May 3: At WAVES 2025, a high-level panel discussion titled “Piracy: Safeguarding Content through Technology” brought together global experts in media, cybersecurity, and law to address the urgent challenge of online piracy. The session underscored the need for a multi-pronged strategy combining technology, law enforcement, and public education.
Moderated by Neil Gane, VP at IP House Asia Pacific, the panel emphasized that piracy is no longer a fringe concern but a major economic and cybersecurity threat.
Vivek Couto, Executive Director at Media Partners Asia, highlighted the scale of economic losses, projecting a 10% revenue dip due to piracy between 2025–2029. He noted that effective enforcement could result in 25% growth in legal video users, unlocking $0.5 billion in content investment.
Dr. Shruti Mantri of ISB warned about the link between piracy and malware, with young users especially vulnerable. She announced a Digital Piracy Summit in July, in collaboration with CBI and Interpol, to address the growing threat.
Anurag Kashyap of DAZN shared a proactive anti-piracy model based on detection, disruption, and deterrence, while Anil Lale from Jio Hotstar stressed the need for strict legal action to deter pirates.
Praveen Anand, legal expert from Anand and Anand, advocated for judicial reforms and the use of AI, blockchain, and watermarking to strengthen anti-piracy efforts.
The panel concluded that collaboration across technology, law, and public education is essential to protect the future of digital content.