MotoGP, the organization behind the highest racing class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, won a decision by the the Paris Judicial Court that requires the Internet service provider Cloudflare to apply DNS blocking, suspend CDN service and disable reverse proxy access to illegal broadcasts of MotoGP programming by 14 illegal sites.
The illegal sites were identified by Canal+, which is the rights holder for that programming in France. As a ‘technical intermediary,’ Cloudflare has been held liable for illegal broadcasts over its infrastructure and directed to block access starting next April.
Cloudflare had argued that implementing these blocks was technically complex and expensive, but because the company failed to demonstrate these hardships, that justification was rejected by the court.
The decision could be appealed.
Further reading
MotoGP vs. Piracy: A decisive blow in France with Cloudflare in the sights. Article. April 6, 2025. by MotoGP via paddock-gp.com
France’s first anti-digital piracy sentence: Cloudflare to block illegal transmissions of MotoGP. Article. April 4, 2025. by Frank Calviño. Cross Border Magazine
Why it matters
“This is a victory for Dorna Sports, organizer of MotoGP, at a time when the popularity of motorcycle racing is exploding in France—and with it, piracy,” said MotoGP, in a prepared statement.
MotoGP said that this decision could well have repercussions far beyond France. If followed by other European and international jurisdictions, it could complicate the task of pirates seeking to illegally broadcast sporting events. In any case, this legal victory sends a strong message and a warning to those involved in sports piracy worldwide.
