The Federal Court of Canada is targeting the operators of the popular pirate streaming platform Soap2Day.

This order requires major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to Soap2Day domains, marking a significant escalation in efforts to curb copyright infringement.

Background on the Soap2Day Lawsuit

The legal action was initiated by prominent entities, including Netflix, Bell, Disney, Universal, and other Hollywood studios.

They accused Soap2Day of blatant copyright violations and filed a lawsuit against the anonymous “John Doe” operators.

The case began in May 2023, with claims of widespread piracy facilitated by the site.

When the lawsuit was served via email, the primary domain, Soap2Day.to, along with several associated domains, was promptly shut down.

Though the operators did not cite the legal action as their reason for closure, the timing strongly suggests a direct correlation.

Judgment and Penalties

While the shutdown of Soap2Day.to achieved an important milestone, other domains using the Soap2Day brand remained active, continuing to attract users.

In response, the plaintiffs sought a default judgment to deter ongoing copyright infringement and penalize the operators of these domains.

Federal Court Justice Simon Fothergill ruled that the operators engaged in deliberate and egregious misconduct. The court imposed substantial statutory damages:

• John Doe 1: $6,080,000
• John Doe 2: $5,820,000
• John Doe 3: $5,840,000
• John Doe 4: $4,520,000

Additionally, $1,000,000 in punitive damages and $400,000 in joint liability were levied. Collecting these damages, however, remains uncertain, as the defendants’ identities are still unknown.

Soap2Day Site Blocking Order Details

To ensure effective enforcement of the judgment, the court approved a site blocking order that mandates Canadian ISPs to restrict access to specified Soap2Day domains, including Soap2day.day and Soap2day.pe.

The order allows for the inclusion of future domains under the Soap2Day brand, subject to court review and approval.

The court also ruled that the rightsholders must cover the costs incurred by ISPs for implementing these blocking measures.

These restrictions will remain in place for two years, with the option for plaintiffs to request extensions.

Wrapping Up

The Soap2Day decision highlights a shift in targeting not only IPTV services but also traditional streaming platforms known for piracy. It signals that additional enforcement actions against similar sites could follow.