Disney, Netflix, and Apple Push Forward New Anti-Piracy Website Blocks in Belgium
Major streaming platforms Disney, Netflix, and Apple are intensifying their efforts to combat online piracy in Belgium through dynamic website blocking measures. In a recent development before the Brussels Court of Appeal, these companies, alongside local anti-piracy groups, are seeking court orders to compel Belgian internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to a growing list of notorious piracy sites and their proxy alternatives. This initiative builds on existing blocking regimes established years ago and reflects a strategic escalation in the fight against unauthorized content distribution.
The case, filed by the Belgian Anti-Piracy Alliance (SABAM) on behalf of content owners including Disney Entertainment, Netflix Entertainment Services Netherlands, and Apple Distribution International, targets 17 specific domains associated with torrent indexing and streaming piracy. Among them are well-known sites such as 1337x.to, pirateproxy.wf, yts.mx, torrentgalaxy.to, and iptv-org.github.io/iptv, as well as newer proxies like 1337x.st, 1337x.gd, and yts.lt. These platforms have been identified as primary conduits for illegal access to movies, series, and live sports content, causing substantial revenue losses for rights holders.
This legal action marks a continuation of Belgium’s robust anti-piracy framework, which dates back to landmark rulings in 2014 and 2015. Those decisions initially mandated ISPs—including Proximus, Orange Belgium, and Telenet—to block The Pirate Bay and its proxies. Subsequent expansions have included sites like Popcorn Time and, more recently, illegal IPTV services. The current petition introduces “dynamic blocking,” a mechanism allowing for rapid updates to block lists without repeated court proceedings. Proponents argue this adaptability is essential to counter the agility of pirate operators, who frequently shift domains and deploy mirror sites to evade enforcement.
The plaintiffs emphasize the scale of the infringement problem. According to data cited in court filings, the targeted sites collectively attract millions of monthly visits from Belgian users. For instance, 1337x.to alone reportedly draws over 2.5 million visits per month from the country, while yts.mx sees around 1.2 million. These platforms facilitate downloads and streams of premium content, such as recent blockbusters and exclusive series, without authorization. SABAM, representing a broad coalition of music, film, and TV stakeholders, underscores that such activities not only deprive creators of fair compensation but also undermine the legitimate streaming market, which has invested heavily in local content production.
Belgian ISPs, historically cooperative in these matters, are named as defendants alongside the Commercial Court of Brussels, which oversees enforcement. The requested injunctions would require ISPs to implement IP and domain blocks, with provisions for swift additions of new proxies identified through monitoring. This approach mirrors successful models in neighboring countries like France and the Netherlands, where dynamic blocking has proven effective in reducing piracy rates. In Belgium, prior implementations have achieved block success rates exceeding 90%, though critics note challenges with VPN circumvention and overblocking risks.
The hearing before the Brussels Court of Appeal is anticipated to set precedents for future actions. If approved, the order would extend blocks initially for one year, with options for renewal based on demonstrated ongoing infringement. Legal experts observe that courts have grown increasingly receptive to these requests, balancing rights holders’ protections against users’ access rights under EU law, particularly Article 8(3) of the InfoSoc Directive.
This push aligns with broader industry trends toward proactive digital enforcement. Streaming giants like Disney, Netflix, and Apple have ramped up global anti-piracy investments, collaborating with organizations such as the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and local entities. In Belgium, where streaming penetration is high—Netflix alone boasts over 1.5 million subscribers—these measures aim to safeguard subscriber growth and content licensing deals. SABAM highlights that piracy not only erodes revenues but also distorts market competition, as illegal sites offer content without the overheads of licensing, quality control, or innovation.
Opponents of expansive blocking, including digital rights advocates, argue that such measures infringe on internet openness and may drive users toward less detectable tools like VPNs or decentralized networks. However, the plaintiffs counter that blocking is a proportionate, temporary remedy focused solely on flagrant infringers, with no impact on legitimate traffic.
As the case progresses, it underscores Belgium’s position as a European leader in anti-piracy enforcement. The outcome could influence similar proceedings across the EU, where harmonized directives encourage member states to adopt effective tools against cross-border piracy. For content industries, securing these blocks represents a critical step in sustaining the viability of subscription-based models amid evolving digital threats.
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