The International Broadcaster Coalition Against Piracy (IBCAP) has launched a proprietary, automated software-based system to identify and remove infringing video-on-demand (VOD) content on set-top boxes (STB) and IPTV services.
IBCAP’s lab had recently implemented a beta version of the new system on 10 STB services. The software identified more than 100,000 VOD assets owned or exclusively licensed to IBCAP members through automated scans of a selected list of titles.
“This enhancement is designed to remove millions of illegal VOD streams, making a significant impact on piracy worldwide,” said Chris Kuelling, executive director of IBCAP. “Our continued investment in developing our own automated systems underscores our commitment to innovation and protecting our members’ content, both in the U.S. and around the globe,” he said.
Developed in-house
Developed by IBCAP’s in-house software engineering team, the VOD-focused solution uses automated methods to find infringing content, collect evidence and then generate and send takedown notices to the entities hosting the infringing streams.
Building on the IBCAP lab’s successful software that automates the removal of linear channels, the new system extends that capability to on-demand video content. Since launching its software for automated scanning and takedowns of linear channels a few years ago, IBCAP has achieved more than a 75% annual removal rate and expects similar compliance over time for VOD content.
Quick success
In the short period following its beta launch, IBCAP had already received strong compliance from the hosting providers used by the infringing services to transmit the identified VOD assets. Following today’s announcement of the full launch of the VOD-targeted software, IBCAP plans to add more than 80 STBs and IPTV services for automated enforcement in the coming months.
For infringing services that remain non-compliant after the initial automated takedown notifications are issued, IBCAP’s in-house attorneys will send follow-up letters notifying infringers of their copyright violations.
Press release
IBCAP launches automated VOD monitoring and takedown system to combat piracy in set-top boxes and IPTV services. Press release. April 15, 2025. IBCAP
Why it matters
This VOD-focused system complements IBCAP’s existing proprietary software, which has already been in use against infringing linear channels, bolstering IBCAP’s ability to combat piracy across multiple platforms.
“IBCAP’s new proprietary tool for VOD protection is the result of a year-long effort by our software engineering team, adding another automated solution to our robust toolbox to remove infringing content,” said Mr. Kuelling
The system is similar in intent to Italy’s Piracy Shield system, in that it uses automation to alert ISPs to block infringing services within 30 minutes of notification. But IBCAP’s platform uses IBCAP’s own piracy detection facilities, rather than depending on notifications from rights-holders as Piracy Shield does.
