The start of the new LaLiga season has brought with it a new wave of IP blockages . However, it has not been the only issue igniting outrage among fans and users on social networks. Beyond the usual blockages affecting legitimate websites, LaLiga seems to have opened a new front: sending legal notifications directly to Cloudflare users who are not involved in the unauthorized broadcasting of matches.
A New Pressure Strategy. Many users have been sharing their experiences on social media, revealing that LaLiga is utilizing ICANN regulations to target Cloudflare private clients. When the agency detects an IP address that hosts unauthorized content during matches, not only does it request the blockade of that IP, but it also requires Cloudflare to notify all customers associated with that address. The solution suggested by LaLiga is for customers to ask Cloudflare to refrain from sharing their IP with sites broadcasting football without permission. Failing to do so may result in legal actions from LaLiga.
<span>Image: Lázaro's blog</span>Collateral Victims in the Spotlight. The case that has drawn the most attention recently is that of Lázaro’s blog , a personal site dedicated to GNU/Linux that received one of these ominous notifications. In an email dated August 25, LaLiga warned that the blog was located on IP 104.21.16.1 , which allegedly facilitated access to matches during the first game day. LaLiga threatened, “If the previous circumstance continues, we will understand that you are deliberately omitting your obligations against crime.”
The Operation of Shared IP. Cloudflare operates using a shared IP address system , allowing numerous websites to use the same address. This architecture optimizes resources and enhances protection against DDoS attacks . However, when LaLiga identifies an IP address used for unauthorized broadcasts, it implicates all sites sharing that IP, regardless of their content or legitimate activities.
What LaLiga Says. We contacted LaLiga to clarify their stance regarding these notifications. According to the organization, “these types of communications were already sent to users since last season, due to the inaction of Cloudflare and the lack of protection towards their own users.” LaLiga maintains that these blockages are “dynamic and only apply to those IP addresses where piracy activity is detected.”
LaLiga also warned that “Cloudflare customers suffering from blockages can reach out via email to [email protected] to inform LaLiga that the illegal content housed on their website’s IP does not have their authorization.”
<img alt="Where to view LaLiga EA Sports 25/26, Football of the First Division in this next season" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/ceffde/laliga/375_142.jpeg"/>Threats with Echoes from the Past. This aggressive pursuit is reminiscent of other historical cases in Spain where individuals were attempted to be pursued for downloading unauthorized content, such as the Euskaltel case. In that instance, users were threatened with legal action for downloading films via P2P networks , pressuring them to either settle or face trial.
In the instance of Lázaro’s blog, Cloudflare did not provide screen captures as proof of the alleged infringing activity. “It is an automatic email. I suspect that it sends notifications to all domains sharing the IPs flagged for piracy,” the blogger noted.
A Problem of Effectiveness. While LaLiga intensifies its offensive against those who access soccer matches via unauthorized broadcasts, the most affected are often the users who have no connection to such activities. These blockages and threats appear more effective in damaging small personal websites and blogs than in halting illegal distribution networks of sports content.
Resources that Remain in the Air. Currently, this issue is in the Constitutional Court , where both Rootedcon and Cloudflare have presented resources against the blockages. As bureaucratic processes continue and internet providers adopt restrictive measures based on a favorable ruling for LaLiga, more legitimate users are adversely affected by sharing IP addresses with those that promote piracy. Everything remains in a state of uncertainty.
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