Despite the efforts of anti-piracy authorities, illegal streaming of media is still on the rise. According to data, there were over 215 billion visits to illegal sites last year alone. MUSO, based in Britain, has reported a significant jump of 18 % in piracy websites between 2021 and 2022. The data collected by them covers 480 000 films and TV shows.
The entertainment industry is resilient and determined to persevere.
Previously, companies would resort to heavy-handed tactics such as large fines and court orders to block websites; however, this has been a largely ineffective approach. It has been recognised that these strategies are counter-productive as they make corporations appear like bullies and the website blocking process can be a futile endeavour.
The Matrix Resurrections | Murray Close/Warner Bros. Pictures
Image | Insider/Jonathan Olley/DC Comics
The Matrix Resurrections and The Batman are among the top movies being pirated in 2021
ACE, established in 2017, brought together numerous influential organisations to tackle piracy. As an integral member of this alliance, the company works hard to identify major counterfeiters and notify the relevant authorities accordingly.
By 2023, ACE has made great strides in fighting illegal operators by bringing down their services in Spain, Brazil, Germany, Vietnam, Egypt and Tunisia – all of which boasted millions of monthly users.
ACE has firmly declared that there have been significant changes in the criminal sentencing of operators and a reduction in users’ access to unlawful subscription services. They further mentioned that since their intervention, the number of illicit subscription services has dropped from 1,443 to 143 just in the US alone.
Surprisingly enough, even with a large number of streaming platforms available, MUSO’s piracy data still proves to be one of the most reliable sources for media companies to determine what shows & films people are really interested in. Piracy is an unfortunate reality that cannot be completely eradicated. Therefore, what the industry needs to focus on is stopping it from becoming a normalized occurrence.
