amid fears that they could damage its income from broadcasting rights. Having recently recorded a surge in the number of people watching via websites that transmit live pictures from overseas broadcasters or allow users to share vision using "peer-to-peer" video sites, the league is determined to push the issue up the political agenda. Premier League lawyers want the culture secretary, Andy Burnham, and the business secretary, Lord Mandelson, to crack down on copyright infringement by making internet service providers responsible for the actions of their subscribers, and appoint an "IP tsar" to coordinate action across government. Having been vigilant for years against wholesale piracy the league's lawyers have recently taken a high-profile lobbying role in the UK, Europe and internationally. The league has been liaising with sporting authorities around the world, media owners and other affected parties to highlight the need for urgent action and more consistent enforcement. The chief executive, Richard Scudamore, last week told the all-party IP group of MPs that the government needed to take a harder line and do more to implement the recommendations in a report on copyright by Andrew Gowers. Stephen Carter, the communications minister, is due to unveil a draft report on the future of Digital Britain next week. "The ISPs have got to take more responsibility," said a Premier League lawyer. "We have sent over 700 cease-and-desist letters and had an 87% success rate this season. [but] one of our problems is that often the sites reregister a domain name, using false names and addresses, and sign up with an ISP in a less protected country – 60% of peer-to-peer activity has been coming out of China. ISPs have to take on a stronger role and have a better enforcement policy." The league said that when officials from countries traditionally seen as "safe harbours", such as China, were confronted about piracy, they typically asked why more was not being done by the UK government or within Europe. Already millions of computer users across the world watch matches live without paying a subscription fee. The Premier League fears that the mainstream use of broadband and the increased popularity of watching video online make widespread piracy a very real prospect, which could seriously reduce the amount broadcasters are prepared to pay. Sporting authorities are terrified of following the path of the music industry, which saw its business model collapse after it failed to combat digital piracy. The league made £625m from its overseas rights deals last time around and a total of £2.7bn overall, and is banking on another increase after 2010 to compensate for a potential dip in domestic income. The Premier League recently led a coalition of 27 sporting bodies to prepare a background report for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development at the behest of the G8. The report said unauthorised live streams of some sporting events were already being watched by more than one million people. Websites that offer access to live unauthorised coverage from PCs, usually sourced from overseas broadcasters in the Far East or around the world, have been popular with a small minority of web users unwilling to pay for a TV subscription for some time. Poor quality pictures and audio, combined with the determination required to track them down, previously made them a niche pursuit. But with feeds now of a higher quality and easier to access there are fears that more and more cash-strapped fans will turn to them. And with many of the illicit feeds originating from China and elsewhere around the world, the Premier League is reliant on specialist internet firms to track them down and persuade internet service providers to punish individuals. Late last year, the Premier League threatened action against the US website, Justin.tv, which allows its users to share and stream footage from all over the world. It has also launched a high-profile class action against YouTube, which is expected to be heard in the US later this year. The original class action, launched in 2007, was recently superseded by a second complaint at the end of last year. Scudamore has been bullish about the prospect of the value of its media deals holding up despite the global economic slump that has affected media companies and their advertisers, because live Premier League crucial is considered so crucial to their business models. Major US sporting bodies are also taking the prospect of revenue loss from illicit online viewing seriously. Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association have all taken steps to stem the rising tide of online piracy. MLB employees three people full-time to monitor illegal broadcasts and last year recorded 5,000 separate incidents. Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jan/21/premier-league-cracks-down-on-illegal-broadcasts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stephen927 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Anyone got a link? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatwax Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Maybe if clubs didn't charge an arm and a leg for tickets and channels like Setanta didn't make fixtures painful to watch for an unreasonable fee more people would actually attend the games. I imagine teams like Blackburn are just chuffed that somebody is watching them at all to be fair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 League fears illegal broadcasts will reduce its income Boo fucking hoo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Fuck football, i'm thinking about getting rip of sky sports. I refuse to pay for Setanta already. Greedy cunts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliMag Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 The league is only a couple years behind the music industry. They will need to change to survive. This new campaign is just like shutting down Napster - delaying the inevitable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatwax Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 And another thing, the TV companies hardly seem bothered when they fuck up peoples plans by changing the televised matches last minute. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's booked train tickets to go see a match or booked a day off work only for these wankers to change the kick off times/days. They can fuck off the lot of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Maybe if clubs didn't charge an arm and a leg for tickets and channels like Setanta didn't make fixtures painful to watch for an unreasonable fee more people would actually attend the games. I imagine teams like Blackburn are just chuffed that somebody is watching them at all to be fair. I totally agree, they've been fucking us over for years it's hardly surprising no-one has any sympathy for them and is happy to screw them given the chance. Also, if the Premier League had a brain they'd see that the reason the music industry is suffering is because instead of embracing the new technology they tried to destroy it and in doing so they were happy to criminalise the majority of their customers, those were two of the most monumental mistakes an industry has ever made in the history of business, and they're reaping the whirlwind now. Imagine what kind of revenue the Premier League could bring in by doing their own official high quality streams!?! Just the advertising revenue would be phenomenal. They should separate off the internet rights and do they're own streams of every match at a high bit-rate for a cheap price (£1 a match or whatever), or farm it out to someone else. If they did they'd kill most of the illegal stuff almost over-night, as they wouldn't be able to compete with the quality and people would pay a nominal fee to avoid all the hassle associated with what's available now. The money they'd generate would at minimum offset the reduced fees traditional broadcasters might be prepare to pay as a consequence. This is what the music industry should have done, but they were too slow (they still don't get it, even now!) and everyone got used to downloading music for free and now resents paying for something of lower quality when they can get better quality easily for free. The music industry has already lost the battle, the sports industry is in danger of doing the same, if they try and ape their failed tactics. The online streaming of football, etc is still of a small enough scale that they could turn it around, but they need to act quickly, as it won't be for much longer. Having said all that, it's still not okay to risk this site's future by posting links to streams, etc, so don't so it, anyone who does will be banned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guinness_fiend Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 So you are telling me that the multi-billion pound music industry that is losing money hand over fist cannot get a handle on internet piracy and peer-to-peer broadcasting, but the Premier League, with a fraction of the revenue, can? Right. Good luck with that chaps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtype Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I would buy it if you sold it you fucking idiots. Figure out a way for the matches to be watched legally online for a reasonable price and the piracy problem will be solved. Simple as that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkhead Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 ha, good luck with that! P2P isn't an easy thing to sue.. especially when the broadcaster is just some dude in Asia. They'll probably close a couple of the popular flv streaming sites and that'd be it.. the greedy twats Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Maybe if clubs didn't charge an arm and a leg for tickets and channels like Setanta didn't make fixtures painful to watch for an unreasonable fee more people would actually attend the games. I imagine teams like Blackburn are just chuffed that somebody is watching them at all to be fair. I totally agree, they've been f***ing us over for years it's hardly surprising no-one has any sympathy for them and is happy to screw them given the chance. Also, if the Premier League had a brain they'd see that the reason the music industry is suffering is because instead of embracing the new technology they tried to destroy it and in doing so they were happy to criminalise the majority of their customers, those were two of the most monumental mistakes an industry has ever made in the history of business, and they're reaping the whirlwind now. Imagine what kind of revenue the Premier League could bring in by doing their own official high quality streams!?! Just the advertising revenue would be phenomenal. They should separate off the internet rights and do they're own streams of every match at a high bit-rate for a cheap price (£1 a match or whatever), or farm it out to someone else. If they did they'd kill most of the illegal stuff almost over-night, as they wouldn't be able to compete with the quality and people would pay a nominal fee to avoid all the hassle associated with what's available now. The money they'd generate would at minimum offset the reduced fees traditional broadcasters might be prepare to pay as a consequence. This is what the music industry should have done, but they were too slow (they still don't get it, even now!) and everyone got used to downloading music for free and now resents paying for something of lower quality when they can get better quality easily for free. The music industry has already lost the battle, the sports industry is in danger of doing the same, if they try and ape their failed tactics. The online streaming of football, etc is still of a small enough scale that they could turn it around, but they need to act quickly, as it won't be for much longer. Having said all that, it's still not okay to risk this site's future by posting links to streams, etc, so don't so it, anyone who does will be banned. That would seriously fuck sky off who lash the most money in the pot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnypd Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I would buy it if you sold it you fucking idiots. Figure out a way for the matches to be watched legally online for a reasonable price and the piracy problem will be solved. Simple as that. it's a huge opportunity for them and if they took advantage of it they'd see the amount of people watching increase. trying to fight the technology is pointless, it's already around and when you shut down one site two more pop up in its place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtype Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Maybe if clubs didn't charge an arm and a leg for tickets and channels like Setanta didn't make fixtures painful to watch for an unreasonable fee more people would actually attend the games. I imagine teams like Blackburn are just chuffed that somebody is watching them at all to be fair. I totally agree, they've been f***ing us over for years it's hardly surprising no-one has any sympathy for them and is happy to screw them given the chance. Also, if the Premier League had a brain they'd see that the reason the music industry is suffering is because instead of embracing the new technology they tried to destroy it and in doing so they were happy to criminalise the majority of their customers, those were two of the most monumental mistakes an industry has ever made in the history of business, and they're reaping the whirlwind now. Imagine what kind of revenue the Premier League could bring in by doing their own official high quality streams!?! Just the advertising revenue would be phenomenal. They should separate off the internet rights and do they're own streams of every match at a high bit-rate for a cheap price (£1 a match or whatever), or farm it out to someone else. If they did they'd kill most of the illegal stuff almost over-night, as they wouldn't be able to compete with the quality and people would pay a nominal fee to avoid all the hassle associated with what's available now. The money they'd generate would at minimum offset the reduced fees traditional broadcasters might be prepare to pay as a consequence. This is what the music industry should have done, but they were too slow (they still don't get it, even now!) and everyone got used to downloading music for free and now resents paying for something of lower quality when they can get better quality easily for free. The music industry has already lost the battle, the sports industry is in danger of doing the same, if they try and ape their failed tactics. The online streaming of football, etc is still of a small enough scale that they could turn it around, but they need to act quickly, as it won't be for much longer. Having said all that, it's still not okay to risk this site's future by posting links to streams, etc, so don't so it, anyone who does will be banned. That would seriously f*** sky off who lash the most money in the pot. They'd literally make a zillion dollars if they implemented such a system and just limited it to overseas viewers. No need to piss off Sky either. I would happily plunk down a hundred pound a year or more to be able to watch a HQ stream of every Newcastle game. And so would many, many others. Unfortunately they just don't get it. And just like Apple had to cram iTunes down the music industry's throat, they probably never will. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M4 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Soon enough, sporting events are going to be some of the only things people will want to see live. What with all regular TV moving a little closer every day towards 'on demand'. I'm sure they're plotting something. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Liam Liam O Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 So if everyone else is doing it................. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Maybe if clubs didn't charge an arm and a leg for tickets and channels like Setanta didn't make fixtures painful to watch for an unreasonable fee more people would actually attend the games. I imagine teams like Blackburn are just chuffed that somebody is watching them at all to be fair. I totally agree, they've been f***ing us over for years it's hardly surprising no-one has any sympathy for them and is happy to screw them given the chance. Also, if the Premier League had a brain they'd see that the reason the music industry is suffering is because instead of embracing the new technology they tried to destroy it and in doing so they were happy to criminalise the majority of their customers, those were two of the most monumental mistakes an industry has ever made in the history of business, and they're reaping the whirlwind now. Imagine what kind of revenue the Premier League could bring in by doing their own official high quality streams!?! Just the advertising revenue would be phenomenal. They should separate off the internet rights and do they're own streams of every match at a high bit-rate for a cheap price (£1 a match or whatever), or farm it out to someone else. If they did they'd kill most of the illegal stuff almost over-night, as they wouldn't be able to compete with the quality and people would pay a nominal fee to avoid all the hassle associated with what's available now. The money they'd generate would at minimum offset the reduced fees traditional broadcasters might be prepare to pay as a consequence. This is what the music industry should have done, but they were too slow (they still don't get it, even now!) and everyone got used to downloading music for free and now resents paying for something of lower quality when they can get better quality easily for free. The music industry has already lost the battle, the sports industry is in danger of doing the same, if they try and ape their failed tactics. The online streaming of football, etc is still of a small enough scale that they could turn it around, but they need to act quickly, as it won't be for much longer. Having said all that, it's still not okay to risk this site's future by posting links to streams, etc, so don't so it, anyone who does will be banned. That would seriously fuck sky off who lash the most money in the pot. It's happening though and it'll just get bigger and better, the choice they have is to be involved and make money out of it or not be involved and not make any money out of it. It's going to fuck Sky off anyway and they'll undoubtedly want to reduce the amount they pay for rights, the Premier League can either go some way to making that reduced income up (maybe even exceeding it) by generating revenue from streams or they can simply lose it all. Sky aren't going to completely walk away from Premiership football, they can't afford to, as it's the only reason most people are prepared to pay for their product. The money from sky isn't going to disappear although it'll probably fall, whatever happens with streams. If they walked away (which they won't) then someone else would take their place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJS Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I've been expecting internet rights to be a part of at least the last two tv deals - the fact that they haven't shows that as others have said the PL has its head up its arse when it comes to this. I can see the argument on copyright but I honestly can't see the argument on reducing income - most PL grounds are pretty full and I can't see streams making anything but a negligible difference. Having said that I suppose they could argue that people wouldn't have to get sky but thats an issue for sky not the PL. I honestly think the future is for the clubs to sell "e-tickets" for all their matches and this is what I can't believe they haven't got around to yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gleebals Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 The only streams I have seen (not via here of course!!) were shite anyway. Back to the point, who gives a monkeys about Sky, its not as if they have not been making a killing all along. Competition for the likes of Setanta is surely worse - there monopoly is broken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 You can watch live matches on Sky's website already if you're a TV subscriber - it's been available for a few years. It's only the Saturday 3pm games (and those on other channels) that they can't show, and that's for the usual reasons regarding actual match-going crowds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJS Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 It's only the Saturday 3pm games (and those on other channels) that they can't show, and that's for the usual reasons regarding actual match-going crowds. Which I don't get - are they really saying that an appreciable number of people would watch a 3pm KO on TV that they would otherwise have gone to? - if thats the case why are the crowds for televised games not that badly affected. Even worse is the notion that someone would stop in and watch a team other than their own rather than go to a game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 As an overseas fan I'd pay good money to get live streams of every single toon game. Of course, since they're more interested in suing me rather than selling their own product, fuck them for all they're worth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 It's only the Saturday 3pm games (and those on other channels) that they can't show, and that's for the usual reasons regarding actual match-going crowds. Which I don't get - are they really saying that an appreciable number of people would watch a 3pm KO on TV that they would otherwise have gone to? - if thats the case why are the crowds for televised games not that badly affected. Even worse is the notion that someone would stop in and watch a team other than their own rather than go to a game. Don't ask me. It's been in place for donkey's years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikri Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I would buy it if you sold it you fucking idiots. Figure out a way for the matches to be watched legally online for a reasonable price and the piracy problem will be solved. Simple as that. QFE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 So you are telling me that the multi-billion pound music industry that is losing money hand over fist cannot get a handle on internet piracy and peer-to-peer broadcasting, but the Premier League, with a fraction of the revenue, can? Right. Good luck with that chaps. They don't have to actually get a handle on it. ISPs would much rather lose N-O's £100 or 200 a month than fight a potentially lost battle and lose everything against a group with hundreds of lawyers and tons more funds. It's a no brainer for them. The threat of litigation is enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now