At WAVES 2025, industry experts and stakeholders emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to combating digital piracy, integrating technology, law enforcement, and public awareness to protect India’s growing media and entertainment sector.
Moderated by Neil Gane, Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific at IP House, the panel discussion “Piracy: Safeguarding Content through Technology” addressed the economic and cybercrime risks associated with piracy, urging stakeholders to shift the conversation from protection to potential gains.
Vivek Couto, Managing & Executive Director of Media Partners Asia, highlighted that unchecked piracy could cost the industry over 10% in lost revenue between 2025 and 2029. However, effective anti-piracy enforcement could drive a 25% increase in legal video service users, unlocking US$ 0.5 billion in content investment and pushing the total industry value to US$ 3.8 billion by 2029.
Dr. Shruti Mantri, Associate Director at ISB Institute of Data Science, pointed to the cybersecurity threats embedded in piracy, noting that trojans, ransomware, and spyware often accompany pirated content, making users aged 18-24 particularly vulnerable. She announced an upcoming Digital Piracy Summit, organized by ISB in collaboration with CBI and Interpol, scheduled for July 9-10, aiming to raise awareness and drive legal interventions.
Anurag Kashyap, Head of Anti-Piracy Operations at DAZN, detailed preventive piracy strategies in sports broadcasting, explaining the three Ds: detection, disruption, and deterrence. He emphasized invisible watermarking technology, which helps trace leaked content and strengthen enforcement.
Legal experts also stressed the importance of proactive measures. Anil Lale, Head-Legal at Jio Hotstar, called for aggressive prosecution of pirates, urging law enforcement to track leak sources instead of reacting after damage is done.
Praveen Anand of Anand and Anand Associates advocated a hybrid approach combining AI, blockchain, and watermarking with physical deterrents like metal detectors in cinemas to reduce camcording risks.
The panel agreed that a unified strategy integrating legislation, technology, enforcement, and public education is essential for safeguarding digital content and sustaining India’s creative economy.
