An international anti-piracy coalition, including major Hollywood studios, has successfully dismantled Fmovies, a significant illegal streaming operation based in Vietnam. The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), whose members include Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney, collaborated with Hanoi police to shut down Fmovies and its affiliates, such as Bflixz and Myflixer. This operation, the largest of its kind, amassed over 6.7 billion visits from January 2023 to June 2024. Two men were arrested, marking a victory for the creative community.
Fmovies and Its Network
The shutdown included the closure of video hosting provider Vidsrc.to, operated by the same individuals behind Fmovies. This operation, involving sites like Flixtorz and Movies7, was identified as the largest pirate streaming network globally, with one-third of its traffic originating from the United States.
The site had been a longstanding target, repeatedly appearing on the Office of the US Trade Representative’s list of notorious markets for counterfeiting and piracy.
Impact on the Creative Industry
Charles Rivkin, CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and Chairman of ACE, described the takedown as a significant win for the global creative community, including casts, crews, writers, and directors.
❗️World's largest piracy site is down! Read more here.⬇️ https://t.co/gd1qDNHTLu
— Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (@ACE_antipiracy) August 29, 2024
Larissa Knapp, the MPA’s Executive Vice-President, emphasized the importance of this victory as a deterrent to future piracy activities, highlighting ongoing cooperation with Vietnamese authorities and US agencies.
Broader Implications
The ACE’s efforts to combat online piracy extend beyond this operation, as the group continues to work with various international law enforcement bodies to protect intellectual property.
The takedown of Fmovies and its affiliates is expected to have a lasting impact on the illegal streaming industry, sending a clear message to those involved in piracy.
Conclusion
The successful operation against Fmovies marks a significant milestone in the fight against online piracy, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in protecting the creative industry.
As ACE and its partners continue their efforts, this takedown serves as a reminder of the serious consequences for those who engage in illegal streaming activities.
