Court Authorizes ‘Dynamic’ Pirate Site-Blocking in Spain

A Spanish court has handed down an order that will compel local ISPs to block pirate sites and services, primarily to prevent the unlicensed distribution of live football matches. Broadcaster Telefónica Audiovisual Digital can add new sites, IP addresses, and URLs, without judicial oversight. The injunction targets prominent operators such as Vodafone, Orange, MásMóvil, Euskaltel, Lycamobile, and also the broadcaster’s own ISP. The inunction has a trick up its sleeve, in that it allows the broadcaster to notify new sites to the ISPs every week for blocking, without having to ask for permission.