Feds ID sites in illegal sports streaming
Thiago Silva, right, trades punches with Brandon Vera at UFC 125 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Court papers specifically cited several instances of UFC broadcasts being linked to on the seized domains. (Jan. 1, 2011) Credit: AP
Sending a message on the eve of the Super Bowl, federal prosecutors in Manhattan Wednesday announced they had shut down 10 websites that had been illegally streaming broadcasts of pro sports events.
The websites allegedly provided pirated broadcasts of the NFL, NBA and WWE, among others.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said he was protecting fans by protecting the big sports leagues.
"The illegal streaming of professional sporting events over the Internet deals a financial body blow to the leagues and broadcasters, who are forced to pass their losses off to fans by raising prices for tickets and pay-per-view events," Bharara said.
Prosecutors said the websites shut down for copyright violations included atdhe.net, channelsurfing.net, hq-streams.com, hqstreams.net, firstrow.net, ilemi.com, iilemi.com, iilemii.com, rojadirecta.org and rojadirecta.com.
