MultiChoice Set to Battle Against Unauthorized Rugby World Cup Streaming Sites

In a pushback against illegitimate Rugby World Cup streaming sites, Supersport MultiChoice has pledged to rigorously pursue and prosecute those who offer access to games at low costs in violation of rights held by licensed streaming platforms.

Phil Leavesley, Head of Legal at Supersport MultiChoice, discussed their strategy during a conversation with John Maytham. He stated that while soccer matches garner more illicit streaming, there are still many infringing sites offering unauthorized access to rugby games. The focus of their legal efforts will be primarily on large-scale violators.

Contrary to an apparent trend, Leavesley affirmed, "We're not targeting individual viewers, but the 'big fish' in the space. Essentially, entities that bundle VPN services with illegal content are our primary focus".

The misconception that the corporation would launch legal action against individual viewers was quickly dispelled, with Leavesley adding, "To my knowledge, South Africa has yet to pursue an individual for such an instance. However, risking sharing illegal content does not exclude the possibility of facing legal consequences."

As part of their strategy, MultiChoice is collaborating with agencies such as Interpol and other global anti-piracy providers to identify and monitor massive fraudulent activities. The superlative scale of their recently discovered international networks has further driven them to continue taking tangible actions.

Meanwhile, for rugby enthusiasts who prefer to watch the World Cup through legitimate means, MultiChoice offers a DStv streaming subscription. Alternatively, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will air 16 games of the tournament at no cost.