On September 26, Sports broadcaster DAZN sent letters to more than 2,200 illicit video consumers, asking them to settle their infractions by paying a lump-sum of €500 within seven days and further commit not to continue, or face further prosecution.
It was a follow-in to a decision made in May, when Italy’s Serie A football league, together with rights holders Sky and DAZN, worked with Italy’s financial law enforcement agency Guardia di Finanza (GdF), the Italian communications regulator AGCOM, and the Public Proscecutor’s office of Lecce to identify about 2,200 infringing video consumers across 80 Italian provinces.
At that time, it had been determined that these users would be fined €154 euros each under Italy’s anti-piracy laws.
DAZN’s September 26 letter
Translated, it begins:
“Dear Madam/Sir,
“In the context of criminal proceedings No. 7719/22 .G. N.R., filed with the Lecce Public Prosecutor’s Office,we have been found guilty of your unlawful acquisition of the subject matter, in violation of broadcasting rights (audiovisual rights, pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 9/2008) that belong exclusively to DAZN Limited (“DAZN”), as licensee. As a result of your unlawful conduct, you have been subject to a specific administrative sanction by the Guardia di Finanza.
“DAZN, the injured party, was notified of the investigations carried out against you by the competent unit of the Guardia di Finanza on September 5th.
Before taking legal action for compensation and protection, with the resulting increase in costs, DAN intends to explore the possibility of a settlement of the incident, with the payment of a lump sum compensation of €500.00 and with a formal commitment on your part to refrain from engaging in any further conduct that infringes the undersigned’s rights.”
The letter concludes with a deadline of seven days to pay.
Why it matters
This represents the next chapter in the ongoing battle by DAZN against piracy.
Just weeks ago, police officers in Catania, coordinated by the Postal Police Service and for the Cyber Security of Rome, arrested operators of a service once known as Hermes Television, and later, Skynet, which had been distributing television programs and live events from DAZN, Sky, Mediaset, Amazon Prime and Netflix.
In September, DAZN and ACE snnounced the shutdown of Calcio, an Italy-based piracy operator that had provided unauthorized access to premium sports content including top European football leagues, basketball leagues including the NBA; motorsports (including Formula 1 and Moto GP), tennis matches, and more.
Further reading
DAZN claims compensation for two thousand users already fined for piracy. Article. October 8, 2025. by Mario Canfora. La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy)
Italy: “Now it’s a red card” says football CEO. Regulator levies first piracy fines on consumers. Article. May 16, 2025. by Steven Hawley. Piracy Monitor
Italy: €30M/month illegal streaming network downed by regional authorities and Postal Police. Article. October 1, 2025. by Steven Hawley. Piracy Monitor
Calcio: Collaboration by ACE, DAZN shuts down major live sports streaming site. Article. September 8, 2025. by Steven Hawley. Piracy Monitor
