Digital Piracy Rate Increases Despite Clamp Down Efforts

Recent statistics show that film piracy has surged by more than a third in the last 12 months.

According to research company Muso, the illegal streaming of movies increased by 38.6% between 2021 and 2022, while the number of users using free streaming services increased by roughly 9%.

The Independent said the 2023 trend seems to be continuing, as supported by preliminary statistics.

Arising Trend of Streaming Services

A number of variables, including the proliferation of online material in the wake of the pandemic and economic stresses like the cost of living issue, have contributed to the growth of the online pirate industry, according to experts.

For others, the spread of subscription streaming services is to blame since it leaves viewers unable to satisfy their watching needs at a fair cost.

Muso wrote a blog article on the rise in illicit streaming, noting that, unlike the legitimate media ecosystem, all titles are accessible everywhere and for free.

Harmful Impacts

This ongoing problem has dire consequences for the industry, threatening the income and jobs of everyone engaged, especially smaller, independent producers. It also has the potential to do harm to the economy as a whole.

At least $29.2 billion in annual income is lost to the US economy due to internet piracy. Although, this estimate is based on the assumption that those who use illegal streaming services would pay for the material if it were authorized.

The Global Innovation Policy Center at the US Chamber of Commerce reports that illegal streaming services now account for more than 80% of all piracy, surpassing download-based methods like BitTorrent.

One department study from 2019 suggested that global collaboration among industries and governments to educate consumers on the dangers of piracy, coupled with the expansion of legal options in cases of infringement, was the answer.

However, another report from the same year by Vocus Group NZ found that piracy rates drop when content is easier to access.

Fight Against Online Piracy

Despite these results, the world is not letting these pirates spread protected information, particularly with numerous entertainment media sectors taking action against it.

British authorities have tried to clamp down on unlawful internet streaming in recent months, with officers from West Mercia Police giving notices to more than a thousand individuals last month asking them to halt illegal streaming activities.

In a November 2022 report, it is said that the UK's piracy campaign also involves internet service providers (ISPs) sharing the internet pirates' IP addresses with the authorities.

The US likewise protects its copyright laws against violators. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act's (DMCA) severe penalties for infringement on the rights of authors and performers are well-known. This legislation protects their property when others make unauthorized copies or distribute their work online without permission.