Discovery, TV4, and Viaplay, prominent Nordic broadcasters, have initiated legal proceedings against multiple internet service providers (ISPs) in Sweden. This action is part of a broader effort to combat the proliferation of illegal IPTV services.
The lawsuit, filed with the Stockholm District Court, Patent and Market Court, alleges that these ISPs are inadvertently enabling access to copyrighted content through unlicensed services. One specific case highlights subscribers gaining access to Nordic One/N1, a significant player in the illegal IPTV market, via their ISP connections.
According to Mediavision, a Stockholm-based consultancy, Nordic One/N1 is considered one of the largest criminal entities in Sweden and the Nordic region involved in illegal IPTV operations. This service illegally intercepts television broadcasts and redistributes them for profit, bypassing proper licensing agreements. “In light of this, it can be concluded that the internet providers have contributed to Nordic One/N1’s infringement of the rights holders’ respective signal rights,” the lawsuit states.
The broadcasters are seeking a court order compelling ISPs to cease facilitating access to their pirated content. Non-compliance would result in substantial financial penalties. Discovery, TV4, and Viaplay contend that the ISPs bear partial responsibility for the copyright infringement due to their inaction.
This legal battle mirrors the case brought by LaLiga against Cloudflare. Mediavision’s data indicates a sharp increase in Swedish households subscribing to illegal IPTV services. By the end of 2024, over 700,000 households were reportedly paying for such services—a record high and a substantial jump from spring 2024.