MotoGP Extends Sportian Partnership: A Bold Step Against Piracy
MotoGP, the premier motorcycle racing series that captivates millions of fans worldwide, has announced the extension of its partnership with Sportian, the sports division of Globant. This collaboration, which began over five years ago, has been instrumental in addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the digital age: piracy. With the renewed agreement, MotoGP and Sportian are set to expand their anti-piracy efforts, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to protect intellectual property, safeguard revenue streams, and ensure fans receive high-quality content through legitimate channels.
In this article, we delve into the significance of this partnership, its achievements so far, and how it sets a benchmark for other sports organizations facing similar challenges. We also explore how advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are shaping the future of content protection in sports broadcasting.
The Foundation of a Long-Standing Partnership
Why MotoGP Partnered With Sportian
The partnership between MotoGP and Sportian was established in 2018 as part of a larger strategy to combat the growing threat of digital piracy. Piracy has long plagued the sports industry, undermining revenue streams, diminishing fan experiences, and jeopardizing broadcasters’ investments in delivering high-quality coverage. For MotoGP—a global phenomenon with millions of passionate fans—the need to address this issue was paramount.
Sportian, known for its expertise in digital content protection, became MotoGP’s trusted partner in this endeavor. As a co-founder alongside LaLiga, Sportian brought advanced technological solutions to the table, including its flagship product Piracy Guard. This tool combines automated detection systems with human oversight to identify and remove unauthorized streams across various platforms in real time.
Since its inception, this partnership has achieved remarkable success by removing up to 99% of pirated content from social media platforms, video-on-demand (VOD) services, apps, search engines, and illegal streaming sites. These efforts have not only protected MotoGP’s intellectual property but also ensured that fans access races through official channels.
Dan Rossomondo, Chief Commercial Officer of Dorna Sports (MotoGP’s rights holder), highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “Globant Sportian has been a valuable partner in safeguarding our content over the last five years. Their technology and expertise have significantly reduced the impact of piracy on our sport.”
The Role of Technology in Fighting Piracy
How Piracy Guard Works
Sportian’s Piracy Guard tool is at the heart of MotoGP’s anti-piracy strategy. This solution uses advanced algorithms to detect unauthorized streams across multiple platforms and removes them swiftly. By combining automated processes with expert analysis, Piracy Guard ensures high removal rates while adapting to emerging threats.
The tool operates on two fronts:
Reactive Removal: Piracy Guard identifies illegal streams as they appear and takes immediate action to remove them.
Proactive Monitoring: The system continuously scans online platforms for signs of piracy and anticipates new vulnerabilities that could be exploited by pirates.
These features have proven invaluable in protecting MotoGP’s content from unauthorized distribution while maintaining the integrity of official broadcasts.
AI and Machine Learning: The Next Frontier
As part of their renewed agreement, MotoGP and Sportian are set to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies into their anti-piracy operations. These advanced tools will enhance their ability to detect and categorize pirated content more effectively while adapting to evolving piracy tactics.
AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of data from various online platforms to identify patterns associated with pirated content. By recognizing these patterns early on, MotoGP can take preemptive action before illegal streams proliferate. Additionally, machine learning algorithms improve over time by learning from past incidents, making them increasingly effective at detecting new forms of piracy.
This integration represents a significant leap forward for MotoGP’s anti-piracy efforts. By leveraging AI and machine learning technologies, Sportian can automate many aspects of content monitoring and removal processes—ensuring faster response times and more comprehensive protection.
Achievements So Far
Record-Breaking Attendance Figures
The success of this partnership has contributed significantly to MotoGP’s growing global presence. In 2024 alone, MotoGP recorded over 3 million spectators—a milestone that underscores both the popularity of motorcycle racing and the effectiveness of anti-piracy measures in enhancing fan engagement.
This record-breaking attendance figure reflects not only fans’ passion for racing but also their trust in official channels for accessing high-quality broadcasts. By removing pirated streams from digital platforms, MotoGP ensures that viewers experience races as intended—without interruptions or compromised quality.
Growth Across TV Viewership and Digital Channels
In addition to live attendance figures, MotoGP has seen impressive growth across global TV viewership and digital engagement. This growth is vital for sustaining interest in motorcycle racing while attracting new sponsors who see value in associating with a brand committed to protecting its content.
By engaging fans through official channels that provide high-quality broadcasts alongside exclusive features such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with riders, MotoGP strengthens its reputation as a leader in sports entertainment.
Pablo Lo Giudice, Business Lead for Content Protection at Sportian, praised these achievements: “MotoGP is a pioneer in protecting sports content for the digital era. Our ability to achieve continued improvements even as piracy volumes increase showcases best practices in the industry.”
Setting Industry Standards
A Model for Other Sports Organizations
The extended partnership between MotoGP and Sportian serves as a model for other sports organizations grappling with piracy challenges. By combining technological innovation with strategic foresight, this collaboration demonstrates how sports leagues can safeguard their intellectual property while enhancing fan experiences.
Sportian’s Piracy Guard solution boasts partnerships with over 70 major online platforms and holds Google’s TCRP certification—credentials that underline its effectiveness in achieving high removal rates while gathering actionable insights for legal enforcement and dynamic blocking orders.
Collaborative Efforts Across Sports Leagues
MotoGP’s success has implications beyond just motorcycle racing; it sets a precedent for other sports leagues facing similar challenges from piracy. As digital consumption continues to rise globally, sports organizations must prioritize protecting their content through effective partnerships like those established between MotoGP and Sportian.
In recent years, major leagues such as UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) have implemented similar anti-piracy measures alongside technology partners to combat unauthorized streaming effectively. This trend highlights an industry-wide recognition that collaborative efforts are essential for preserving live sports broadcasts’ integrity.
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
MotoGP’s decision to extend its partnership with Sportian reflects its unwavering commitment to combating piracy while protecting its content from unauthorized distribution. By integrating AI-powered technologies into their operations and maintaining proactive measures against emerging threats across digital platforms globally—this collaboration ensures uninterrupted access for fans worldwide who rely on official sources delivering top-quality viewing experiences legally & authentically!
As piracy continues posing challenges across live markets globally – collaborations like these set benchmarks showcasing innovation excellence & adaptability required navigating future landscapes safeguarding entertainment generations ahead!
