India Is Second-Largest Source of Global Piracy Traffic: Report
The Indian entertainment industry has been grappling with the issue of piracy for years, and a recent report has shed new light on the scale of the problem. According to a report by MUSO, a leading digital piracy tracker, India accounted for over 1,756 crore visits to pirated sites in 2024, making it the second-largest source of global piracy traffic after the United States.
The report, which analyzed data from over 1,000 piracy sites, found that India’s piracy traffic accounted for 8.1% of the global total, with the US leading the way with a staggering 34.2% share. The report highlights the significant impact that unmet demand is having on the global piracy problem, with many users turning to illegal sources to access the content they want.
But what’s more concerning is that while piracy of films, music, and software declined globally, publishing piracy rose by 4.3% in 2024, driven mainly by the demand for Manga, a popular genre of Japanese comics. This rise in publishing piracy is a worrying trend, as it suggests that the problem is not going away anytime soon.
So, what’s driving the demand for pirated content in India? According to MUSO’s report, one of the key factors is the lack of affordable and accessible legal alternatives. Many Indians are priced out of the legal market due to high costs, limited content availability, and poor internet infrastructure in many parts of the country.
Another factor contributing to the rise in piracy is the proliferation of streaming services. While streaming has made it easier for users to access a wide range of content, it has also created new opportunities for pirates to distribute illegal content. The report notes that many pirates are now using streaming services as a way to distribute pirated content, making it harder for users to distinguish between legal and illegal sources.
The impact of piracy on the Indian entertainment industry cannot be overstated. Piracy not only deprives creators of their rightful earnings but also undermines the development of the industry as a whole. The report notes that the piracy problem is not just limited to music, movies, and software but also affects the publishing industry, which is a significant contributor to the country’s GDP.
So, what can be done to combat piracy in India? The report suggests that the government and the entertainment industry must work together to address the root causes of piracy. This includes improving internet infrastructure, providing affordable and accessible legal alternatives, and cracking down on pirates.
The Indian government has taken some steps to combat piracy in recent years, including the introduction of stricter laws and increased enforcement efforts. However, more needs to be done to tackle the problem at its source. The entertainment industry must also take responsibility for providing legal and affordable alternatives to users, and must work to improve the user experience to reduce the demand for pirated content.
In conclusion, the report by MUSO highlights the significant scale of the piracy problem in India and the need for urgent action to address it. The government and the entertainment industry must work together to provide affordable and accessible legal alternatives, improve internet infrastructure, and crack down on pirates. Only by taking a comprehensive approach can we hope to combat the scourge of piracy and ensure that creators are paid fairly for their work.
