Blog Post

PRESS RELEASE: AAPA Speaks at OHIM-Europol Know-How Conference on IP Crime in Sports

AAPA

4th April 2014

At a conference organised by the EU Observatory on IP Infringements (managed by OHIM) and Europol AAPA members, Christine Maury-Panis from Viaccess-Orca and Andreas Rudloff from Sky Deutschland, presented the challenges of card sharing and illegal streaming to over 90 delegates from law enforcement agencies, including the police, prosecutors and customs bodies, as well as private sector stakeholders. It was made clear that the broadcast and online distribution of sports content forms a significant part of the sports and pay TV businesses. Consequently online piracy, whether in the form of card sharing or streaming, is a serious crime, damaging both sports rights holders and pay TV operators. Case studies were discussed during a workshop co-chaired by Sheila Cassells, Executive Director of AAPA, and Marios Aristidou from the IP Crime Unit of the Cyprus Police.

Addressing delegates from Brazil, the United States, Ukraine and EU Member States AAPA stressed the need for swift and effective cross-border enforcement action, including access to essential information. Current legal processes are considered to be cumbersome and too slow. Moreover, differences in the implementation of laws in EU Member States mean that cross-border action can be difficult. Equipping law enforcement agencies with knowledge and expertise about card sharing and illegal streaming, both infringements committed via the internet, helps to make anti-piracy activity more effective. Such expertise will also facilitate enforcement against IPR infringements of physical goods where there is growing use of the internet for distribution and illegal sales.

Sheila Cassells said that: “AAPA welcomes the opportunity to participate in the OHIM-Europol know-how conferences. These are valuable sessions which bring together private and public stakeholders facing the same problem. This allows us to share our members’ extensive knowledge and experience with the enforcement agencies, which are the essential element in successful anti-piracy activity. AAPA is also pleased to be able to exchange information about internet- based piracy with stakeholders who are now seeing a growing trend in internet distribution and sales of counterfeited goods.”

OHIM:
The Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) manages the EU Observatory of IP Infringements and it the EU’s principal agency on IP matters. The Observatory is a network of experts and specialist stakeholders. Its objectives are to provide evidence-based contributions and data to enable EU policymakers to shape effective IP enforcement policies and to support innovation and creativity; provide data, tools and databases to support the fight against IP infringement; provide knowledge and learning programmes for IP and enforcement authorities as well as for businesses and IP practitioners; evelop initiatives to help innovators, creators and businesses (especially SMEs) protect their IP rights; and design campaigns to raise awareness of the value of IP and the negative consequences of IP infringement.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance 2024-2029 EU Manifesto

by AAPA • 1 October 2024

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) publishes its first Manifesto, linked here . The document aims to recognise past efforts of EU legislators when it comes to content protection and the fight against copyright infringement, whilst admitting that more can and should be done to address this growing issue. Miruna Herovanu, Executive Director of AAPA said : " After years of laying the groundwork to combat online piracy it’s time for EU policymakers and beyond to fully acknowledge that decisive, targeted measures are needed at the European level. The rise of digital theft demands action. We call for strong political resolve to end the theft of our members' content. We're ready to support every stakeholder—law enforcement, policymakers, and industry representatives—to dismantle criminal networks and protect European consumers from harm."

AAPA ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

by AAPA • 28 May 2024

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) has announced the appointment of Miruna Herovanu as its Executive Director. Miruna was previously the Director at the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand in Europe in charge of Intellectual Property and Competition policies. She took up her position with AAPA on 27 May 2024 and will be based in Brussels. Miruna will replace Sheila Cassells who is retiring as Executive Vice President of AAPA and will report on a day-to-day basis to the two Co-Presidents, Mark Mulready, VP of Cyber Services at Irdeto and Oliver Pribramksy, Head of IP Protection and Committees at the Deutsche Fussball Liga. She will be responsible for the implementation of the strategy agreed by AAPA members, managing relationships with law enforcement agencies such as Europol, Eurojust, INTERPOL and the European Institutions, delivery of AAPA’s Working Group goals and general management of the Alliance. Mark Mulready said that: “We are delighted to appoint someone of Miruna’s calibre and experience to become the Executive Director of AAPA. Miruna’s commitment to copyright protection is well-known. Her knowledge of the Brussels institutions and the EUIPO will stand AAPA in good stead for future policy developments. A priority will be for Miruna to work closely with AAPA members, the EUIPO and the European Institutions to deliver on, inter alia, the goals of combatting online piracy of sports and other live events recommendation.” Miruna Herovanu commented that: “My professional experience demonstrated that piracy is an ever-growing issue that eats at the heart of Europe’s most important industries. This is a golden opportunity and a new professional challenge that will help further develop my passion for and commitment to protecting copyright. Being able to work with and support industry experts and practitioners in AAPA, law enforcement, the European Institutions and other trade associations is essential to the fight against piracy. I am excited to be taking on this role.”