In the field of copyright protection, the cat-and-mouse game between rights holders and pirate sites has been ongoing for years. The typical response to piracy involves sending Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown requests to search engines like Google as soon as infringing sites are discovered. However, this method cannot completely eliminate piracy, as these sites continuously migrate to new domains.
Amidst this situation, a conference held by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in February 2025 discussed new AI-powered anti-piracy measures. A particularly notable proposal was the AI-Driven Copyright Protection Toolkit developed by Portugal-based NOS Technology, which has the potential to reshape the future of piracy countermeasures.
The Potential of AI-Powered Automated Copyright Protection
The toolkit proposed by NOS Technology integrates AI, machine learning, and blockchain technologies to detect, verify, and respond to copyright infringements in real time. While platforms like YouTube have already employed AI-based technologies to remove infringing content, this new system takes it a step further by enabling internet service providers (ISPs) to block pirated content at the network level.
The mechanism connects to ISPs via an API, automatically identifying and controlling blocking gateways to prevent the spread of illegal content. By automating the mass takedown of pirated materials without human intervention, this system promises to be far more efficient than conventional DMCA takedown requests.
Challenges in AI-Driven Copyright Protection
Despite its potential, there are several challenges to implementing this technology.
- Risk of False Positives
The accuracy of AI-driven detection will depend on future technological advancements. If legally used content is mistakenly blocked, it could infringe on users’ freedom of expression and disrupt legitimate businesses.
- Collaboration with ISPs
For this system to function effectively, ISPs in different countries must adopt it. However, variations in national legal frameworks and business environments could make widespread implementation difficult.
- Transparency of Technology
Many details about NOS Technology’s toolkit remain undisclosed. Key issues such as “What criteria will be used for blocking?” and “How will false positives be prevented?” are likely to be central points of debate moving forward.
Future Outlook
The goal of copyright protection measures is not only to eliminate illegal content but also to ensure the proper distribution of creative works and safeguard creators’ rights. In this regard, AI-driven copyright protection represents significant progress. However, achieving a balance between rights holders and general users will require addressing concerns about transparency and false positives.
The WIPO conference highlighted the future potential of AI-powered copyright protection, but its actual implementation and effectiveness will depend on how developments unfold. As we enter a new era of copyright enforcement, a combination of technological innovation and careful regulatory design will be essential.