Spanish soccer’s elite LaLiga and its domestic broadcast partner Telefonica have succeeded in gaining a court order against virtual private network (VPN) operators NordVPN and ProtonVPN, demanding that the pair move to block IP addresses within Spain that are using their VPN services to pirate LaLiga fixtures.

The order, presented by the Commercial Court No. 1 of Cordoba, identifies VPN operators as ‘technological intermediaries’ in piracy that are subject to the EU Digital Services Act, and as such, it is their duty to prevent piracy infringements.

Logistically, this means that VPN operators such as NordVPN and ProtonVPN must collaborate with LaLiga and Telefonica to identify users who are found with evidence to be pirating content, and then block those IP addresses from service within Spain.

Crucially, this request is both dynamic, meaning updated IP address lists must be provided as infractions are recorded, and not open to appeal from those deemed to be in violation.

The ruling is a first for Spain, and the dynamic element of this announcement joins a similar French ruling as one of only a few in the world.

Additionally, LaLiga and Telefonica must maintain evidence of those illegal broadcasts that they use to notify those accused of the infractions, to conform to a 2024 ruling to that effect.

The fight against piracy is a core tenet of LaLiga’s media rights strategy.

Indeed, back in November, upon the renewal of the competition’s media rights agreement with Telefonica, LaLiga president Javier Tebas remarked: “At a time when many leagues are experiencing declining media values, LaLiga's continued growth and record highs are especially significant.

“This result reflects the strength of our product and the trust of broadcasters, largely driven by our committed fight against piracy, which has helped increase operators’ user bases.”