In a bold move to safeguard the creative integrity of the performing arts, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), under the leadership of Minister Yu In-chon, has announced a significant crackdown on the illegal distribution of 'milcam' videos—unauthorized recordings of performances such as musicals. This operation, led by the newly established Copyright Crime Forensic Unit, has already seen the apprehension of five individuals last December, with plans to forward the cases to the prosecution upon conclusion of the investigations.
Despite prior warnings and the announcement of a focused crackdown by the Copyright Crime Forensic Unit in December, these individuals boldly continued to post listings for 'milcam' recordings of musicals on online blogs, illegally distributing over 34,000 files and reaping substantial profits. The estimated damage to the industry due to these activities amounts to approximately 3.4 billion KRW. The Korean musical community, including the Korea Musical Theater Association and the Korea Musical Producers Association, has been combating the illegal distribution of performance recordings through campaigns and criminal lawsuits since 2019, but has faced challenges in completely eradicating these activities. A situation in September last year, where a musical performance was live-streamed without permission via social media, has further highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue.
Leveraging industry-provided investigation materials and monitoring data from the Korea Copyright Commission, the Copyright Crime Forensic Unit was able to narrow down the suspects and successfully detain five individuals across four regions. These suspects, comprising high school and college students with aspirations or love for musical theater, operated personal blogs for an average of 20 months. They engaged in the exchange and sale of 'milcam' recordings for pocket money or living expenses through secretive comments and cloud sharing links, thereby habitually infringing on copyright holders' rights.
This crackdown underscores the gravity of copyright infringement, which can lead to imprisonment of up to five years or fines of up to 50 million KRW, with proceeds from the crime also subject to confiscation. Even personal recordings taken without the permission of the musical production companies can lead to claims for damages by copyright holders. In response to the evolving and increasingly sophisticated nature of copyright crimes, the MCST launched the Copyright Crime Forensic Unit on October 23 last year, enhancing the investigative capabilities of copyright special judicial police and focusing on illegal content distribution sites.
Minister Yu In-chon, in his announcement of the 'Realization of a Copyright Powerhouse, Four Major Strategies' on December 27 last year, emphasized the first strategy of strengthening creators' rights, which includes a focused crackdown on illegal 'milcam' transactions. The Copyright Crime Forensic Unit, since its inception, has worked closely with industries such as performance, content, and publishing to investigate copyright infringements previously overlooked. With the recent 'milcam' crackdown serving as a catalyst, the MCST plans to further intensify copyright infringement investigations through public-private cooperation.
Director Jung Hyang-mi of the MCST's Copyright Bureau highlighted the importance of changing perceptions among performance enthusiasts for the growth of K-Musicals and plays into globally recognized K-Content. The ministry intends to continue its efforts in promoting correct consumption practices in collaboration with the performance industry.
As we anticipate further developments, the commitment of the MCST and the dedication of the Copyright Crime Forensic Unit herald a new era in the protection of intellectual property rights within the performing arts sector. This crackdown is not just a win for copyright holders but also a crucial step towards nurturing a respectful and legally compliant culture among fans and enthusiasts of the vibrant Korean performing arts scene.
Comments