Italy’s telecoms regulator, led by Massimiliano Capitanio, is preparing to introduce fines of up to 5,000 euros for individuals caught streaming pirate IPTV content. Capitanio has emphasized that users accessing illegal streams through apps downloaded from platforms like Google, Apple, and Amazon will face similar penalties. Additionally, investigators will no longer require individual court permissions to pursue offenders.
While the prospect of hefty fines may sound alarming to Italians, Capitanio has reassured the public that warning them about the potential consequences is not a form of “psychological terrorism.” Instead, it serves as a necessary measure to deter piracy and protect the rights of content creators and copyright holders.
AGCOM’s head, Massimiliano Capitanio, has reaffirmed that fines targeting end users of illegal streaming services will soon be enforced. In a LinkedIn post directed primarily at a business audience, Capitanio emphasized the impending penalties, ranging from 150 to 5,000 euros, as a necessary measure to combat piracy.
Addressing skeptics who doubt the efficacy of fines, Capitanio highlighted a recent agreement between the Guardia di Finanza and the Prosecutor’s Office in Rome to streamline investigations into tens of thousands of illegal stream consumers. This agreement removes the need for individual authorization for each person under investigation, facilitating a more efficient process.
Capitanio also emphasized the importance of holding both criminal and legal entities accountable for facilitating piracy. He called out companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon, suggesting that even users of legal platforms could face fines if found streaming content illegally.
While acknowledging concerns about high subscription prices, Capitanio stressed that piracy is not the solution and urged users to refrain from illegal streaming. He emphasized the importance of sharing information about potential fines as a deterrent and criticized entities that profit from piracy, contributing to inflated prices for legitimate services.
