MPA, the anti-piracy organization ACE, adds its first partners in Asia –

The Motion Picture Association’s anti-piracy organization, ACE, is strengthening its global influence through partnerships with local entertainment companies in the Asia-Pacific region.

The video transmission platform based in Hong Kong, Viu, and the leading cable and satellite television provider in Thailand, True Visions, have joined the coalition to help combat the piracy of entertainment in their own markets and in Worldwide. MPA and ACE say the addition of key local operators as partners, more of which are planned in the coming months, will play a crucial role in strengthening anti-piracy enforcement action on the site.

ACE, also known as the Alliance for Creativity and Fun, was founded in 2017 by the MPA and a set of the world’s leading media and technology companies, whose goal is to combine efforts and resources to jointly combat the spread of online piracy. The first companies based in Asia, Viu and True Vision, join a coalition of 39 members.

“The addition of Viu and True Visions is the start of an expansion that includes local media companies from key markets around the world. “By increasing ACE’s presence in the APAC region, we are building new relationships with local authorities and other key partners in our ongoing efforts to end hacking operations around the world,” said Charles Rivkin, president of ACE and Motion Picture. Association. “These new members further strengthen ACE’s collective, global approach to disrupting the piracy ecosystem that is harming the creative economy around the world.”

ACE is supported by a network of experts working with high-tech law enforcement agencies, partnering with local authorities and law enforcement agencies around the world and international organizations such as Interpol and Europol to take over the entire supply chain. of pirated content.

The organization says its anti-piracy efforts produced significant results in the first five years. In North America alone, it reduced the number of illegal streaming subscription sites in 2019 from 1,400 to just over 200 today.

“You often hear comments that piracy is like a Whac-A-Mole: they just show up,” said Ian Van Warne, executive vice president and head of global content protection at the MPA. “But we’ve already had a very significant and lasting impact in North America, and that’s what we’re doing now around the world, with the support of growing partners.”

Hong Kong-based Viu, backed by local telecommunications company PCCW, is one of the leading independent broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region. Operating on both SVOD and AVOD channels, the platform has identified a significant niche in specialized Korean content, both licensed and original. True Visions is Thailand’s largest internet and cable TV provider. The company owns high-value local sports and entertainment rights in the Thai market.

“We recognize the need to combat piracy, which is rampant in our markets,” said Jenny Lim, CEO of Viu. “By being part of ACE, we look forward to having an even more positive impact on our customers and the industry as a whole. That’s why Viu decided to join ACE and work to stop the global legalization of the film, television and streaming industries.”

Sompan Charumilinda, CEO of True Vision, added: “If the next K-Pop sensation or tech giant is from Thailand, this protection is absolutely essential. “We are pleased to be the first ACE member based in Thailand and look forward to helping them take significant action in this market, which will improve the piracy landscape and pave the way for a brighter future.”

ACE’s Board of Directors is comprised of six MPA members: Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. – Also Amazon and Apple TV+.