LaLiga’s global battle against audiovisual piracy has gathered new momentum in Ecuador, where for the first time, a content block has been activated for the violation of intellectual property rights at the request of LaLiga.

SENADI (the National Service for Intellectual Rights) has ordered the blocking of five different websites with names stemming from the ‘Rojadirecta’ platform which used to provide illegal streams of LaLiga matches.

The decision sets an important precedent that paves the way for possible blocks of other portals that infringe ownership rights, while strengthening the role of blocking as a tool in the fight against online audiovisual piracy.

These blocks have been implemented thanks to the commitment of SENADI to the defence of intellectual property rights. The public institution, which is affiliated with the Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, is the authority entrusted with the regulation, management and control of intellectual rights in Ecuador.

From now on, any user who navigates to the illicit sites will be automatically redirected to a website which will provide information on the block applied to the sites.

“This has been a success for LaLiga, but above all for SENADI and Ecuador, which has taken a big step forward in the battle against audiovisual piracy across the country,” explained Melcior Soler, the Director of LaLiga’s Audiovisual Department.

“For LaLiga, it’s another step down the path to protect intellectual property rights. The number of affected users isn’t the only important factor here, but also the fact that a major precedent has been set for the future.”

Meanwhile, Alfonso Rivera, the Director of Intellectual Property and Antipiracy at Tobar ZVS, the firm that fronted the operation, stated, “We’ve been battling to protect intellectual property rights in this country for many years. The website block measure, which was imposed by SENADI for the first time, is great news for all copyright holders in Ecuador. The violation of intellectual property rights must be combatted whichever platform it takes place on.”

LaLiga’s commitment to the battle against piracy over the last five seasons has seen the investment of significant resources, both in human and technical terms. These endeavours have seen access to over 30 illegal streaming sites blocked in Spain and the closure of around 20 sites.

Extensive work is also taking place on the international stage. The blockings in Ecuador join those already secured recently in Brazil, Peru and Denmark. The most common forms of piracy that LaLiga is battling against are streaming sites, applications, unauthorised content posted on social media, illegal satellite devices and illegal IPTV platforms.

 

British Basketball League (BBL) has secured an extension to its deal with Perform as the league’s exclusive betting rights partner.

The original Perform and BBL agreement resulted in massive exposure for the league, including 242 League games streamed live and worldwide on Live Basketball TV for the first time, as well as 32 games broadcast on the BBC sport web site.

Under the new three-year deal sees Perform continuing as the BBL’s exclusive betting rights partner for its Watch&Bet and RunningBall products.

“We are delighted to have extended our partnership with BBL and believe this partnership illustrates Perform’s commitment to investing in global and British Basketball,” commented Alex Rice, Chief Rights Officer, Perform.

“We are excited about the BBL plans and are looking forward to continuing as the exclusive betting rights partner.”

Bob Hope, Commercial Director, BBL, added, “I am so pleased that Perform has committed to BBL once again and agreed to continue as our exclusive betting rights partner. Their commitment clearly shows the confidence that Perform has in the League.”

“The income generated by this partnership will underpin the financial security of the BBL. It will give us the stability we require to expand our presence in the UK sporting market and beyond even further, as well as enable us to forge new partnerships in a range of commercial sectors.”

From left in photo above: Vince Macaulay (BBL Coach of the year), Alex Rice (Chief Rights Officer of Perform), Bob Hope (Commercial Director of the BBL) and Justin Robinson, (BBL`s Most Valuable Player of the year).

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday thrashed out the plan for the boxing qualification and competition for next year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics as it looks to run them without the suspended international boxing federation AIBA.

It also proposed almost trebling the number of women boxers to 100 out of the 286, up from 36 at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Reuters reports:

The IOC recommended last month that boxing should keep its place at next year’s Games but recognition of AIBA, the governing body of the sport’s amateur version, should be suspended until the issues surrounding its finances and governance are resolved.

The IOC Executive Board on Wednesday finalised weight categories (eight men, five women) for the Tokyo Games as well as the qualification system.

A sharp increase in women boxers compared to Rio was also proposed while men’s numbers are to be reduced from 250 to 186. Rio also had a total of 286 boxers.

There will be four regional qualifiers (Africa, Europe, Asia/Oceania and Americas) to be staged between January and April next year while Japan, as hosts, will have the opportunity to directly qualify four men and two women.

“To allow the athletes a second chance to qualify for Tokyo we will have a final Olympic qualifying event probably in May next year,” IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell told a news conference.

All IOC Executive Board decisions will need to be ratified by the IOC session in Lausanne next week.

AIBA has been in turmoil over its finances and governance for years with the federation $16 million in debt and an ongoing bitter battle over the presidency that has split the body internally.

AIBA largely depends on Olympic Games revenues to survive between Games and has started letting people go as a result of its Olympic exclusion.

The IOC has set up a task force headed by Japanese IOC member Morinari Watanabe, head of the international gymnastics federation, to organize qualifiers and the Tokyo Games competition.

A separate task force, headed by Serbian IOC member Nenad Lalovic, has been assigned to look into the ties with AIBA.

McConnell said Watanabe’s task force, which does not include any member from the wider boxing family, would rely on some boxing expertise with AIBA providing details for referees, judges and other officials to be used in Tokyo.

“It is important that this direct contact with AIBA is maintained,” McConnell said.

He said other boxing experts would be consulted in the process.

“The task force has no direct representation of boxing federations but we will be calling on boxing expertise,” he said.

 

At the French Senate yesterday, Paris 2024 CEO Tony Estanguet officially launched the application process for cities and regions around France to be part of the Olympic Games through an initiative branded Terre de Jeux 2024.

“The goal is to enable all areas, regardless of means or size, or whether they are located in mainland France or the overseas territories, to become part of the Olympic and Paralympic adventure, and to harness the momentum of the Games to showcase and accelerate their sports-based projects,” Estanguet said.

The label is aimed at local authorities (cities, intercommunal administrative entities, departments and regions) and the sports movement (federations and sports clubs), all of which are key to promoting the practice of sport in France. It provides them with the opportunity to fully engage with the Games and to move forward together to strengthen the role of sport.

Paris 2024 wants to push back the boundaries and harness the momentum of the Games to introduce more sport into the everyday lives of the French population, by using events to share the emotional power of sport more widely, giving greater prominence to the role of sport and developing the notion of sport for all. The priority here, as it is for the project in general, is to create a virtuous circle, the effects of which will continue to be felt after the Games.

When applying for the Terre de Jeux 2024 label, local authorities can also ask to join the official list of Games Preparation Centres (CPJs). The final list of CPJs will be communicated during the Olympic Games in Tokyo in July 2020 to the 206 National Olympic Committees and the 184 National Paralympic Committees, which will be able to choose one of the centres on the list and go to train in France, at their convenience, over the course of the Olympiad.

The application process for local authorities is now open. The first labels will be granted this autumn, and the process will continue up until 2024. The federations with sports on the Olympic and Paralympic programme at the Games in 2024 will have the opportunity to sign an agreement before then, on Olympic Day (23 June). Local authorities can apply to join the official list of CPJs until 31 October 2019.

The US Open this past weekend performed well for Fox Sports with the highest ratings and viewership in six years.

The final round on Sunday as Gary Woodland secured victory pulled a 4.4 rating and 7.31 million viewers on FOX, rising 38% in ratings and 44% in viewership from last year. The peak viewership on Sunday was 10.17 million.

The audience was up from 6.69 million for the previous US Open on the West Coast in 2015, but lower than the 9.27 million for the last one Pebble Beach in 2010.

Outside of the Masters, it was the second-most watched golf telecast in the past five years behind the final round of the 2018 PGA Championship.

The complete US Open averaged 3.67 million viewers on FOX and FS1, up 28% from last year and up 37% from 2017. All four rounds showed healthy viewing increases.

Motorsport UK has today announced the launch of Trackside, its first ever dedicated membership programme for motorsport fans and enthusiasts.

Trackside Membership (at £24.99 per year) will capitalise on the governing body’s unique access to the sport, to deliver exclusive, member-only experiences and behind-the-scenes access, getting fans closer to the sport than ever before.

Opportunities already on offer, to coincide with the launch of Trackside Membership and put fans at the heart of the action, include:

• The opportunity to get behind-the-scenes of motorsport with regular team and factory tours
• VIP Team Experience with Power Maxed Racing at a round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, courtesy of Power Maxed
• Exclusive monthly member competitions for VIP experiences
• Invitations to member-only events
• Subscription to ‘Revolution,’ monthly membership magazine of Motorsport UK
• Access to Motorsport UK’s membership benefits programme with discounts across a range of automotive, travel and High Street partners

The vision is for its members – both competitors and fans – to feel part of a wider motorsport community, working alongside the governing body to help shape the future of the sport.

Trackside Membership will present fans with an opportunity to get involved, have their say and help shape the future of Motorsport UK, through forums, ‘Evening With’ events and regular member surveys.

Members will also gain access to a substantial member benefits package, offering discounts and savings from major High Street retailers and automotive partners, including accommodation, travel, outdoor clothing, breakdown recovery, car tyres, tools, MOTs, parts and accessories.

Partners and discounts include 10% off in store at Halfords, 15% discount on Adrian Flux car insurance, 10% discount with Hilton hotels and Avis car rental, discounted car tyres and £25 MOTs with Protyre, plus a range of venue, event, trackday and experience day discounts.

The ambitious new initiative is the latest phase in Motorsport UK’s ongoing transition from a traditional governance-led association to a modern membership-focused organisation with members at its heart.

Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, said: “Trackside membership is a significant new programme designed to get fans closer than ever to the sport. UK motorsport fans are among the most passionate in the world; now, with Trackside Membership, they have an opportunity to join a motorsport community not just attend their choice of individual events, and get closer than ever to the sport they love.”

“As the governing body, we are committed to growing the sport and better meeting the needs of our customers and stakeholders. That includes fans, as well as competitors, officials and volunteer marshals.”

“What’s more, with our package of partners offering significant discounts, Trackside membership rewards fans for their support of the motorsport community while giving them a voice and helping shape a sustainable future for UK motorsport.”

The UK accounts for the largest proportion of European sports tech start-up activity, according to research by SportsTechX, and London is the sector’s current capital. See all the figures in this summary on iSportconnect TV.