A new push from US Lawmakers is aimed at site blocking for popular streaming sites. This includes websites providing Movies and TV Shows
Such efforts follow a hearing by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet specifically addressing online piracy.
Present at the hearing were representatives from the MPA (Motion Picture Association), UFC, and an award-winning film producer, among others. The CCIA (Computer & Communications Industry Association) also had representation from various Internet Service Providers.
During the hearing, Committee Chairman Darrell Issa highlighted the challenges faced in combating piracy, especially when dealing with websites hosted on servers outside the US. Mr. Issa also mentioned the complexities of enforcement against piracy operations located in foreign government domains.
Often, pirate websites like Fmovies are hosted on servers outside the US jurisdiction, posing challenges for takedown actions. These websites may even be hosted within foreign governments, presenting enforcement hurdles against widespread piracy.
Some may even operate within military bases of certain countries, like the Russian government, or other adversaries of the US.
While claims of piracy websites on military bases lack supporting evidence – given Russia’s strict anti-piracy laws, Mr. Issa singled out FMovies, an infamous streaming site based in Vietnam.
MPA Senior Executive Vice President Kary Temple demonstrated the website’s extensive content library during the hearing. The site offers unreleased US movies and shows, boasting high visitor traffic exceeding 160 million monthly users.
Anyone can easily visit the FMovies website, showcasing a wide array of movies and TV shows, including unreleased blockbusters and upcoming theater releases.
Temple emphasized the site’s user-friendly interface and vast content options.
It is evident that numerous websites worldwide offer unauthorized Movies and TV Shows without proper copyright permissions.
Site Blocking Measures
Past attempts to shut down these overseas-based sites have proven challenging, prompting discussions on the necessity of implementing site-blocking measures.
Advocates stress the importance of such measures in deterring access to piracy sites. They argue that site-blocking could drastically reduce traffic to such sites and curb piracy-related financial incentives in the US. They call for Congress to explore injunctive relief as a tool against piracy.
On the other side, CCIA President Matthew Schruers raised concerns about potential overreach with site-blocking laws. He highlighted instances where such measures inadvertently blocked access to legal content, citing historical examples of overblocking issues.
History has shown that site-blocking measures can lead to unintended consequences, restricting access to thousands of websites without due process or evidence. Crafting effective and speech-protecting site-blocking laws in the US poses significant challenges.
Schruers referenced a past incident where Spotify was mistakenly blocked in the House of Representatives over a decade ago, underscoring the risks associated with site-blocking measures.
While some lawmakers pressed for immediate site blockades like U.S. Representative Ted Lieu’s call to action against FMovies, concerns linger over potential repercussions on legal site access.
Closing the hearing, Mr. Issa likened online piracy blockades to offline customs interventions, drawing attention to the digital realm’s unique enforcement challenges.
What About VPNs?
While some countries implement site-blocking tactics, VPNs pose a challenge to these measures. VPNs encrypt users’ internet connections, rendering traditional blocks ineffective. Moreover, VPN users can easily circumvent geo-blocks by altering their online locations.
Effective site-blocking would require VPNs to comply with such measures, although the international presence of VPN companies complicates this proposition.
Note that many VPN providers, including our top-rated one, operate from overseas, making immediate enforcement unlikely.
Digital Copyright Piracy Hearing Video
Critics argue that legislative efforts against online piracy may not yield the desired outcomes. They suggest exploring business models like Spotify, which successfully reduced music piracy through improved accessibility and pricing.
Share your thoughts on the recent US Subcommittee Hearing below!
Stay informed on streaming news, reviews, and tips by subscribing to the TROYPOINT Advisor for weekly updates. Join the over 800,000 Advisor subscribers now!