The Vietnamese film industry is currently facing challenges of unauthorized copying, editing, reviewing, and livestreaming on the internet, causing frustration among filmmakers. This issue took center stage at the “Copyright Protection in the Development of the Film Industry” workshop held on November 22 in Da Lat.
Overview of the ‘Copyright Protection in the Development of the Film Industry’ Workshop – Photo: DAU DUNG
The workshop, directed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized in collaboration with the Department of Copyright, coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong Province.
The event is part of the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival, taking place from November 21 to November 25.
Innocent Livestreaming Lawyer Quach Van Minh, the Secretary-General of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Film and Television Copyrights (VAFC), shared insights into the emerging trend of film reviews being shared as short videos on YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok.
While reviews may seem harmless, the underlying motive is often to generate views and earn illicit profits, causing harm to the interests of film production units.
Director and producer Vo Thanh Hoa cited examples of recent films like “Lat Mat 6: Tam Ve Dinh Menh,” “Con Nhot Mot Chong,” and “Sieu Lua Gap Sieu Lai,” which have been dissected into multiple short clips and shared on social media to bypass content review algorithms.
Director Luong Dinh Dung revealed that two of his films, “578: Phat Dan Cua Ke Dien” and “Xam Do,” are being circulated blatantly on the internet. He urged audiences to consider cinema as a business product, created with both financial investment and intellectual effort from filmmakers. He raised a crucial question: “When the works of film production units are violated, who will protect them, and is there an emergency hotline for urgent help?”
Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the Copyright Office (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), highlighted instances where films approved by the Film Department had not been released outside of theaters but were leaked online by someone.
The movie ‘Con Nhot mot chong’ has been cut into several small clips and broadcasted on social networks, bypassing content screening algorithms – Photo: DPCC
She cited the example of the film “Co Ba Sai Gon,” produced by Ngo Thanh Van, which was livestreamed shortly after its theatrical release. Additionally, many TV series currently airing have been recorded and widely disseminated on the internet.
Legal Challenges Doan Van Viet, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, referred to survey data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), showing that copyright-dependent industries, including the film industry, significantly contribute to the economic development of both developed and developing countries.
He cited examples such as the United States (contributing 12% to GDP), South Korea (9.89% GDP), China (7.35% GDP), Malaysia (5.7% GDP), and Thailand (4.48% GDP).
“Bolstering copyright protection plays a vital role in supporting and promoting the development of copyright-dependent industries, contributing to the rapid development of the economy, culture, and society,” the deputy minister stated.
However, with technological advancements, copyright infringement has become more sophisticated, posing numerous legal challenges, according to Pham Thi Kim Oanh.
Addressing the legal challenges, Nguyen Han, Director of Thudom Multimedia, noted that post-release protective measures are often insufficient. He likened the current situation to “releasing chickens and not being able to catch them again.” This happens when the relevant authorities lack the tools and procedures to protect rights in new conditions and contexts.
Lawyer Quach Van Minh added that although Vietnam has a relatively comprehensive legal system, including Intellectual Property Law, guiding decrees, Film Law, and administrative penalties, the fines are low and not proportional to the extent of violations and the damages suffered by film production units. Director Vo Thanh Hoa further emphasized the complexity and time-consuming nature of current procedures for handling violations.
Saving Vietnamese Cinema Experts and filmmakers proposed mechanisms, support policies, and legal improvements to enhance copyright protection and raise awareness about copyrights for the development of the film industry.
Pham Thi Kim Oanh suggested a stronger application of information technology in copyright management and enforcement. She emphasized the need for coordination with relevant foreign agencies to combat and handle copyright infringements on the internet.
A representative from Thudom Multimedia recommended encryption to protect and manage films before distribution and release. The addition of copyright marks for tracking, along with strict international distribution procedures, was also proposed. Several existing technological solutions were mentioned as capable of supporting and solving this problem.
In addition to rigorous enforcement, Lawyer Quach Van Minh suggested “blocking the ad revenue source of pirate websites.” This approach has been successful in countries like South Korea, Australia, and the UK. Representatives from the Phan Law Vietnam law firm emphasized that civil lawsuits against violators should be encouraged to prevent and warn other offenders.
With illegal streaming websites still rampant on the internet, do the authorities find it challenging to intervene?
In the context of the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival, a seminar on copyright protection in the development of the film industry addressed a pressing issue—illegal streaming websites.
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan – President of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association speaking at the seminar. Photo: Organizing Committee
Ts. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association, affirmed to Dân Việt that, according to global statistics, Vietnam has one of the lowest awareness levels regarding copyrights in films and cinema. This is especially concerning given the continued existence of numerous illegal streaming websites. Phuong Lan pointed to the case in 2021, where the first criminal charges were filed against the pirate website phimmoi.com. However, the case remains unresolved.
Phimmoi.com is an illicit streaming website with servers located abroad, offering hundreds to thousands of pirated films for free. This has led to the proliferation of numerous other illegal websites, and so far, there hasn’t been sufficient measures or sanctions to deter them. Ts. Ngo Phuong Lan asserted that without effective copyright protection, the efforts of filmmakers, especially with illegal streaming websites still “invading” cyberspace, make it challenging for the Vietnamese film industry to thrive.
The seminar on Copyright Protection in the Development of the Film Industry involves the participation of numerous experts in the film and copyright sectors. Photo: Organizing Committee
Nguyen Ngoc Han, CEO of Thu Do Multimedia, expressed concerns about the involvement of betting websites behind these illicit streaming platforms, embedding advertisements and encouraging betting on pirated films.
Sharing her thoughts with Dân Việt, Phạm Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the Copyright Office (Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism), believed that the rapid and overwhelming development of the Internet and technology is one of the main reasons. With just a smartphone, anyone can illegally livestream and swiftly upload content to social media platforms. Vo Thanh Hoa, a film director, concurred with this viewpoint, emphasizing the financial losses suffered by producers and filmmakers when their content is illicitly shared on platforms like TikTok. Many Vietnamese films released in the past year, such as ‘Con Nhot Mot Chong,’ ‘Sieu Lua Gap Sieu Lay,’ ‘Nha Ba Nu,’ and recently ‘Nguoi Vo Cuoi Cung,’ ‘Dat Rung Phuong Nam,’ have easily become subjects of unauthorized clips and improper edits on social media platforms.
Mrs. Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Head of the Copyright Office at the Seminar. Photo: Organizing Committee
Phạm Thi Kim Oanh asserted that, to effectively address the issue, besides continually refining legal documents and protecting the copyrights of cinematic works, there is a need to rapidly integrate information technology into management and the enforcement of copyrights. This also involves close collaboration with relevant foreign agencies to combat and address violations on the Internet and cyberspace.
Dr. Quang Van Minh, a lawyer and Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Film and Television Copyright Protection Association, emphasized the necessity for practical and proactive measures. One such measure is to block ad revenue from illegal websites. He pointed out the practices of some countries, including the UK, where law enforcement agencies specializing in intellectual property crime have been established, collaborating closely with advertising platform providers on the internet.
Director Vo Thanh Hoa at the seminar. Photo: Organizing Committee (BTC).
Nguyen Ngoc Han suggested several technological measures, such as encryption for secure management, embedding copyright marks for content tracing when distributed to partners, granting viewing rights only to distribution units, not allowing copying rights, and automatically tracking revenue for distribution units. Currently, Han’s organization is implementing copyright protection using technology called Sigma Multi-DRM, which includes four security solutions: Play Ready, Widevine, Fairplay. Sigma DRM meets the standards agreed upon by most major copyright-holding companies globally for content distribution on the internet.
Han also added, ‘In addition to the general role like Multi-DRM in protecting content copyrights for devices with operating systems, the independent role of Sigma DRM is crucial in securing content for devices without operating systems. The number of these devices is expected to explode in the near future.’
Taking the example of the security camera sector, where currently, on average, each household has one camera, but in a few years, the country will have hundreds of millions of these devices, becoming the first sector with content that needs protection. The recent leaks of private clips underscore the open issues in security in this area. Another area is the Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices. Clearly, most current devices are connected and controlled through the cloud systems of foreign companies. When the country takes control of the development of IoT software and hardware, many layers of these devices requiring data exchange will need protection.”
Amidst the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival in Da Lat, Lam Dong province, the morning of November 22 witnessed over 100 delegates participating in the seminar “Protecting Copyright in the Development of the Film Industry.” Organized by the Copyright Office under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, this event unfolded within the framework of the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival.
View of the conference. (Photo: Anh Vu/Sports & Culture Newspaper)
The seminar boasted the attendance of more than 100 representatives, including managers, filmmakers, directors, and actors nationwide. It served as a crucial platform for regulatory bodies to continue listening to the aspirations of creative minds in the film industry.
Building upon this foundation, discussions revolved around researching and proposing mechanisms, supportive policies, and refining legal frameworks. The aim was to create favorable conditions that act as incentives for the development of copyright protection, innovation, and creativity in the film industry, specifically, and copyright-dependent industries, in general.
Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the Copyright Office, highlighted the ongoing copyright infringement challenges, especially in the realm of the internet, causing significant losses to film producers. To overcome this, Oanh emphasized the need for synchronized solutions such as refining legal documents concerning copyright protection, bolstering communication to enhance awareness, and leveraging information technology for effective copyright management and enforcement.
Director and film producer Luong Dinh Dung raised concerns about copyright infringement issues, particularly on online platforms, stressing the absence of stringent penalties for individuals and websites involved in such activities. Dung emphasized the importance of addressing this issue to nurture a robust domestic film environment.
Copyright protection in film industry development
Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Doan Van Viet acknowledged the challenges posed by the digital environment in protecting copyrights. This seminar aimed to identify obstacles, propose solutions, and gradually improve the legal framework for copyright and related rights.
Statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism revealed substantial growth in Vietnam’s film industry from 2018 to 2022. Despite challenges, the industry demonstrated strong annual increases in production value, labor resources, and the number of active film-related businesses.
Box Office revenues for cinema releases in 2018 reached around 3,400 billion VND and surpassed 4,100 billion VND in 2019. The impact of COVID-19 led to a significant downturn in 2020, with total industry revenue reaching 750 billion VND. However, by 2022, the industry had successfully recovered, achieving approximately 70% of the 2019 figures.
Innovative Solutions Unveiled: Sigma Multi-DRM
During the symposium, representatives from Thudo Multimedia, notably Nguyen Ngoc Han, introduced a groundbreaking solution in the form of Sigma Multi-DRM, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for copyright protection (commercially named Sigma Active Observer – SAO). This innovation empowers content owners and online content distribution platforms to safeguard copyright for their digital content.
Mr. Han Nguyen – CEO of Thudo Multimedia
According to Nguyen Ngoc Han, Sigma Multi-DRM comprises three layers of protection, certified by Catersian, a global organization specializing in the certification of security products. Thudo Multimedia is currently the only technology enterprise in Southeast Asia to receive this prestigious certification.
“With the Sigma Multi-DRM solution, Thudo Multimedia is ready to collaborate and support state management agencies and copyright owners. We aim to create a secure digital content environment, reducing the deployment time and financial costs compared to purchasing foreign technology,” affirmed Han.
In 2009, major record labels decided to remove DRM from music on iTunes. Over a decade has passed since then, and now the issue has resurfaced in a copyright infringement lawsuit. Internet service provider RCN plans to use it as a defense, while the record labels argue that the DRM issue is outdated and no longer relevant.
Towards the end of the 2000s, music fans celebrated the news that record labels and Apple had agreed to eliminate DRM from music files downloaded through iTunes.
The music industry initially implemented various measures to protect music files from unauthorized copying, but even legitimate customers were uncomfortable with these methods.
The removal of DRM was seen as a breakthrough by DRM opponents and a significant step forward in the music industry. However, more than a decade after iTunes removed DRM, this issue is being reexamined in a complex copyright infringement case.
Record labels clash with RCN
Three years ago, several record labels, including Arista Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music, and Warner Records, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Internet service provider RCN. The music companies accused RCN of taking no action against users of its service who were continuously infringing copyright.
These are just a few of the copyright infringement lawsuits currently taking place. These lawsuits are not insignificant, as they involve hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Therefore, RCN is seeking any possible means of defense.
After unsuccessful efforts, the Internet service provider is looking for other options to protect itself.
To do this, the company wants to learn more about the decision to remove DRM from downloaded files on iTunes. Specifically, the company is questioning music companies when seeking information related to the decision to eliminate DRM.
“Identify all those involved in the decision to remove DRM from music files sold through the iTunes store,” the request states.
During the Covid-19 crisis, the digital rights management (DRM) technology market was estimated to reach $3.3 billion in 2020, projected to potentially reach $8.2 billion by 2027, growing at a rate of approximately 13.7% between 2020 and 2027.
Within the field of DRM for television and entertainment, one of the segments in the report, it was forecasted to achieve a record growth of 14.6%, reaching $5.5 billion by the end of the research period. After an assessment of the pandemic’s impact on business operations, the growth of DRM for enterprises was adjusted to 12.9% over the next seven years.
The DRM market in the United States was estimated to be $900.6 million, while China was expected to grow by 18%.
Specifically:
The DRM market in the United States was estimated at $900.6 million in 2020. China, the world’s second-largest economy, was forecasted to reach $1.9 billion by 2027, with a growth rate of 18% between 2020 and 2027. Other notable markets include Japan and Canada, each predicted to grow by 9.6% and 12%, respectively, during the 2020-2027 period. In the European region, Germany was projected to grow at a rate of 10.8%.
The software DRM segment achieved a record growth of 11.1%.
For the global software DRM segment, the United States, Canada, Japan, China, and Europe were estimated to grow at a rate of 10.4%. Markets in this region, accounting for about $465.5 million in 2020, were expected to reach $930.5 million by the end of the research period. China was expected to be the fastest-growing country in this cluster. Led by Australia, India, South Korea, the Asia-Pacific market was forecasted to reach $1.2 billion by 2027, while Latin America was expected to grow at a rate of 12.7% throughout the research period.
DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is a method of protecting digital content from viewers by preventing actions such as copying or copyright infringement. DRM has evolved into a must-have tool for any on-demand video streaming platform. DRM ensures that video content is stored and transformed into an encrypted format, allowing only authorized users and devices to view the video.
In simple terms, DRM is a technology that prevents copyright violations by content creators to restrict unauthorized use of digital content. The main purpose of DRM is to prevent users from accessing, copying, and sharing content illegally.
Recent Comments