ACE has grown to over 50 studios and companies that have successfully shut down over 1000 illegal streaming sites. Now they are pushing for US lawmakers to authorize site blocking.
Formed in 2017 by major Hollywood and TV studios to combat piracy, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has seen its membership grow from 30 to over 50 companies.
According to The New York Times, ACE has been involved in thousands of cases since its inception, now handling as many cases weekly as were previously handled annually. Since 2019, the number of illegal streaming sites in North America has decreased from 1400 to nearly 200.
Pirates navigating overseas
Despite these efforts, the number of visitors to sites illegally offering video content has risen by 12% from 2019 to 2023. These sites collectively attract 141 billion visits annually worldwide, as reported by Muso, a firm that monitors pirate sites.
- "We're a long way from guys on street corners selling counterfeit DVDs. This is global organized crime. The people stealing our movies and television shows are also involved with sex trafficking, money laundering — all the ills of society," Charles H. Rivkin, chairman and chief executive for Motion Picture Association, told the NYT.
ACE has 28 employees across the world. Photo: Ace
Ringleaders are increasingly moving abroad. To address this, ACE has hired Larissa L. Knapp, a former FBI veteran of 27 years, to pursue them both domestically and internationally.
- "The bad guys have left for other places where it is more difficult for us because the rule of law is not as strong," added Charles H. Rivkin. "The top three English-language piracy sites are all located in Vietnam."
Blocking proposal faces opposition
Today, pirate sites can download movies from well-known streaming services within minutes, so new illegal streaming services can quickly emerge when others are shut down.
ACE has reportedly approached authorities in the US with a request to obtain tools to block sites via internet providers, provided a judge gives the green light. They point out that more than 60 countries already have such a system in place.
However, the proposal faces opposition from the Computer and Communications Industry Association, with prominent members such as Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Google. They argue that website blocking tools could be abused to restrict freedom of expression.
Amazon and Apple find themselves in a dual role, as they are also members of ACE through Prime Video and Apple TV+.
- Source: New York Times
