Concerns Grow in Argentina Over Audiovisual Piracy

By Estudio Chaloupka

The Argentine Association of ICT, Video and Connectivity (ATVC) has issued a strong statement denouncing the increasing spread of audiovisual piracy in the country, warning of its harmful effects on the content ecosystem, intellectual property rights, and the broader digital economy. Central to the association’s concerns are platforms such as Magis TV and Flujo TV, which distribute content without authorization, directly infringing copyright and related rights.

According to ATVC, these services operate entirely outside the law: they do not pay taxes, do not create formal employment, and ignore the legal frameworks that govern the legitimate distribution of audiovisual material. The association argues that piracy harms the entire value chain of the pay-TV and telecom sectors, deters local investment, and undermines the sustainability of Argentina’s audiovisual industry. Moreover, consumers are exposed to substandard services, potential data and financial security risks, and possible legal consequences.

This warning from ATVC aligns with broader regional and global concerns. Intellectual property organizations have repeatedly flagged Latin America as a region of growing piracy activity, with Argentina specifically drawing attention for the increasing availability and use of illegal streaming services, as well as limited enforcement capabilities.

ATVC defends the pay-TV model as the most effective, equitable, and technically reliable system for distributing live content—especially high-demand broadcasts such as sports events. The model is built on regulated networks and contractual agreements that ensure legal compliance, technical quality, and efficient resource use.

The association also underscores the need for industry-wide adoption of preventive technological measures, including secure content delivery networks (CDNs) and robust encryption protocols. However, it acknowledges that combating piracy requires coordinated action across the ecosystem—among content providers, ISPs, regulators, and the judiciary.

Regarding judicial content blocking as a countermeasure, ATVC recognizes its potential utility in certain cases but warns that it should be applied carefully and within a clearly defined legal framework. Blocking actions, the group argues, must be led by competent judicial authorities and used as exceptional tools, given the significant operational and financial burden they place on connectivity and content distribution providers.

Ultimately, ATVC calls for the construction of a collaborative ecosystem involving courts, regulators, ISPs, and content producers to develop effective anti-piracy tools and raise awareness around secure and responsible content access. The association reiterated its commitment to engage in dialogue aimed at fostering a competitive, legal, and sustainable industry that serves users and upholds the integrity of the audiovisual sector.