Through its various domains, the Livehd7 network had logged more than 21.4 million monthly visits — totally more than 257 million visits over the last 12 months. Site traffic originated primarily from Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, France, Germany and the United States.
Egyptian authorities collaborated with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), to shut down the notorious sports piracy network that illegally streamed live football/soccer matches to audiences around the world.
Operating since late 2020, Livehd7’s network of live streaming websites and at least 85 associated domains offered users access to matches from Europe’s top football/soccer leagues including England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga, France’s Ligue 1 and Portugal’s Primeira Liga, as well as the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS) and domestic cup competitions in those countries.
The content also included all UEFA club competitions and international qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro and EUEFA Nations League, and CONMEBOL Copa America.
In addition to European and North American leagues, the illicitly streamed content included national leagues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, such as the Saudi Pro League.
The ring operators frequently built new domains to circumvent site blocking and other enforcement measures implemented in the countries where users accessed the illicit content. The sites are now re-directed to the ACE “Watch Legally” Web site.
Latest in a series of takedowns
In recent months, ACE has worked with local authorities in the MENA region to shutter unlawful streaming operations. Major takedowns include Laroza, formerly the largest piracy site in MENA taken down last month; Cima4U, which operated nearly 500 illegal domains and was shut down in January; and five other MENA-based piracy rings closed in 2023.
Further reading
ACE and Egyptian authorities shut down major live sports piracy ring. Press release. October 29, 2024. ACE Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment.
ACE supports Laroza shutdown by Egyptian authorities, largest piracy site in region. Article. by Steven Hawley. September 11, 2024. Piracy Monitor
MBC Group and OSN detail the impact of Cima4U piracy operation, shut down by ACE. Article. by Steven Hawley. May 23, 2024. Piracy Monitor
ACE: Egyptian authorities shut down four pirate operators following three raids. Article. by Steven Hawley. September 6, 2023. Piracy Monitor
MovizLand piracy operation shut down by ACE and Egyptian law enforcement. Article. by Steven Hawley. June 28, 2023. Piracy Monitor
Why it matters
“Egyptian-operated pirate websites are popular across the Middle East and North Africa and Arabic-speaking markets generally, causing detrimental harm to our industry,” said Cameron Andrews, Legal Director of Anti-Piracy at beIN MEDIA GROUP. “According to our research, in the MENA region alone, they cost beIN over a $1 billion USD a year and threaten the viability of our business, which in turn has a direct effect on what broadcasters can pay for sports rights.”
