The world of technology has always faced challenges with content piracy, spanning illegal access to video and audio content, programs, books, operating systems, and more. This sector has recently experienced a significant blow, primarily due to the closure of two major Spanish piracy-related websites.
A big win against piracy
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the leading global coalition against piracy, announced the closure of two well-known websites in Spain: HD-Spain and Pixelated. These globally-operating sites provided a vast catalog of multimedia content to users, including a massive number of movies and series accessed illegally.
Over 26,000 files were available for download, impacting many ACE-affiliated members. These websites garnered immense popularity due to their roughly 300,000 monthly visits, predominantly from Spain.
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment operates worldwide to combat copyright-infringing content piracy. The recent closure of HD-Spain and Pixelated in Spain is a result of their efforts. Supported by more than 50 global communication and entertainment companies, ACE’s board of directors includes giants like Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon, Walt Disney, and Sony Pictures.
Pixelated emerged from the merger of HD City and HD Spain, becoming piracy benchmarks in the country. However, ACE’s intervention and a judicial resolution have led to their websites’ blocking, making them inaccessible.
This is just the beginning, as ACE intends to continue its fight against content piracy in Spain and beyond with more initiatives like the recent shutdowns.
What is piracy content?
Piracy content refers to the unauthorized use, distribution, or reproduction of copyrighted materials such as movies, music, software, and books without the permission of the copyright holder. It is a widespread issue that has plagued the digital world for decades, with the rise of the internet making it easier for individuals to share and access copyrighted materials without paying for them. This illegal activity causes significant financial losses for creators and copyright holders, as well as undermines the value of their intellectual property.
Spanish piracy, in particular, refers to the prevalence of content piracy within Spain and its impact on the country’s creative industries. With the closure of two major Spanish piracy-related websites, authorities are aiming to curb the illegal distribution of copyrighted materials and protect the rights of content creators. These efforts are part of a larger global initiative to combat content piracy and uphold the integrity of the entertainment and software industries.
