In 2018, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), through the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights, commissioned a research study on IPTV crime in Europe. The purpose of the research study was to enhance the level of understanding about the ways illegal internet protocol television (IPTV) is carried out, how the business models around this phenomenon work, and thereby provide a basis for subsequent identification of possible responses to tackle the challenge of the phenomenon more effectively.

The research study was commissioned to the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM) of Bournemouth University, which set up a team of researchers in law, economics and computer science. The research team was assisted by an expert group including rights holders, law enforcement representatives, regulatory authorities, civil society groups and digital security companies.

The report published today is carried out as an interdisciplinary study, surveying legal, technical and economic aspects of illegal IPTV. It is the first major study that reviews the existing literature, the legislative framework and case-law in the EU and provides structural analysis of existing business models with regard to unauthorised delivery of television content over the internet. In addition, the study provides the first assessment results of the magnitude of illegal PTV across the EU in terms of active users and unlawful revenue obtained from infringing activities.

>> Download the full Report here.

>> Executive Summary (English)

>> EUIPO Press Release

Executive Summary in other languages is available from the Observatory website.