The U.S. Department of Justice said on Monday (December 12) that authorities seized 55 websites that illegally broadcast live broadcasts of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.


The justice ministry said in a statement that the sites were shut down after representatives of FIFA determined they were being used to distribute copyright-infringing content not authorized by FIFA.

FIFA has exclusive rights to the FIFA World Cup. The World Cup has now entered the semi-final stage.


 


"While many believe that such sites pose no serious threat, violating the rights of any intellectual property holder is increasingly critical to our economic vitality," said James Harris, special agent for the Department of Homeland Security. “

This influence can be felt in multiple areas and has the potential to be a conduit for other forms of criminal activity,” Harris said. The Justice Department did not

name the seized websites, but said their Visitors will be redirected to another website for more information.