The UAE has blocked more than 1,000 websites this year for violating intellectual property rights by illegally broadcasting entertainment content owned by various media networks, according to the Ministry of Economy (MoE). This crackdown primarily occurred during Ramadan, responding to the increased demand for multimedia content during the holy month.
Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, assistant undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Rights Sector at the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the success of the ‘InstaBlock’ initiative. “Since the implementation of ‘InstaBlock’ during Ramadan, we have blocked a total of 1,117 websites that infringed upon intellectual property rights by illegally broadcasting entertainment content owned by various media networks,” he said in a Khaleej Times report.
The number of illegal websites blocked this year marks a significant increase compared to 2023, when only 62 sites were shut down. Al Muaini explained that the comprehensive approach developed by the ministry includes a specialized instant response service for handling copyright infringement complaints related to live online broadcasting.
“This proves we have successfully developed a comprehensive approach that offers a specialised instant response service for receiving complaints related to copyright infringements on live online broadcasting,” he added, noting that the ‘InstaBlock’ initiative will now be a year-round program.
One of the key tools in this effort is ‘LiveBan’, designed specifically to address complaints regarding copyright infringements on live online broadcasts. The initiative aims to foster a secure and attractive environment for creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for creativity and the knowledge economy.