US Government Releases Top Piracy Threats from 2023

By iptv.legal , in News , at January 31, 2024

The US Government has released its top piracy threats from 2023 in its “Notorious Markets” report.

Who all made the list? You can find the top piracy threats from 2023 towards the end of this article.

Each year, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) publishes an insightful overview identifying the world’s most significant and problematic piracy websites.

This annual report lists dozens of pirate websites, IPTV services, torrent sites, hosting providers, streaming apps, and other entities submitted to the US Government by anti-piracy organizations.

According to their official press release, USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai stated the following:

“The trade in counterfeit and pirated goods harms workers, consumers, and small businesses, and ultimately hurts the U.S. economy. This year’s Notorious Markets List is significant because it underscores the potential dangers of counterfeit goods and why robust enforcement to combat trade in these goods is important to growing our economy from the middle out and the bottom up.”

This “Notorious Markets” report from the USTR lists dozens of pirate operations that authorities claim are impacting US jobs.

2023 Notorious Markets: Persistent Offenders and New Entrants

The Usual Suspects

The 2023 edition of the USTR’s report, like its predecessors, lists notorious online sites and services that are directly or indirectly involved in piracy.

This year’s list sees familiar names such as The Pirate Bay, Sci-Hub, and Fmovies. These platforms have become almost regular features, indicating the challenge of mitigating piracy.

Emerging Threats

New to the list is Vegamovies, a rapidly growing force in the piracy ecosystem. This site’s inclusion highlights the dynamic nature of online piracy, where new players can quickly gain prominence. The report also notes the return of YTS.mx, emphasizing the persistence of these platforms.

RARBG’s disappearance from the list, following its shutdown, marks a significant shift. This event underscores the impact of enforcement actions, though the reasons behind such closures often remain elusive.

TorrentGalaxy’s emergence as a popular torrent site filling the void left by RARBG is a testament to the ever-adapting nature of the piracy world.

Major Piracy Platforms: The Challenge of Enforcement

Enforcement actions, while necessary, often lead to a ‘hydra response’ from pirate sites.

This phenomenon is evident in platforms like Cuevana3 and 2embed, which continue to operate through multiple domains despite legal pressures. This resilience highlights the complexity of combating online piracy effectively.

The Resurrection of Aniwatch

Aniwatch, now the world’s largest anime piracy site, exemplifies how these platforms can quickly re-emerge under new guises.

The USTR’s emphasis on targeting the operators behind these sites underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to address the root causes of infringement.

The State of Pirate IPTV

The report observes a fluctuation in the presence of IPTV platforms. While some have disappeared following enforcement measures, others like GenIPTV have taken their place.

This change indicates a continuous state of flux in the pirate IPTV sector.

Top Piracy Threats from 2023

The USTR paired with anti-piracy groups has listed several IPTV services, streaming websites, apps, torrent sites, and hosting providers within their “Notorious Markets” report to the US Government.

Below we have included some of the most notable names from each streaming category.

Piracy as a Service (PaaS)

WHMCS Smarters
2embed

Torrent Sites

TorrentGalaxy
The Pirate Bay
1337X
RuTracker
YTS.mx

File Hosting & Cyberlockers

1fichier
Krakenfiles
Rapidgator
Savefrom

Hosting & Infrastructure

Amaratu
DDoS-Guard
FlokiNET
Squitter

Publishing

Sci-Hub
Libgen

Social Media

WeChat
VK

Conclusion

The USTR’s report is more than a list; it’s a call to action for governments and the private sector to recognize and combat the evolving challenges of online piracy.

It serves as a crucial tool in shaping policies and strategies to protect intellectual property rights globally.

The 2023 USTR Notorious Markets Review provides a sobering reminder of the ongoing battle against online piracy.

The persistence of familiar sites alongside new entrants highlights the need for sustained and innovative approaches to intellectual property protection.

Overall, it will be interesting to see what other websites, streaming apps, and IPTV services are next on the radars of the USTR and anti-piracy organizations.

For more information on this story, you can view the press release from USTR and the official 2023 Notorious Markets Review (PDF).

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