Domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry foils 531 piracy cases worth RM5.4m

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) clamped down on 531 cases of digital piracy with an estimated value of RM5.4 million between 2018 to September 2022. During the period, the ministry said it successfully blocked 2,252 websites suspected of showcasing copyright works without digital permission. At the same time, 2,391 pieces of content were also removed. 

From 2021 until now, KPDNHEP  said 27 films have participated in the Cyber Copyright Enforcement programme with a total of 319 blocked websites and 1,902 pieces of content being taken down. If any individual/dealer is found to be selling streaming devices that contain copyrighted works without permission, KPDNHEP said strict action will be taken under section 43AA, Copyright Act 1987. If convicted, individuals will be fined up to RM200,000.00 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 20 years or both.

The ministry reiterated that dealers should not sell streaming technology devices that contain copyrighted works without permission. KPDNHEP has also identified several popular websites and social media platforms that are contributing to digital piracy, although the ministry did not specify which ones. According to KPDNHEP, it received complaints about these platforms. 

Last year, Malaysia's entertainment and media industry said it lost approximately RM3 billion annually due to digital piracy, with RM500 million in taxes and thousands of jobs at risk. Industry players also appealed to the government to carry out a thorough review of existing regulations, which they currently claim does not fully enforce, convict, deter infringements; nor does it provide copyright holders with sufficient protection for their creative works against digital piracy.

Astro's director, regulatory, Laila Saat, previously said that piracy is the "biggest scourge of the industry, stealing from every single person in the creative ecosystem from actors, writers, producers, directors and cameraman, thus hampering development".

In response to KPDNHEP's statement this time, round, Laila said: "Astro would like to express our appreciation to KPDNHEP for their support in combating digital piracy." She added:

Digital piracy regardless of its form is still theft. It is a crime, and poses negative impact to our content creative industry.

"It doesn’t matter whether one has copied copyrighted material from a friend, illegally downloaded from the internet, or purchased from a person who was selling illegally made copies; it is still a crime. Additionally, online piracy has an economic impact and puts the consumer at risk of financial loss and security risks such as identity theft, potential risk of bank accounts being hacked or devices being locked for ransom," Laila said.

She added that Astro is committed to continue working closely with the relevant authorities, industry players and content partners in battling piracy and in educating the Malaysian consumers of the dangers of illegal streaming.

Astro is not the only company to have thrown its weight behind the anti-piracy campaign. The Premier League has also been championing against piracy, launching a regional campaign in 2020. That was the same year when the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation established the Piracy Eradication Committee as part of its efforts to proactively combat the illegal distribution of films. This month, the Premier League also rolled out a similar campaign in Singapore.

Premier League head of content protection in APAC, Aaron Herps, said: “The Premier League is committed to tackling piracy in Malaysia, working with local authorities and our broadcast partner, Astro, to take action and ensure the best viewing experience for our fans."

He added that the recently amended Copyright Act makes it very clear that anyone involved in providing or facilitating illegal streams is a crime. "We are extremely grateful to the ongoing collaboration of the KPDNHEP, in particular for their support for the recent enforcement action. We will continue to work together to fight piracy in Malaysia and educate fans on the risks involved in accessing illegal content," Herps said.

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