13 Stream Ripping Websites Shutdown

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Music Industry has made history and marked an important victory in the efforts of eradicating music related violations in the form of piracy after the Directorate General of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Law of the Republic of Indonesia (DJKI) recommended the shutdown of 13 Stream-Ripping websites to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs. The shutdown of the 13 Stream-Ripping websites was carried out following a report submitted by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) regarding the practice of illegal download and conversion of copyright protected musical content. Following the IFPI report, DJKI has verified and decided to shut down 13 Stream-Ripping websites. Although there were a total of 14 different parties that were reported by IFPI, only one party still remains under analysis.

Stream-Ripping refers to the practice of altering content that is accessible through streaming platforms such as music videos from Youtube or other streaming services, into permanent file copies that can be stored and played offline without the consent of their respective copyright owners. Such practices undermine the rights of songwriters, musicians, record labels, and the whole ecosystem of the music industry as it enables users to obtain copyrighted works without generating the royalties to which the rights holders are entitled to receive. In regard to this, DJKI aims to continuously strengthen copyright protection in this digital era whilst also ensuring that reports submitted by copyright holders are to be professionally managed. As a Law Enforcement Agency that focuses on Intellectual Property, DJKI urges the public to refrain from accessing or distributing content from Illegal Stream-Ripping websites and to actively report any potential violation of intellectual property rights. 

The Indonesian government considers that digital piracy does not only undermine the rights of individual creators but would also hinder investments and the overall development of Indonesia’s creative industry. The shutdown of the 13 Stream Ripping websites was positively welcomed by musicians and individuals in the music industry. Many singers and composers consider the 13 website closures as a form of protection for their works. They hope that this decisive action will increase the general public’s awareness on the use of legal music service platforms. According to several musicians, the process of composing music requires a significant amount of time, money, and creativity; thus, any unlawful use of their creation is considered to undermine the rights of their respective creators. Songwriters hope that the shutdown of illegal websites will increase the number of music streamers on official platforms, expecting a rise in the royalties they receive. This income is important for supporting the sustainability of musicians’ careers and the production of new works. (FBK/MDH-su)