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Dominican Authorities Dismantle Major Piracy Network in USD 23 Million Intellectual Property Fraud Case
By Guzmán Ariza, Attorneys at Law
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have dismantled an extensive digital piracy network accused of illegally distributing copyrighted audiovisual content belonging to Sony Pictures, Netflix, and Disney, among other international rights holders. The operation, coordinated by the country’s Public Prosecutor’s Office and supported by specialized cybercrime units, revealed a sophisticated scheme that defrauded these entertainment companies of more than USD 23 million through unauthorized online streaming services.
According to official reports, the network provided illegal access to a wide range of films, series, and documentaries, reproducing and broadcasting them without authorization from their legitimate owners. These acts constitute serious violations of Dominican Law No. 65-00 on Copyright and Law No. 20-00 on Industrial Property, which together safeguard the moral and economic rights of authors and prohibit the unlicensed reproduction, distribution, and commercialization of creative works.
The investigation uncovered evidence of identity theft, technological circumvention, and large-scale monetization through illegal subscriptions and advertising.The network’s operations not only infringed copyright but also raised concerns related to data protection and cybercrime, reflecting the growing overlap between intellectual property and digital security law.
Authorities carried out more than a dozen simultaneous raids, seizing servers, computing equipment, digital storage devices, and financial documentation tied to the illicit enterprise. The materials are now part of an ongoing judicial process that could result in criminal charges for copyright infringement, cyber fraud, and money laundering.
Guzmán Ariza, Attorneys at Law
Guzmán Ariza is a leading full-service law firm in the Dominican Republic, consistently ranked among the country’s top-tier firms by the most prominent global legal directories such as Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.
With ten strategically located offices across the nation's principal business and tourism hubs, we are uniquely positioned to support clients in seizing opportunities within the largest and fastest-growing economy in Central America and the Caribbean.
Our multilingual team is well-versed in advising international clients across a broad spectrum of practice areas. In the field of intellectual property, we offer robust counsel and representation in both commercial transactions and litigation. Our services cover trademark and trade name protection, copyright and patent registration and enforcement, as well as licensing, assignments, and the transfer of IP rights.
Guzmán Ariza is globally connected through active memberships in prominent international legal networks, enabling us to effectively support cross-border matters and multinational transactions.