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News

EC recommends live anti-piracy actions

The European Commission has adopted a Recommendation on how to combat commercial scale online piracy of sports and other live events , such as concerts and theatre performances , but has been criticised by a number of trade bodies for delaying important decisions .

The Recommendation encourages Member States , national authorities , holders of rights and providers of intermediary services to take effective , balanced and appropriate measures to fight unauthorised retransmissions of
against online piracy , the Commission claims the Recommendation will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the EU sport and creative industries .
The Recommendation focuses on three main areas :
• Prompt treatment of notices related to live events : it stresses the importance of urgent action from providers of hosting services in order to minimise the harm caused by illegal streaming .
• Dynamic injunctions : the calls on Member States to raise users ’ awareness on legal offers to enjoy this type of content among consumers and on the issue of piracy among enforcement authorities . “ This essentially allows the present Commission to deliver little to nothing on this issue ( despite a clear Parliamentary mandate to do so ) before the end of this mandate ; and , simultaneously makes it very improbable for the next legislature to have the required time to adopt hard legislation if
The Recommendation encourages the use of blocking injunctions tailored to live events
such streaming , in full compliance with fundamental rights and personal data protection rules . By stepping up the fight
Recommendation encourages the use of blocking injunctions tailored to live events and , in the case of live sports events , encourages Member States to grant legal standing to sports event organisers to seek an injunction where it is currently not possible .
• Commercial offers and awareness : it recommends live and sports event organisers and broadcasters to increase the availability , affordability and attractiveness of their commercial offers to end users across the Union . It the recommendation is deemed inadequate ,” stated Grégoire Polad , director general , ACT ( Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe ).” This is a political and unilateral decision that will cost Europe ’ s creative economy dearly at a time when it needs it most .”
Trade body the European VOD Coalition also expressed disappointment in the Commission ’ s decision to delay the consideration of binding rules to combat online piracy , as did the Audiovisual Anti- Piracy Alliance ( AAPA ).
Telia sells Danish operations to Norlys
Swedish telco Telia is selling
100 % of its operations and
network assets in Denmark to
Denmark ’ s largest integrated
energy and telecommunications
group , Norlys , at an expected
enterprise value of DKK 6.25
billion (€ 838m ), on a cash and
debt-free basis .
The valuation is equivalent
to 8.9x Telia Denmark ’ s
2022 reported EBITDA . The
transaction is subject to final
and binding agreements ,
approval from Norlys ’ s owners
and customary regulatory
approvals , with closing expected
in Q1 2024 at the latest .
Telia ’ s strategy is to focus on
markets where there is a clear
path to securing and defending
a leading market position .
Having considered a number of
strategic options in Denmark
over several years , Telia says the
combination of its strong mobile
position with Norlys ’ s strong
infrastructure position creates
a unique opportunity to create
a new national challenger with
a committed long-term owner , while crystallising immediate value for Telia . As a result of the acquisition , Norlys will continue to build on its position as an integrated telecom and energy group that exists for the benefit of Danish households and enterprises .
“ Today ’ s announcement presents an exciting opportunity for our Danish business and colleagues to become part of a new national challenger , with owners who are renowned for their long-term view
of both energy and digital infrastructure ,” declared Allison Kirkby , Telia Company president and CEO . “ The transaction crystallises value from both the outstanding work of the Telia Denmark team who have led such an impressive turnaround of the business during the last 18 months , and from the leading 5G digital infrastructure that we have built up in the country . After closing , our Danish customers will have access to a broader set of products and services from
Norlys , and Telia will focus even more on markets where we can sustain or build a leading position .”
“ Combining Telia ’ s mobile network with our fibre business will enable Norlys to provide a full-service solution in Denmark , paving the way for significant growth opportunities ,” added Niels Duedahl , Norlys CEO . “ A strong mobile arm will expand our position as the number one challenger in the Danish market and add to our presence across both the digital and green value chains . Once this transaction closes , I very much look forward to welcoming our new , talented employees in Denmark . I have been impressed by the significant improvements in the business over the past 18 months , and I am convinced that our new colleagues will contribute to the Norlys group with a strong customer centric and digital mindset .”
Telia intends to use the transaction proceeds to reduce debt .
4 EUROMEDIA