The Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) of Japan reported that Hanoi City Police initiated criminal proceedings against a 23-year-old Vietnamese man who operates the pirate website “Phim Nè” (phimne.live), which had been distributing Japanese films, anime, TV dramas, and other content without authorization.
Having a total of 1,090 registered members, and receiving more than 90,000 visits, “Phim Nè” (phimne.live) was launched in June 2025 and had a peak monthly traffic of over 20,000 visits. The site reportedly used automated data collection tools and other means to obtain infringing source materials and distributed films from Japan, the United States, and Vietnam, as well as other content, with Vietnamese subtitles or dubbing, without obtaining authorization from the rights holders.
Two additional 29-year-old Vietnamese men were cited for operating the pirate app “Phim Nè” (phimne.app), for crimes involving infringement of copyright and related rights.
The “Phim Nè” app (phimne.app) distributed works without authorization and charged users membership fees after 15 minutes of free viewing. Between early 2025 and April 2026, the operators were said to have made VND 415 million in profits (equivalent to approximately JPY 2.56 million or about US$16,000) via a total of 6,451 payments.
Police action
This law enforcement activity was carried out as part of a project commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The Government of Japan, as well as private organizations and companies including CODA, had repeatedly requested that the Government of Vietnam take appropriate measures against malicious pirate websites infringing Japanese content; however, no criminal enforcement action had previously been taken.
Against this backdrop, this case marks the first criminal enforcement action in Vietnam against intellectual property infringement involving Japanese content (according to CODA’s research). It represents a groundbreaking achievement for the protection of Japanese content rights in Vietnam and is expected to contribute to progress in addressing similar cases and to have a deterrent effect on future infringements.
Laying the groundwork
This case was made possible following the signing, in May 2026, by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung of a Prime Minister’s Official Telegram directing the thorough eradication, prevention, and enforcement against intellectual property rights infringement, which led to the launch of a nationwide intellectual property enforcement campaign.
In May 2026, CODA, in cooperation with IP FORWARD, a law firm with an office in Vietnam, and its partner law firm in Vietnam, MNB LAW FIRM, conducted an investigation and compiled information on the extent of damage suffered by Japanese works distributed through the pirate website “Phim Nè” (phimne.live), while supporting the investigation conducted by the Economic Police Division of the Hanoi City Police.
Coordinated action
In addition, right holders, including TMS ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD. and TOHO CO., LTD., cooperated in the criminal enforcement process by confirming ownership of the infringed works and submitting materials and documents required for the investigation.
During coordinated search operations conducted by the police on June 22, 2026, computers, electronic devices, storage media, and other evidence were seized. During subsequent questioning, the operators admitted that they had operated the website and the application. The case is currently proceeding as a formal criminal case, and further investigation is expected to continue with a view toward prosecution. CODA will continue to cooperate with the authorities throughout the criminal proceedings.
Why it matters
According to a 2025 Survey on Damage Caused by Online Piracy of Japanese Content, published in January 2026 by CODA, 74.2% of respondents in Vietnam reported having consumed pirated audiovisual content.
The 2026 Special 301 Report, released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR), said that Vietnam is “reported to have the highest incidence of online piracy in the Asia-Pacific region.
Commenting on the criminal proceedings, Takero Goto, Representative Director of CODA said: “This criminal enforcement action is not only an important case demonstrating the effectiveness of protecting Japanese content in Vietnam—where such protection had previously been difficult to achieve—but also an important precedent that will significantly advance future rights enforcement.”
Further reading
First criminal enforcement against a pirate site distributing Japanese content in Vietnam. Press release. August 7, 2026. Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA)
