U.K. High Court Awards Premier League Order to Block Illegal Streams

The Premier League has been granted a blocking order to shut down illegal streams of matches during the upcoming 2018-19 football season.

The blocking order was granted by the U.K. High Court, in an effort to stop unauthorized streams from distributing coverage of the football games. A similar order was previously granted for the entirety of the 2017-18 season; the League was able to disrupt or block nearly 200,000 illegal streams of its content.

“Last season the Premier League operated one of the biggest and most successful anti-piracy programs in the world and this decision by the High Court is a significant factor in being able to continue that approach,” said Premier League Director of Services Kevin Plumb.

“A similar order granted last year was a game-changer for our work in this area, enabling us to block or disrupt nearly 200,000 illegal streams across the 2017-18 season.

“The ability that Premier League clubs have to develop and acquire talented players, to build and improve stadiums and to support communities and schools, is predicated on being able to market, sell and protect commercial rights.

“This makes the protection of our copyright hugely important to the future health of English football and beyond.”