Continuing the global fight against online piracy and associated crimes, a second phase of the INTERPOL-Stop Online Piracy (I-SOP) project has been launched.
Cracking down on illegal online distribution platforms, expanding international collaboration and raising global awareness about copyright protection, the project will continue with KRW 4.2 billion (EUR 2.8 million) funding from the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and support from the Korean National Police Agency.
During the first phase of the project, successes included the arrest of operators behind major illegal platforms and the takedown of the EVO Release Group. This international criminal network is accused of illegally sharing copyrighted audio-visual products, causing losses of more than EUR 1 million.
“Through this agreement with INTERPOL, Korea will transcend its role as a global content powerhouse to lead in the field of copyright protection, strengthening its cultural dialogue with the world through diverse genres of K-content, including dramas, films, music, and entertainment,” MCST Minister Yu In-chon said.
With very low risk, digital piracy can be highly lucrative for criminals, generating tens of billions of dollars each year. It also has a negative impact on the creative sector and economies through job losses, ultimately affecting consumers.
“There is no such thing as a victimless crime,” INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza added. “Illegal streaming and downloading is not about ‘beating the system’.
“Online piracy is a multi-billion dollar business, with the profits often linked to other transnational crimes such as money laundering and fraud, which means a strong law enforcement response is essential.”
“Online copyright crimes have become transnational crimes that are difficult for a single organisation or country to handle,” Lee Ho-Young, Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, concluded. “The Korean National Police Agency will work more diligently to combat online copyright crimes in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and INTERPOL.”
Created during phase one of I-SOP, the Advisory Group on Digital Piracy will continue to strengthen the project’s impact. Identifying emerging threats, promoting innovative strategies, and ensuring effective intelligence sharing, the Advisory group brings together experts from INTERPOL National Central Bureaus, specialised law enforcement units, and private sector organisations.
Public awareness campaigns will also continue to play a vital role in I-SOP through educating consumers about the risks of digital piracy, including exposure to malware and cybersecurity threats.
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