Due to the lack of action by the Korea Copyright Protection Agency, the response to illegal video streaming applications (apps) and sites is inadequate.
The National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, led by People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seung-soo, announced the “Status of Detection of Illegal Distribution Streaming Apps and Sites.” According to this, 5,544 cases were detected from March last year to August this year, but only seven of them were deleted. Meanwhile, the Korea Copyright Protection Agency has been conducting at-home monitoring since March of last year. During this period, 1,286 mobile apps were detected, and the number of installations reached 387.56 million times.
As of August this year, the number of detections was 4,258 and the number of installations was 4.3645 billion. However, the nationality of the mobile app or the number of copyright infringement works was not identified. The Korea Copyright Protection Agency can request deletion from Google after review by the Copyright Protection Deliberation Committee.
However, only seven cases have actually been implemented. This is a result that contrasts with the response to illegal music streaming mobile apps. During the same period, 4,426 cases were detected, 615 cases were supported for deletion, and 2,589 cases information was provided to rights holder groups.
The Korea Copyright Protection Agency explained, “In the video field, no information was provided because there was no request for cooperation from the rights holder.” In addition, he said, “Unlike music, in the video field, there is no copyright-related organization, so it is difficult to identify or prove rights relationships.”
Rep. Kim said, “Due to the expansion of the K-content market, cases of infringement on the rights of video creators are increasing,” and, “Not only the Korea Copyright Protection Agency, but also the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Police Agency, and the Gambling Industry Integrated Supervision Committee are actively cooperating.” “We must respond accordingly,” he emphasized.
In addition, he said, “It is also a problem that harmful advertisements, such as gambling, are exposed to illegal video streaming apps and sites,” and that “comprehensive measures are urgently needed to prevent this vicious cycle.”