The 2023 Recommendation encouraged EU Member States, rightholders, providers of intermediary services and other market players to take action against the unauthorised retransmission of live events, while guaranteeing the necessary safeguards to protect fundamental rights, in full compliance with EU law.
Now, the Commission seeks to update them; presumably both to simply recognize the evolution of piracy and ways to mitigate it, and to address criticisms of the 2023 recommendations by outside parties as being relatively ineffective.
Feedback wanted now
As provided in the Recommendation, the Commission needs to assess the effects of the Recommendation by November 17, 2025. The Commission is monitoring these effects, with the support of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (‘EUIPO’) Observatory.
The period to provide feedback is open until May 28, 2025.
Further reading
Commission launches a Call for Evidence in view of the assessment of the Recommendation on combatting online piracy of sports and other live events. Press release. April 30, 2025. European Commission
European Commission’s 2023 antipiracy recommendations have had little effect: Live Content Coalition. Article. March 17, 2025. by Steven Hawley. Piracy Monitor.
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/1018 of 4 May 2023 on combating online piracy of sports and other live events. Document 32023H1018. Policy recommendation. May 4, 2023. European Commission.
Why it matters
The objective of this Call for Evidence is to help the Commission gather further evidence on the effects of the measures proposed in the Recommendation and the possible need for any further measures.
It’s good to see the EC responding to outside opinion.
