Illegal streaming websites are blocked

By Francisco Espinosa Reboa

On September 14 local authorities carried out an operation in the city of Lima, arresting three people for managing several websites where illegal streaming and downloading of films took place. The operation was jointly done by the Police Investigations Division of High Technology Crimes and the Special Prosecutor's Office for Customs Crimes and Intellectual Property of Lima.

The Office had received a complaint for infringement of Intellectual Property rights by the websites pelis24.com, pelis24.tv and series24.tv, so a preliminary investigation was opened. "In view of the abundant evidence of copyright infringement a search was made, detentions were requested, the websites were blocked and equipment was seized", explained prosecutor Miguel Ángel Puicón to todotvnews.

According to Puicón this is the first case for the Office regarding "virtual infringement" of IP, a "great achievement" as in the last years authorities efforts have been directed towards Internet platforms and not only typical physical piracy as discs and DVDs. "Virtual piracy has another connotation, we must use other procedures, another form of investigation and another strategy and therefore the authorities must be prepared on technological issues", said Puicón.