Hollywood Fights Back Against Major Pirate Sites

Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), working closely with Hollywood’s Motion Picture Association (MPA), has achieved a significant milestone in combating digital piracy. Recently, ACE announced its role in the closure of Fmovies, a major network known for streaming pirated films and TV shows. ACE, which represents over 50 leading entertainment companies like Amazon, Disney, and Warner Bros., described Fmovies as "the largest pirate streaming operation in the world." According to The Hollywood Reporter, two individuals connected to this operation were arrested by Hanoi police.

Charles Rivkin, CEO of MPA and chairman of ACE, hailed the shutdown of Fmovies as a major victory for the global entertainment industry, including cast members, crews, writers, directors, and studios. Larissa Knapp, the MPA’s chief content protection officer, emphasized that this action serves as a strong warning to others operating or considering starting similar piracy sites.

The closure of Fmovies, which began in 2016, follows the recent disappearance of other illegal streaming sites like Aniwave and AnimeFlix, leaving their users scrambling. Aniwave’s site now features a message, apparently from its former operators, encouraging users to switch to legal services to support creators and content producers. This message closely mirrors statements from sites previously targeted by ACE.

While studios have always opposed piracy due to lost revenue, the persistence of such sites is partly because they offer vast catalogs of content more conveniently than legal options. As studios increasingly restrict content across different platforms and raise prices, the challenge of making legal services more appealing remains. This latest action by ACE is part of a broader effort to address the financial impact of piracy amid the ongoing streaming wars and Hollywood's push for greater profits.