DAZN and Irdeto unveil anti-piracy pact

Global sports streamer DAZN has extended its relationship with online security specialist Irdeto in a bid to combat the intractable problem of video piracy. In a wide-ranging deal, DAZN now has access to Irdeto’s Anti-Piracy solution, designed to keep content safe from illegal streaming and sharing. At the same time, Irdeto has become DAZN’s primary multi-DRM (digital rights management) provider.

Mark Mulready

Commenting on the news, Sandeep Tiku, DAZN Group chief technology officer, said: “DAZN is committed to creating a global sports streaming service that delivers for fans and partners alike. To do that takes significant investment in rights and developing technology. The damaging effects of piracy are clear – potentially reducing investment for sports, exposing fans to privacy and security risks, and funding organised crime. Working with Irdeto, DAZN can tackle pirates through enforcement and better use of technology, while educating fans of the risks of accessing pirated content”.

DAZN has worked with Irdeto since 2020. The streamer’s anti-piracy team works with Irdeto to counteract piracy through investigation and enforcement operations, injunctions and continuous innovation in subscriber protections. Mark Mulready, VP of Cyber Services at Irdeto, said: “Premium live sports is one of the biggest forms of content driving the OTT live streaming industry, which has made live sports a primary target for piracy. We are very excited about taking our partnership with DAZN to the next level, working together to protect their premium content. Irdeto’s insights gained from decades of fighting piracy and cyber threats, coupled with the best technology and DAZN’s team of experts, will be key to shutting down pirates and cybercriminals.”

Piracy continues to be an urgent priority for all sports rights holders. In 2021, a report by Synamedia and Ampere Analysis suggested piracy was costing sports service providers a staggering $28bn in new revenues every year. The issue has been a live concern during the current FIFA World Cup in Qatar. FIFA threatened to pull the plug on rights holders in Thailand unless they did more to combat piracy of their signals.