UEFA obtained a High Court injunction "aimed at tackling illegal internet streaming" of Champions League and Europa League matches, according to Robert Cottingham of the London DAILY MAIL. A judge in London granted UEFA an injunction which calls on the six main retail internet service providers to "block illicit streams of UEFA matches." UEFA "followed in the path of the Premier League," which earlier this year called on ISPs to block pirate streaming of live English top-flight matches. Justice Richard Arnold said in a written statement, "UEFA's evidence establishes that it owns the copyright in television broadcasts of all matches in the UEFA competitions." Arnold observed the Premier League's injunction had "proved effective" (DAILY MAIL, 12/26).
CARIBBEAN RIGHTS DEAL: SOCCEREX reported Caribbean pay-TV channels Flow Sports and Sportsmax agreed to a shared deal with UEFA "for the broadcast rights to its club competitions" for the next three European seasons. The collaboration, which begins at the start of the '18-19 season, will mean that every fixture from the Champions League and the Europa League "will be available to viewers in the region" (SOCCEREX, 12/22).
RIGHTS IN RUSSIA: REUTERS' Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi reported FIFA on Friday said that it awarded media rights for the 2018 World Cup to 2SPORT2 in Russia. The rights were platform-neutral, granting the media group rights for TV, internet, mobile and radio coverage (REUTERS, 12/22).
