Japan Cracks Down on South America’s Major Anime Piracy Offender

The issue of piracy in the anime, manga, and webtoon industries has escalated dramatically, prompting robust responses from industry stakeholders. In light of this widespread challenge, organizations dedicated to combating piracy are intensifying their efforts to dismantle illegal operations.

Recently, CODA, or the Content Overseas Distribution Association, achieved a significant milestone by shutting down a notable piracy site rin.cloud. This Brazilian platform was among the most trafficked piracy websites, and its closure represents a crucial victory in the ongoing fight against anime piracy.

CODA Takes Action Against Rine.cloud, a Key Player in Brazilian Piracy

Rine.cloud: Monthly Traffic and Impact

With an average of 2.74 million visits each month, rine.cloud exemplified the rampant nature of pirated content in Brazil. CODA’s recent actions, however, were not limited to just this one site; their announcement indicated the shutdown of 15 additional piracy portals, significantly impacting the landscape of illegal anime distribution in South America. Many of these targeted websites had adopted geoblocking tactics to evade detection by Japanese authorities, complicating the enforcement of copyright laws.

By employing “knock-and-talk”strategies, CODA engaged in legal measures supported by three pivotal industry players: Toei Animation Co., Ltd., Toho Co., Ltd., and Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. These companies are well-known for creating popular anime series such as My Hero Academia, Dragon Ball, and Sailor Moon, illustrating their vested interest in protecting their intellectual property. Users who previously accessed rine.cloud are now redirected to a CODA copyright notice, clearly stating the reasons behind the website’s closure.

Allies in the Fight Against Piracy

Partnerships Among Major Animation Studios

CODA’s decisive actions against piracy reflect a broader commitment to protecting creators’ rights. In a statement made on their platform, the organization condemned piracy, labeling it “extremely malicious,” and emphasized the need to uphold the financial interests of creators who invest significant time and resources into their work. However, CODA is not acting alone; numerous anti-piracy organizations are actively working to mitigate this issue. For instance, Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) recently took action against OKTOON, a prominent webtoon piracy site. In addition, Japan has announced plans to deploy new AI technologies designed specifically for piracy detection.

While the implementation of AI technology is met with some skepticism, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs is backing this initiative with a budget of 30 million yen, indicating their serious commitment to tackling piracy’s detrimental effects on various sectors, both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, companies like VIZ Media have taken proactive steps, reaching out to Google to facilitate the removal of billions of piracy-related URLs. In this evolving landscape, anti-piracy groups remain steadfast in their mission, even as new illegal sites emerge regularly.

Source: CODA, Anime News Network

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