IFPI, the organization that represents the recording industry worldwide, and BVMI, the recorded music body in Germany, report having taken successful legal action against the individual hosting the stream-ripping software YouTube-DL.
The Hamburg Regional Court has issued an injunction requiring the individual to stop hosting the software.
The software allows users to download content directly from YouTube, thereby circumventing YouTube’s technical protection measures applied to protect licensed streamed content from unauthorized downloading.
Stream ripping is the illegal practice of creating a downloadable file from content that is legally available to stream online.
IFPI says it’s the most prevalent form of online music copyright infringement.
According to the IFPI, based on a survey carried out last year, 27% of people globally used stream-ripping sites as a way to illegally download music.
This figure reportedly increased to 40% amongst 16- to 24-year-olds.
Legal actions targeting stream-ripping services have been successful against other sites in several markets.
In January, for example, IFPI, alongside IMI, representing music labels in India, coordinated what they said was the first-ever successful blocking action targeting stream-ripping sites in India.
Successful action has also been taken in the likes of Germany as well as in various other jurisdictions, including in Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Peru and the UK.
“We continue to work around the world to tackle the issue of stream ripping which diverts revenue away from those investing in and creating music.”
Frances Moore, Chief Executive, IFPI, commented: “YouTube-DL’s services were making it possible for users to rip streams and download copyright protected music without paying for it.
“The decision today from the Hamburg Regional Court builds on the precedent already set in Germany, further indicating that hosting stream ripping software of this nature is illegal.
“We continue to work around the world to tackle the issue of stream ripping which diverts revenue away from those investing in and creating music.”
“Illegal music use remains a major challenge for the industry worldwide.”
Dr. Florian Drücke, BVMI
Dr. Florian Drücke, Chairman & CEO, BVMI, said: “Illegal music use remains a major challenge for the industry worldwide. Globally, 30 per cent of users report listening to or buying music through unlicensed or illegal means, with stream ripping among the most popular methods.
“This is unacceptable and harms all players in the industry as well as the music fans themselves.
“Against this background, the decision of the Hamburg Regional Court that the host provider must refrain from distributing the YouTube-DL software is consistent and important for the industry.”Music Business Worldwide
