While the numbers are slightly lower than in 2022, piracy remained a serious concern in Italy; based on a 2023 consumer survey conducted by Italy’s Federation for the Protection of Industries Audiovisual and Multimedia Content (FAPAV) and IPSOS; announced in June at an industry event hosted by FAPAV.
According to Ipsos data, 39% of Italian adults (aged 15 years and above) committed at least one act of piracy in 2023 illicitly using movies, series/fiction programs or live sports: 3 percentage points less than in the previous year. In total, there are an estimated 319 million acts of piracy compared to 345 million in 2022.
Illicit streaming (“IPTV”) sites represent a preferred form for access to pirated content. About 11.8 million Italians visited ‘IPTV’ sites at least once, follow streaming with 18% and download with 15%.
Younger consumers have a higher incidence of piracy access, are predominantly employed, have a higher level of education than the Italian population (22% of graduates), and are geographically more concentrated in Italy’s south. Men are slightly more likely than women to access illegal sites.
Ipsos estimated a loss of turnover for the Italian economy of about 2 billion euros due to piracy, which implies a loss of GDP of about 821 million euros and a contraction in jobs of about 11,200.
Further reading
FAPAV/IPSOS 2023 Survey. Press release. June 25, 2024. FAPAV Labs, FAPAV (Federation for the Protection of Industries
Audiovisual and Multimedia Content, Italy)
Why it matters
79% of those accessing illegal sources admitted knowing that this is an illicit practice and represents a crime. Nearly half are unaware of the seriousness of the phenomenon and its impact, for example, on jobs or on creative talent
37% of those accessing illegal sources stated that, following the entry into force of Italy’s new anti-piracy efforts, they will no longer download or enjoy audiovisual content in an illicit form.
