ILLEGAL STREAMS ARE NOT JUST INNOCENT CLICKS. BEHIND PIRACY LIE ORGANISED NETWORKS
Slovak television broadcasters are warning of the growing problem of illegal streaming, which is depriving them of vital revenue.
A single click on an illegal stream can have greater consequences than viewers realise. Slovak television stations point out that piracy is no longer the preserve of amateurs. Organised networks are behind the illegal distribution of sports broadcasts and television content, depriving broadcasters of millions of euros intended for the production of new series and programmes or the purchase of exclusive sports rights.
The Association of Slovak Television Broadcasters (ATVS), which brings together the television stations Markíza, JOJ and ta3, is highlighting the growing problem of illegal streaming. According to the broadcasters, this is not merely a matter of copyright infringement, but a phenomenon that directly affects the functioning of the entire audiovisual market.
Viewers often seek out unofficial streams of major sporting events or television programmes in an attempt to save on subscription fees. However, according to the television stations, such behaviour supports organised illegal business.
An innocent click? In reality, support for the piracy business
According to broadcasters, the scenario is usually straightforward. A fan wants to watch a Champions League match or another popular sporting event. Instead of using an official service, they find a free stream online.
At first glance, this seems like a harmless solution. In reality, however, the user risks malware, phishing attacks or the misuse of personal and payment details. At the same time, they are supporting platforms that profit from the content without paying the rights holders.
“Every euro lost as a result of piracy is a euro that we cannot invest in new local TV series production or in the purchase of sports licences, such as the Football World Cup or the Ice Hockey World Championship. Piracy directly threatens the diversity and quality of Slovak content,”
points out Nikoleta Nagyová, project & product manager for the platforms.
According to the television broadcasters, this is not just a matter of lost revenue for broadcasters. The impact is also felt by creators, producers, actors and other professionals working in the creative industries.
Television broadcasters speak of market distortion
Private broadcasters point out that piracy creates an unfair environment. Whilst legal television services invest in content, technology and licences, illegal platforms circumvent these costs.
“Television broadcasters that invest in content bear all the costs and legal liability, and are at a disadvantage compared to entities that use the content illegally. The fight against piracy today is not just a matter of individual legal disputes, but also of protecting the entire audiovisual market,”
explains Lucia Tandlich, Director of the Legal & Compliance Centre at the Markíza Group.
According to her, copyright infringement harms the entire audiovisual content creation chain – from authors and performers right through to the broadcasters themselves.
A pirate service that operated as a legitimate television channel
The television stations also draw attention to the recent case of the sleduje.me platform. According to the broadcasters, this platform offered more than two hundred television channels, premium sports content and an extensive video-on-demand service for a monthly fee, without the necessary licences.
Outwardly, however, it appeared to be a standard television service. MAC TV, in collaboration with the Slovak Association of Cable Telecommunications (SAKT), took action against the platform, resulting in the network being shut down completely.
According to the television broadcasters, however, this was just one of many such cases. Piracy groups now operate as professional organisations with an international network. If one domain is blocked, it often reappears under a new name or at a new address within a matter of hours.
The battle is shifting to real time
Broadcasters admit that traditional legal procedures are no longer sufficient. Content protection is therefore increasingly reliant on modern technology and automated internet monitoring.
“The most effective tool today is a combination of technological protection, robust DRM systems and automated monitoring. We use tools for actively searching for and rigorously reporting illegal streams in collaboration with Warezio,” said Ms Nagyová.
These systems are capable of continuously monitoring the internet and identifying illegal streams within minutes during live sports broadcasts. They then automatically submit requests for their removal.
The quality of legal services is also key
ATVS members emphasise that the appeal of legal platforms remains an important part of the fight against piracy. Viewers expect high picture quality, stable broadcasts, easy access to content and additional features.
“The spread of information via social media and communication platforms has also accelerated significantly. The same technological advances that bring new opportunities for the media and viewers are also being exploited by pirates. Content protection therefore requires ever-greater effort, investment and collaboration across the entire sector,”
adds Martina Václavová from the Markíza Group.
At the same time, broadcasters agree that technology alone will not solve the problem. More effective legal tools, modernisation of legislation and more active involvement of law enforcement agencies are also needed. According to them, only a combination of prevention, technology and rigorous enforcement can curb organised groups that profit from illegally distributed content.
Source: medialne.trend.sk
