Italian authorities have intensified their clampdown on illegal IPTV use, with DAZN, Sky Italia, and Serie A preparing to seek compensation from thousands of viewers identified during recent anti-piracy operations.
More than 2,000 users have now received registered letters from DAZN demanding €500 in damages following a major investigation by the Guardia di Finanza, which uncovered large-scale use of illegal IPTV platforms – known locally as pezzotto – offering access to premium sports and entertainment content for as little as €10 to €15 per month.
The letters, sent on 26 September, invite recipients to settle out of court within seven days or face potential legal action. The approach marks a new phase in Italy’s coordinated crackdown on piracy, shifting enforcement beyond operators and distributors to include end users.
DAZN’s action follows approval from prosecutors in Lecce, who authorised rights holders to access the list of fined users after an earlier nationwide operation identified 2,282 individuals across 80 provinces. The investigation traced more than €500,000 in proceeds from illegal subscriptions, leading to the seizure of properties, cars and cash.
Authorities say the losses to Italy’s economy from audiovisual piracy exceed €2 billion annually, impacting jobs, tax revenue and football club finances.
Broadcast regulator AGCOM Commissioner Massimiliano Capitanio confirmed to local media that Sky Italia and the football leagues are preparing similar measures, calling DAZN’s letters “only the beginning” of broader industry enforcement.
The initial fines issued by authorities start at €154, but repeat offenders face penalties up to €5,000 under Italy’s copyright law, in addition to any civil claims pursued by rights holders.
The original Guardia di Finanza operation, led by Rome’s Special Unit for Goods and Services and the Economic and Financial Police Unit in Lecce, dismantled a network that distributed pirated feeds from DAZN, Sky, Netflix and other pay-TV platforms.
