LALIGA and Telefónica Audiovisual Digital (TAD) say they have judicial backing requiring NordVPN and ProtonVPN to prevent access from Spain to IP addresses where illegal transmissions of LaLiga matches have been verified.
In a statement, the companies describe the precautionary measures from Commercial Court No. 1 of Córdoba as dynamic, with no right of appeal, allowing updated IP address lists to be supplied as new infringements are detected.
The court decisions also recognise VPN providers as “technological intermediaries” falling within the scope of the EU Digital Services Regulation, and therefore subject to requirements to help prevent infringements using their infrastructure. The orders describe VPNs as “highly effective and accessible” tools that can distort a user’s apparent location and facilitate access to websites carrying protected content illegally, noting the defendants “acknowledge and even advertise” their ability to evade restrictions.
LALIGA and TAD said the measures are intended to stop VPN services from contributing to the evasion of access restrictions already ordered by Spanish courts, referencing the December 2024 Barcelona Commercial Court No. 6 ruling that underpins LaLiga’s wider dynamic IP-blocking approach against piracy.
The court also orders also require LALIGA and TAD to preserve sufficient digital evidence of the unlawful transmissions they notify to the VPN providers, supporting the evidential approach used under previous rulings.
