SLL, SBS, and CJ ENM have taken steps to protect K-content. On the 19th, they announced, “We achieved a local access block on 64 illegal domains and 45 related sites being illicitly serviced in India. This is the first accomplishment for domestic rights holders.”
They received assistance from members of the Copyright Overseas Development Association and the Motion Picture Association of America. In August, they filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court of India, requesting access block orders against internet service providers. In early September, the court issued dynamic blocking orders, prohibiting access to major illegal global infringing sites within India.
This lawsuit was led by private rights holders. The 19 copyright-infringing domains associated with the 13 sites submitted were large sites targeting the provision of Korean content. SLL, SBS, and CJ ENM stated, “Thanks to the decision by the Indian court, our content protection has been greatly assisted,” adding, “This will be remembered as a good example of international cooperation among private organizations for copyright protection.”
The ruling allows for blocking not only the 45 major illegal sites applied for by U.S. copyright holders, but also related mirror or alternative sites. Due to the nature of illegal sites, identifying operators is difficult. It is not easy for rights holders to legally respond to each illegal site individually.
Blocking access to illegal sites is the quickest way to respond. The Copyright Overseas Development Association, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is conducting various activities with domestic rights holders to address copyright infringements of Korean content occurring abroad.
SLL, SBS, and CJ ENM added, “We are achieving continuous copyright protection results through cooperation with domestic and international related organizations,” and “We will further strive to protect our content overseas by joining forces.”
<Photo provided by the Copyright Overseas Development Association>
