Germany has taken another step in its ongoing efforts to block piracy-related websites by adding the popular sports streaming site, TotalSportek, to its blocklist.

This action is part of a broader voluntary agreement between German Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and copyright holders to curb access to websites that host or link to pirated content.

Pirate Site Blocking in Germany

In 2021, Germany introduced a formalized approach to blocking websites that facilitate copyright infringement.

The initiative, led by several large ISPs in collaboration with copyright holders, created the Clearing Body for Copyright on the Internet (CUII), which oversees decisions about which websites should be blocked.

Unlike in some countries, CUII does not require court orders to block sites. Instead, a review committee evaluates complaints from copyright holders to determine if a site is “structurally infringing.”

This approach targets websites like torrent platforms, streaming portals, and direct download sites that host a significant amount of pirated material. When a site is deemed to be in violation, it can be added to the blocklist.

How the Blocking Process Works

For a site to be blocked, copyright holders must first demonstrate that other efforts to shut it down or identify its operators have failed.

In the case of TotalSportek, the rightsholder tried multiple avenues, including hiring a private investigator and contacting intermediaries like domain registrars, hosting providers, and TLS certificate providers.

These efforts were unsuccessful, leading CUII to approve the blocking as a “reasonable and proportionate” measure. While the exact domain names and URLs targeted are typically redacted in official documents, third-party transparency portals help track some of the blocked sites.

According to the CUIIListe portal, both totalsportek.pro and soccerstreams.football were blocked in this latest round.

TotalSportek is known for offering streams of sports events, including German-language content, despite not specifically targeting German users.

TotalSportek’s History

TotalSportek is no stranger to legal actions. The website has been blocked in multiple countries, including France and Kenya, and was listed by the U.S. Trade Representative as a “notorious” piracy site.

The fact that it has been blocked elsewhere likely contributed to Germany’s decision to add it to the list of infringing websites. CUII’s review concluded that TotalSportek was in clear violation of copyright laws, justifying the need for a block.

Although the website is not directed solely at German users, the availability of German-language streams made it a concern for local copyright holders.

Expansion of Blocking Efforts

This recent block of TotalSportek is part of Germany’s expanding efforts to tackle online piracy. Germany does not publish a comprehensive list of blocked domains, but each new recommendation shows the country’s commitment to extending the blocklist as necessary.

In addition to the blocked sites, there are often “mirror” or “redirect” domains that attempt to evade the blocks, and these may be added to the list over time. If you do a quick Google Search you will likely notice dozens of copycat “TotalSportek” websites that still exist.

The site streameast.best, which is linked to soccerstreams.football, is an example of how pirate sites can morph and redirect users to avoid detection. However, not all related domains have been blocked, as the site StreamEast itself is not currently on the blocked list.

As these efforts continue, it’s expected that the blocklist will grow as more sites are identified and targeted. Copyright holders will likely keep pushing for more domains to be blocked to protect their intellectual property.

Wrapping Up

Germany’s approach to combating online piracy through voluntary agreements between ISPs and copyright holders represents a growing trend in Europe and beyond.

With the addition of TotalSportek to the blocklist, it’s clear that these efforts are ramping up. While blocking sites like TotalSportek may seem optimistic, there are dozens of copycats that exist and the game of “whack a mole” still continues among streaming sites.