Blog Post

PRESS RELEASE: Anti-piracy associations declare commitment to global co-operation

AAPA

20th September 2013

At an event sponsored by the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA), John Medeiros representing CASBAA, Pascal Metral for the Alianza contra la Pireteria de Television Paga, David Wuergler from STOP - Nordic Content Protection, Scott Butler for the Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance and Christine Maury-Panis of AAPA committed to work together to strengthen the fight against audiovisual piracy.

Recognising that piracy is a shared problem and that many techniques and perpetrators are active across regions the associations agreed to create an informal network which will allow information about instances of piracy, new sources of piracy, new trends in piracy, etc., to be shared quickly and securely.

Sharing information and intelligence will also enable the associations and their members’ security specialists to collaborate on cross-border enforcement activities and cases.

Commenting on the event Sheila Cassells, Executive Director of AAPA, said that

“This is a first, important step in our collective commitment to fight audiovisual piracy. Each association has valuable intelligence which can be utilised to support all our members in their efforts to bring pirates to court and stamp out activities which damage businesses and consumers alike. We want to build upon this network and invite other associations with the same goal to join us.”

John Medeiros, Chief Policy Officer, CASBAA said: “International pirate syndicates operate with impunity across national lines, using the internet to drive the world to the lowest common denominator of IP protection. In this situation, the legitimate industries badly need to connect and share.”

Pascal Métral, VP of Legal Affairs, NAGRA and co-executive Director for the Alianza, said: “Putting in place a collaboration model – even informal – between regional anti-piracy organisations is key to successfully addressing the current pay-TV piracy threats which more and more have Internet-related and trans-border aspects”.

David Würgler, CEO, " It is a pleasure to see that it is possible for the TV business worldwide to unite and face the problems with piracy together. I am sure that there are a lot of experiences and know how that can be exchanged to the benefit of all."

Christine Maury-Panis, EVP General Counsel, Viaccess-Orca and VP, AAPA said: "I am proud that AAPA originated this initiative and am pleased that Nordic Content Protection - STOP, CASBAA, the Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance and Alianza have made it a reality. This will greatly enhance our efficiency in the fight against piracy. I hope that other associations will join us on this is a major step forward. “

During the event the group identified other areas – such as the need to better educate legislators and enforcement agencies about audiovisual piracy both to support enforcement action and to promote a more harmonised legal regime – where the associations will work together also. To this end, AAPA will be hosting a workshop at the Interpol International Law Enforcement IP crime conference in Dublin next month where they will share the learnings from that with the other associations.

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Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance 2024-2029 EU Manifesto

by AAPA • 01 Oct, 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.”