Authorities nab pirated content distribution in sting operation in Kasarani
- 05 Jun 2024
An anti-piracy task force descended in the Githunguri and Kasarani areas, busting two Internet streaming sites.
In a decisive move against the illegal distribution of pirated content, a joint operation led by the Partners Against Piracy (PAP) Association of Kenya, with the support of the National Police and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), successfully conducted the raid.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects who were involved in the illegal distribution and sale of login credentials to access premium content.
Key equipment seized included two phones, two laptops and 65 unauthorised login accounts.
Mike Strano, chairman of PAP and co-founder of MyMovies.Africa, said the raid underscored Partners Against Piracy’s ongoing efforts to combat piracy and protect the rights of content creators in Kenya.
“The distribution of pirated content by the suspects not only undermines the Kenyan economy, but also harms the entertainment industry and content creators. This illegal activity deprives the rightful owners of their due revenues and affects overall investment in quality content creation.”
Frederick Saramba, Head of Detection & Enforcement at PAP and Anti-Piracy Manager at MultiChoice Kenya, adds:
“Pirates continue to profit from content they have not invested in. They are stealing high quality finished products that represent significant investment in terms of money, time and talent, posing a significant threat to the local creative industry”.
According to Saramba, illegal streaming operators promise unlimited access to premium content at extremely low subscription fees, compounding the challenges of shutting them down.
“A major challenge we face is the low price of this premium content on pirate websites. At this rate, it would be difficult for the industry to sustain legitimate content businesses and support the growth of film crews, artists and other associated professionals,” added Bernard Kioko, Deputy Head of Detection & Enforcement at PAP and founder of Bernsoft.
“As an association that continuously protects the content of our creators, we remain committed to the fight against piracy and we call on Kenyans to help us combat this menace by sharing tips on such activities, even as we prepare for the upcoming Euro 2024. We believe that together we can develop and grow a robust local creative economy,” said Kioko.
PAP – a multi-sectoral association formed to combat piracy – remains steadfast in upholding the law and protecting intellectual property.
PAP estimates that piracy costs the country’s creative economy approximately KES 92 billion annually, or KES 252 million daily in gross losses.
For example, the report shows that piracy deprives the music industry of KES 15 billion and TV stations of KES 8 billion annually.
An Irdeto survey has shown that piracy is gaining traction, with users in five major African territories, including Kenya, making 17.4 million visits to the top 10 identified piracy sites on the Internet in a three-month period.
