Artificial intelligence is becoming a crucial component of modern technology, with applications spanning customer service automation to national security. Now, AI is playing a growing role in copyright enforcement, introducing new strategies to combat digital piracy more effectively than ever before.
WIPO’s Advisory Committee on Enforcement Showcases AI in Copyright Protection
At a recent meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Advisory Committee on Enforcement, AI-driven anti-piracy solutions took center stage. One of the standout presentations was delivered by Portuguese company NOS Technology, which introduced its advanced AI-powered copyright protection tool.
This cutting-edge system is designed to monitor and respond to piracy incidents in real-time, incorporating generative AI, blockchain, and machine learning. However, details on its precise functionality remain limited.
AI-Powered Piracy Detection and Prevention
Pedro Bravo, NOS Technology’s Head of Content Protection, introduced the AI-driven anti-piracy toolkit, highlighting the increasing sophistication of digital piracy. According to Bravo, traditional manual monitoring methods are no longer sufficient, making AI essential for scalable enforcement efforts.
“These solutions leverage AI, generative AI, machine learning, blockchain, and automation to detect, confirm, and respond to piracy incidents in real-time, ensuring comprehensive intellectual property protection,” Bravo explained.
One of the tool’s most notable features is its capability to automatically issue takedown requests and block pirated streams. While AI-driven takedown systems are not new, integrating these capabilities directly with internet service providers (ISPs) represents a significant technological advancement.
Direct ISP-Level Blocking
NOS Technology’s AI-powered tool appears to integrate with ISPs via a direct API connection, enabling real-time blocking of pirated content at the domain or IP level. This approach is already in use in Portugal, where rights holders can request dynamic site blocking through administrative and legal procedures.
A small but important note in NOS Technology’s presentation detailed how the tool fits into Portugal’s site-blocking framework:
“Administrative and legal procedures in Portugal allow IP rights owners to request real-time or permanent takedowns by domain or IP. The anti-piracy tool detects, validates, and sends an order to a blocking gateway that connects through an API to the ISP.”
By automating this process, the system significantly reduces the need for human intervention, enabling near-instant blocking of unauthorized content.
Hollywood’s Interest in AI-Driven Copyright Enforcement
The Motion Picture Association (MPA), a leading proponent of global site-blocking measures, has also expressed interest in AI-powered copyright protection. At the same WIPO session, MPA Senior Executive Vice President Karyn Temple emphasized the importance of automated enforcement in the modern piracy landscape.
According to Temple, automated site-blocking solutions play a critical role in keeping pace with evolving piracy tactics. These systems continuously monitor DNS servers and IP addresses for infringing content and relay updates to ISPs for immediate action.
“Automated communication systems have been implemented between rightsholders and ISPs, allowing them to quickly share updates on infringing content that should be blocked under a dynamic court order or the supervision of competent authorities,” Temple stated.
Although NOS Technology markets its system as AI-powered, the extent to which artificial intelligence directly influences the blocking process remains unclear. Nonetheless, the growing reliance on automation in copyright enforcement indicates a shift toward more proactive, technology-driven strategies.
The Future of AI in Copyright Protection
As AI continues to evolve, both copyright holders and digital pirates will find ways to leverage its capabilities. While AI-driven enforcement tools can detect and block pirated content more efficiently, those engaged in piracy will likely develop countermeasures.
The question remains: will AI ultimately outpace digital piracy, or will it simply fuel an ongoing technological arms race? Regardless of the outcome, AI has firmly established itself as a major player in the battle against online piracy.