Olajide Temiloluwa The fact that piracy is a worldwide threat that has ruined and still destroys the work and livelihoods of innumerable creatives is no longer news. Piracy affects the viability of entire sectors and deprives lawful owners of their profits from anything from music and films to television shows and sports broadcasts. Since it is a worldwide problem, it calls for a worldwide solution.
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Thankfully, strong alliances are being formed worldwide and across industries to safeguard content producers and the sector in which they operate. In order to maintain the sustainability of the sectors that inform, educate, and entertain audiences, these collaborations included digital content platforms, law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity corporations, and IT firms.
Piracy may appear to be a simple means of getting free amusement at first, but it has serious repercussions that impact both people and society at large. Personally, viewers who stream a sporting event or program from an illicit website run the danger of contracting malware, becoming victims of identity theft, or falling victim to financial fraud. Hackers may be able to access private data, such as bank account information, and maybe delete accounts.
The delight of viewing a football game for free is greatly outweighed by the harm that such crimes inflict. In addition to posing personal risks, piracy destroys the creative industry by diverting funds from rightful owners.
Producers and creatives do not get paid when music, films, and sporting events are illegally disseminated. The industry is disrupted by this underpayment, which results in fewer productions, job losses, and diminished investment in new material.
With Nollywood being one of the largest film businesses in the world and Afrobeats dominating international music charts, Nigeria boasts one of the most thriving entertainment sectors in the world. Piracy is a barrier, but there is a great deal of possibility for even greater success. Although MultiChoice, a significant local content investor, has dedicated years to delivering top-notch products to viewers, the business is still in danger from piracy.
Sports events, reality TV, and locally created series are nevertheless often streamed illegally. Because the site frequently streams live feeds of several of the world’s most watched athletic events, including Formula One, the Olympic Games, the Euro, the World Cup, and Champions League football, in addition to well-known local leagues, this is especially important.
Beyond sports, some of Africa’s most popular entertainment programs, such as Nigerian Idol, Big Brother Naija, and The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOLagos), can be found on Africa Magic and Showmax Originals.
These platforms are essential to African storytelling because they offer content in 40 languages and have a collection that is expanding to over 84,000 hours. However, the proliferation of unauthorised streaming jeopardises the creative industry’s viability and expansion in addition to having an effect on revenue.
In order to combat this, MultiChoice has partnered with cybersecurity company Irdeto and Partners Against Piracy (PAP), actively monitoring and halting illicit activities in several African countries. The battle against content theft must progress in tandem with the evolution of piracy strategies. To safeguard the creative sector, strong partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and public awareness are essential.
Organisations like MultiChoice, PAP, and Irdeto are making sure that viewers can continue to enjoy top-notch entertainment and that content producers get paid what they are due by putting an end to illicit operations and promoting legal alternatives. In the end, protecting creative content is about more than simply keeping companies safe; it’s also about ensuring that Africa’s booming entertainment sector keeps expanding, maintaining jobs, and assuring the future of storytelling.
We all share responsibility for combating piracy, and by promoting legitimate material, we all help to build a more robust and sustainable creative economy.
