Source: REUTERS/Jon Nazca
[Saba Sports News] La Liga has officially reported more than 1,000 cases of pirated broadcasts of its matches to various hotels, restaurants, and catering establishments to protect its copyrights. It is estimated that around 170,000 such establishments in Spain have the potential to subscribe to football matches, with 50,000 subscribing to last season’s La Liga broadcasts. La Liga has identified at least 15,000 institutions that have been broadcasting matches illegally. Such piracy not only infringes on clubs’ rights but also creates unfair competition for law-abiding establishments, causing an annual loss of nearly 35 million euros in the hotel and catering industry. Institutions and individuals found guilty of infringement will face penalties of approximately 1,000 euros, with higher penalties for repeat offenders. La Liga has also pursued cross-border claims, including in Andorra, where more than 20 claims have been made. The efforts of La Liga to combat piracy are commendable, and fans’ opinions on this matter are highly anticipated.