Asian Media Leaders Urge IP Owners to Step Up Piracy Fight at APOS 2025

In a session marked by urgency and collaboration, executives from streaming giants, regional broadcasters, content creators, and anti-piracy organizations stressed that piracy is not just a legal issue but a major economic and cultural threat. They called for a collective and proactive approach to IP enforcement, especially as online distribution becomes the primary channel for film, television, and sports content in Asia.

Growing Threat from Digital Piracy

Piracy in Asia continues to evolve rapidly, with organized operations now leveraging streaming technology, illicit apps, social media, and even AI tools to steal and redistribute premium content. Speakers at APOS warned that these sophisticated piracy networks not only reduce legal revenue but also damage brand value, disrupt licensing models, and threaten investments in local content production.

“We’re seeing high-quality illegal streams popping up within minutes of new releases,” said Synamedia’s Avigail Gutman, a leading anti-piracy expert. “And it’s no longer just fringe websites—pirated content is reaching consumers directly through Telegram channels, rogue apps, and social video platforms.”

Call for Action and Shared Responsibility

Several panelists emphasized that relying solely on government enforcement is no longer sufficient. Rights holders must invest in better technology, faster takedown protocols, and coordinated industry efforts. Tools such as fingerprinting, watermarking, and real-time monitoring were cited as essential for tracking and removing pirated content.

Henry Tan, Group CEO of Astro, Malaysia’s largest pay-TV provider, urged content creators and distributors to stop treating piracy as an external issue. “This is our battle,” he said. “We must collaborate, fund detection, share data, and educate consumers to choose legal content.”

Unified Front Against IP Theft

There was widespread consensus that fighting piracy requires a united front—combining technological innovation, public-private partnerships, regional cooperation, and consumer awareness. Some executives advocated for a regional anti-piracy alliance with shared resources, echoing efforts seen in Europe and North America.