ANCINE (Brazil’s Agência Nacional do Cinema or National Film Agency) has taken an important step in tackling the unauthorized offering of audiovisual content on the internet with the publication of Normative Instruction (NI) No. 174, which went into force on April 10, 2026 and provides a clearer framework for the Agency’s administrative action in this area; according to Murta Goyanes Advogados, a Brazilian law firm.
Normative Instruction (NI) No. 174 adopts a broad concept of “protected audiovisual content”, encompassing audiovisual, cinematographic, and videophonographic works, as well as programs, programming channels, and events, whether domestic or foreign, provided they are protected by copyright or related broadcasting rights. It also provides a standardized framework by which rights-owners identify their content.
MGA highlights three key aspects of this regulation.
- Creation of a specific administrative procedure for the receipt, review, and processing of complaints concerning audiovisual piracy, which brings greater predictability and organization to regulatory enforcement.
- Establishment of a structured procedure for the review of such complaints, with formal stages for admissibility, notification, adversarial proceedings, and full defense, as well as a 48-hour deadline for the removal of or challenge to the content. In specific situations, such as live broadcasts, the rule allows for the adoption of faster measures.
- Establishing the scope of the containment measures, which may extend to domains, subdomains, IP addresses, URLs, and other extensions used to enable the unlawful offering of protected content.
Why it matters
From an Intellectual Property standpoint, this development is especially relevant because it strengthens the mechanisms available to protect audiovisual content. More than simply removing unlawful content, the NI now reaches the operational structure that enables digital piracy.
The rule also provides for ANCINE’s ability to act in investigating violations, subject to due process, full defense, and proportionality.
Further reading
Normative Instruction No. 174, of April 8, 2026. Legislation. National Cinema Agency (ANCINE) Ministry of Culture. Government of Brazil
ANCINE’s new rule against digital piracy strengthens the protection of audiovisual works and copyright in Brazil. Press release. April 14, 2026. Murta Goyanes Advogados
MinC approves R$1.4 billion plan for audiovisual and advances in the restructuring of the FSA. Press release. April 6, 2026. Brazil Ministry of Culture
