Bangkok: The Premier League, JAS, and the British Embassy have united to tackle piracy in football broadcasting in Thailand. According to Thai News Agency, the Premier League, alongside its broadcasting partner JAS and the British Embassy, organized a reception in Bangkok to emphasize their joint efforts to combat online copyright infringement and safeguard consumers in Thailand. The event saw participation from government officials, law enforcement, and media representatives.
This initiative underscores the collaboration between the Premier League, JAS, the British Government, and Thai government agencies, demonstrating their mutual commitment to addressing intellectual property infringement. The focus is on providing fans with access to Premier League football via officially sanctioned channels and platforms that guarantee quality and security.
The event convened representatives from various stakeholders, including the British Embassy, JAS, Thai government agencies, and law enforcement organizations, all aligned with the goal of preventing and curbing copyright violations. It also served as a platform to review recent progress in anti-piracy initiatives within Thailand.
Efforts highlighted include law enforcement raids on illegal distribution networks, blocking pirated websites, and consumer education through the Boot Out Piracy campaign, which aims to inform the public about the dangers and repercussions of copyright infringement.
The reception also explored the risks consumers face when accessing illegal streaming services, such as exposure to cybercrime, malware, and fraud. Research by the Premier League indicates that pirated streaming sites pose greater security risks compared to legitimate services. In Thailand, popular pirated websites were found to be significantly more likely to scam football fans than legal sites.
Both parties emphasized the importance of revenue from authorized broadcasting agreements in supporting football development, including grassroots and community projects in Thailand. Opting for legal services aids in sustaining football investments and supports the sport's long-term growth.
Stefan Sergott, Premier League's Director of Legal Affairs - Enforcement, remarked on Thailand's passionate fanbase and the importance of partnerships with JAS, the British Embassy, and Thai entities in tackling copyright infringement. He noted the harm of piracy to consumers and legitimate businesses, and the risks fans face from illegal broadcasts.
Dr. Sorach Asavaprapha, CEO of JAS, expressed JAS's dedication to delivering secure and legally compliant football content to Thai fans. He highlighted the partnership's role in enhancing consumer protection, raising piracy awareness, and promoting responsible digital content use.
British Ambassador Nicola Pollitt stressed the importance of legal access to Premier League content for Thai fans. She noted the detrimental effects of piracy on consumers and investment and reaffirmed the UK's support for the collaborative efforts to protect intellectual property and ensure continued investment in football and community projects.
The reception showcased the Premier League's extensive anti-piracy initiative, highlighting advanced content protection and global collaboration with broadcasters, industry groups, and law enforcement to combat illegal streaming networks and raise consumer awareness of piracy risks.