Facebook on live streaming controversy - don't blame us

Facebook have distanced themselves from the live streaming controversy of the recent Joseph Parker fight which potentially cost the Kiwi heavyweight's promoter thousands of dollars of lost revenue.

Several illegal live streams of Parker's fight against Carlos Takam at Manukau on Saturday were shown, with one of the most popular created by an individual whom Fairfax media have described as Porirua man Moze Galo.

Many of the streams were done via Facebook Live, an application which allows a user to potentially stream a television programme while others can comment on it.

The Sky Arena broadcast of the bout cost $49.99, with Duco saying their overheads for the fight cost $2million.

A statement from Facebook said they did not condone the illegal streams.

"When we made Facebook Live available, we anticipated that it would be used by people to share special moments with their family and friends, whether they're visiting a new place, cooking a new favourite recipe, or just wanting to share some thoughts," the statement said.

"As with all content on Facebook, we have reporting tools in place to enable content owners to report potential infringement, and we have a global team that handles these reports. This can happen at any time during a Live broadcast. In addition, once the Live broadcast has ended and before it gets posted to the broadcaster's Timeline, the video is run through the same checks that all uploaded videos are run through."

Parker's promoter Dean Lonergan said he would attempt to take the illegal streamers, including Galo, to court.

Sky spokesperson Kirsty Way said the company "takes piracy very seriously because it is theft".

"If you are not paying for something you are stealing it," she said.

"This is a high profile case but we are always looking for illegal streams and yes, we can track it down and we will track it down.

"I don't think it is a grey area ... it is definitely wrong. If you don't like the price of something, you can't just take it for free."