Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 17, 2026
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LaLiga obtained a court order requiring VPNs to block 16 pirate sites in Spain, emphasizing VPNs' responsibility under EU regulations.
By Fernando Kallas
MADRID, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Spain's LaLiga and its broadcasting partner Telefónica secured a court order on Tuesday requiring VPN providers NordVPN and Proton VPN to block access within Spain to 16 websites accused of illegally streaming LaLiga matches.
The rulings, seen by Reuters, compel the VPN services to immediately make the IP addresses of the alleged piracy websites inaccessible from Spanish networks.
LaLiga said the decision acknowledges "the responsibility of these technological intermediaries in the process of pirating LALIGA matches."
The league said the court acknowledged VPN providers are technological intermediaries subject to European Digital Services Regulation and are therefore required to "prevent infringements from being committed under their infrastructures".
VPN services create secure links between a device and a private server, hiding the user's IP address and masking its location and online activity. While widely used for privacy and data protection, they can also be used to bypass regional restrictions.
The court rulings cannot be appealed. They were issued "ex parte", meaning the judge ruled without all parties present, citing urgency and the need to ensure the effectiveness of the order.
Both Proton and NordVPN said they were unaware of any proceedings prior to media reports and had not received the judicial documents referred to in the press.
"We were not part of any Spanish judicial proceedings to our knowledge, and therefore had no opportunity to defend ourselves. Given such judgments impact on how the Internet operates, such an approach by rightsholders is unacceptable," Laura Tyrylyte, privacy advocate at NordVPN, told Reuters.
Tyrylyte added that domain blocking is ultimately ineffective in combating piracy. "Pirates can easily circumvent these blocks by using subdomains: blocking does not eliminate the content itself or reduce the incentives for piracy."
To further combat unauthorised streams, LaLiga recently introduced a reward scheme offering 50 euros ($59) for verified reports of businesses illegally broadcasting matches. The league noted that legal broadcasts feature a distinctive letter in the corner of the screen, aimed at helping viewers detect unauthorised transmissions.
($1 = 0.8458 euros)
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas. Additional reporting by Emma Pinedo. Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Internet piracy refers to the unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of copyrighted content, such as movies, music, and sports broadcasts, often through illegal streaming sites.
A court order is a directive issued by a judge that requires a person or entity to do or refrain from doing a specific action, often enforceable by law.
Digital services regulation encompasses laws and guidelines governing online platforms and services, ensuring compliance with standards for user safety, data protection, and fair competition.
Sports broadcasting involves the transmission of live or recorded sports events through television, radio, or online platforms, often requiring licensing agreements with sports leagues.
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