Over 3,600 Websites Offering Pirated Content Blocked Since 2021 - Armizan

PETALING JAYA, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- A total of 3,682 illegal websites offering and spreading pirated content such as popular films and music have been blocked from 2021 to November 2024, according to Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

He said that the blocking was carried out by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Internet service providers (ISPs).

“This is part of the ministry's commitment to protecting local creative works from being exploited illegally,” he told a press conference after attending an engagement session on digital intellectual property protection in Malaysia at MyIPO Tower, here today.

Armizan said that to intensify efforts in protecting creative works, KPDN has also introduced the Cyber Copyright Enforcement Programme (CyCORE), which involves collaboration with the MCMC, ISPs, and copyright holders.

He stressed that the KPDN is committed to eliminating the widespread distribution of digital piracy on the internet through this programme.

“KPDN will continue to strengthen cooperation with various agencies involved in efforts to address digital piracy issues,” he said, adding that collaboration from all industry stakeholders is also essential to ensure that these efforts are implemented through a whole-of-nation approach.

Regarding awareness of intellectual property registration in the context of copyright, Armizan said that 69,442 voluntary copyright notifications have been filed with the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO) from 2012 to last year.

He said this includes various creative works such as literature, arts, music, films, and sound recordings.

On another development, Armizan said that the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations would be announced soon.

“The most important thing in determining this SHMMP is to consider the availability of goods and to negotiate the prices with the industry players because we want a win-win situation, as it does not involve any financial implications for the government but does involve the businesses in that industry,” he said.

-- BERNAMA