CSC News Table of Contents
The sports streaming piracy ring behind 821 million visits annually has been taken offline by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE).
This Hanoi-based operation, known as Markkystreams, streamed live sports events from U.S. and global leagues, including content from ACE members such as DAZN, beIN Sports, and Canal+.
ACE’s move marks one of its biggest victories against piracy to date, disrupting a network that had been undermining the commercial value of live sports broadcasts. The operation serves as a warning to illegal streaming operators worldwide.
Key Takeaway to Sports Streaming Piracy Ring:
- The shutdown of this sports streaming piracy ring is a major step in protecting live sports broadcasts from illegal streaming networks.
ACE Takes Down Major Sports Piracy Network
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) announced it has dismantled the largest sports streaming piracy ring it has encountered to date.
Known as Markkystreams, the Vietnam-based operation attracted 821 million visits in 2023 by illegally streaming sports events from prominent U.S. and global leagues.
This network targeted audiences in the U.S. and Canada, severely impacting ACE members like DAZN, beIN Sports, and Canal+.
Details of the Piracy Operation
The operation included 138 domains, such as bestsolaris[dot]com, streameast[dot]to, and markkystreams[dot]com.
These sites streamed live sports daily, bypassing legitimate channels and causing financial losses for the affected leagues and platforms.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Operation Name | Markkystreams |
| Annual Visits | 821 million |
| Impact | U.S. and global sports leagues, including DAZN and beIN Sports |
| Seized Domains | 138 domains, including weakspell[dot]to and crackstreams[dot]dev |
Official Statements
Larissa Knapp, Executive Vice President at the Motion Picture Association (MPA), highlighted the unique challenges of piracy in live sports.
“Live sports broadcasts lose substantial commercial value once the game ends. This takedown sends a strong message to piracy operators everywhere,” Knapp emphasized.
ACE’s efforts aim to protect intellectual property and ensure that fans can access content through legitimate means.
History of ACE’s Anti-Piracy Campaigns
Since its establishment in 2017, ACE has been at the forefront of shutting down illegal streaming operations, including platforms like Openload, Streamango, and Zoro.to.
Working alongside law enforcement agencies such as Interpol and Europol, ACE has dismantled major piracy networks worldwide.
Notable cases include:
- Beast IPTV (2020): A pirate IPTV service shut down in December 2020.
- 123movies.la (2021): One of the largest streaming platforms taken offline in May 2021.
- Zoro.to (2023): The world’s largest anime piracy site, dismantled in July 2023.
The group’s efforts have also led to the conviction of individuals behind the Jetflicks and other streaming networks, demonstrating its commitment to combating piracy at all levels.
The Ongoing Battle Against Piracy
This latest victory is part of ACE’s broader campaign to safeguard intellectual property and combat piracy. However, the fight is far from over. Live sports streaming, in particular, remains a lucrative target for piracy networks due to its real-time appeal.
Jim Coyle, a cybersecurity expert, noted:
Piracy operators are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it crucial for platforms to adopt advanced security measures and for enforcement agencies to stay ahead of these threats.
About ACE
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) is a global coalition of over 50 leading media companies, including Amazon, Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
ACE works to protect intellectual property rights and combat illegal streaming services. Visit their official website for more information.
Rounding Up
The dismantling of this sports streaming piracy ring is a landmark achievement for ACE and its members. By taking decisive action against Markkystreams, ACE has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the creative industries from piracy.
As technology evolves, the fight against piracy will require innovative solutions and continued collaboration between enforcement agencies and the private sector.
FAQs
What is the Markkystreams piracy operation?
- Markkystreams was a Vietnam-based sports streaming piracy ring with over 821 million annual visits, illegally streaming live sports events.
How did ACE shut down the piracy network?
- ACE worked with law enforcement to seize 138 domains associated with the piracy ring and shut down its operations.
Which companies were affected by the piracy ring?
- ACE members like DAZN, beIN Sports, Canal+, and other sports broadcasters were impacted.
What is ACE’s role in combating piracy?
- ACE is a coalition of over 50 media companies dedicated to shutting down illegal streaming services and protecting intellectual property.
What steps can fans take to avoid illegal streaming?
- Fans should use legitimate platforms to access content, ensuring they support creators and avoid legal risks associated with piracy.
Is live sports piracy still a major issue?
- Yes, live sports piracy remains a significant challenge due to its real-time appeal and financial impact on legitimate broadcasters.
