The government has ordered the immediate blocking of 44 websites in the country over content pirating.
The High Court sitting in Nairobi on Thursday, June 23, through Justice Wilfrida Okwany, ordered Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in collaboration with the government to immediately block the 44 streaming websites.
Justice Okwany noted that the websites were flagged for infringing on copyrighted materials.
The ruling will majorly affect soccer fans across the country and other consumers of pirated content through sites that have not been authorized to operate in the country or rebroadcast content.
Justice Okwany explained that Internet Service Providers have failed on their part to exercise their mandate in complying with the takedown notice of websites infringing on copyrighted materials.
Among those shortlisted are popular websites that pop up during live matches on different social media platforms, allowing those with access to the internet to watch shows and games for free.
Following the ruling, some of the internet service providers vowed to block the blacklisted websites within 72 hours.
“A person whose rights have been infringed by content to which access is being offered by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) may request by way of a takedown notice that the ISP removes the infringing content,” the Copyright Act stipulates.
According to players in the industry, the landmark ruling will allow content creators to earn from their work.
“The Kenyan courts have sent a message to the rest of the world that we respect the right of content creators to earn a living from their work,” one of the stakeholders stated.
Here are the websites set to be blocked:
1. Totalsportek 2. ronaldo7 3. stream 4. cr7ripple 5. vipleague 6. livesoccertv 7. livesport 8. soccer-live stream 9. LiveTV 10. vipbox live 11. sportnews 12. jokerlivestream 13. Cricfree 14. Fullmatchesandshows 15. Vipboxtv 16. liveharleyquinnwidget 17. Messistream 18. Yalla-shoot 19. HD streams 20. Cdn livetvcdn 21. Firstsrowsports 22. Livefootballol 23. Miradetodo 24. Livestream 25.Tvball7 26. Skytivi 27. Freeintertv 28. Vipstand 29. Extremotvplay 30. Stream2watch 31. Oeb 32. Ishunter 33. Myfeed2all 34. Barcelona stream 35. sport stream 36. Cricfree 37. Indiostv 38. Sport365 live 39. Kora-online TV 40. Stream woop 41. Sportzonline 42. Sportv 43. Rojadirecta 44. Cricsports
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