The first successful verdict in Vietnam regarding online copyright infringement of the Premier League

The fight against illegal streaming of football matches has marked a significant milestone in Vietnam, as the court issued the first verdict addressing online copyright infringement related to Premier League matches.

According to information from the Premier League organizers and their official broadcasting partner in Vietnam, on April 19, 2024, the Hanoi People's Court sentenced the operator of the illegal streaming service BestBuy IPTV to a 30-month suspended prison term. Additionally, the defendant was fined approximately $4,000, required to forfeit over $24,000 in illegal profits, and pay $12,000 in compensation to the affected party.

BestBuy IPTV was previously listed on the U.S. "Notorious Markets" list. Before being shut down, this system illegally broadcast content from over 10,000 television channels across 38 countries, including many Premier League matches, one of the world's most popular football leagues.

According to the Premier League's assessment, this verdict represents the first successful prosecution in Vietnam for online copyright infringement. The ruling is seen as a crucial precedent, marking a major step forward in the fight against sports content piracy in Vietnam and the region.

Alongside legal measures, the Premier League is also implementing various initiatives to raise fan awareness. Notably, the "Boot Out Piracy" campaign has been running in Vietnam for the fifth consecutive year.

The campaign features prominent players from the league, such as Arsenal's Martin Odegaard, Manchester United's Amad Diallo, Fulham's Raul Jimenez, Newcastle United's Dan Burn, and Aston Villa's Matty Cash. Through this campaign, the league urges fans to choose official broadcasting channels to watch matches instead of accessing illegal streaming platforms.

Experts also warn that watching football on illegal streaming sites carries significant risks. According to research by Professor Paul Watters, a cybersecurity expert from Australia, most illegal streaming sites contain malware, fraudulent ads, or links to harmful content.

In Vietnam, studies show that the risk of encountering malware on illegal streaming sites is nearly ten times higher than on legitimate platforms. About 72% of illegal streaming sites contain malware or sophisticated scams, while 95% of ads on these platforms are related to harmful content such as gambling or online fraud.

In recent years, the Premier League has also worked closely with Vietnamese authorities to combat copyright infringement. Through a blocking program, over 7,000 infringing domains in Vietnam have been identified and disabled.

Recently, authorities prosecuted 30 individuals involved in the illegal streaming network "Xôi Lạc TV" for charges including copyright infringement, related rights violations, organizing gambling, and online gambling.

According to the investigation agency, the Hung Yen Provincial Police Investigation Agency has decided to prosecute 30 individuals involved in the illegal broadcasting of sports and film content via the "Xôi Lạc TV" system, as well as organizing and participating in online gambling.