In a statement that responded to the European Commission’s recent assessment of the piracy recommendations it published in 2023, the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) called out the gravity of online piracy, saying that it “has evolved into a structural threat to Europe’s cultural sovereignty, competitiveness and consumer safety.”
AAPA said that the EU should take a leadership role to “drive meaningful engagement and structural change across the intermediaries whose infrastructures are routinely leveraged by illegal operators,” and is in best position to do so. This means hosting providers, digital infrastructure (CDNs, data centres, IP and domain registries, hardware providers), online platforms and services (social media platforms, streaming services, e-commerce platforms), and monetisation and reach enablers (payment services, online advertising networks).
“Only a coherent, EU-wide approach anchored in full chain engagement can deliver consistency, predictability and genuine deterrent effect, and that clear expectations, transparency obligations and proactive measures are essential,” said AAPA.
AAPA also applauded the Commission’s recognition of the growing use of dynamic blocking injunctions across EU Member States.
Why it matters
Acknowledging the Commission report’s conclusion that piracy continues to grow in scale and sophistication, exploiting new technologies and digital distribution models, and that existing voluntary and non-binding approaches to online piracy have not delivered the intended results; AAPA called on the Commission to play a leading role in promoting a European framework for piracy blocking and coordinated action across the value chain.
Further reading
Safeguarding Europe’s cultural future: AAPA backs EU action on online piracy. Press release. November 24, 2025. Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA)
