Declaring Themselves If They Will Stop on January 1, 2020, IndoXXI Website Still Operates Until Now

Kapanlagi.com - At the end of 2019, netizens were shocked by the news of the closure of the illegal film website, IndoXXI. Previously, they had already announced through their website and Twitter account that starting from January 1, 2020, IndoXXI would stop operating.

"Happy New Year 2020. Starting today, our website can no longer be accessed, as well as the IndoXXI lite application. Thank you for being loyal viewers of INDOXXI until now, always support the domestic industry to advance in the future. Regards, INDOXXI," wrote on the IndoXXI website and their Twitter account.

However, until now, Thursday (1/3/2020), there are still a number of IndoXXI sites that continue to operate and still provide access to pirated content of Indonesian and international films.

This illegal film website is very popular in Indonesia and several countries in Southeast Asia. The US-based web traffic analysis company, Alexa, puts IndoXXI as the 721st most popular website in the world. In addition, IndoXXI is also included in the top 100 most popular websites in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

1. Piracy Disturbs Investors

Following the December survey results from a research company appointed by AVIA, YouGov, it was found that 63% of Indonesians access movie piracy websites.

The Indonesian government has promised to identify and prosecute those who operate the indoXXI movie piracy website unless they cease their operations.

Minister of Communication and Information, Johnny Plate, said that piracy has a negative impact on the country as it disrupts investors who want to invest in Indonesia. 

"Using pirated films will have a negative impact on the country. When inviting investors to invest in Indonesia, we must protect it with high intelligence. Respect intellectual property rights," said Johnny Plate. 

Public Relations Commissioner, Asep Adi Saputra, Head of the National Police Public Relations Division, stated that the police will cooperate with KOMINFO to ensure legal violations committed by IndoXXI. 

"Of course, the police fully support what is being carried out technically based on the authority of Kominfo," said Asep.

2. Like Cats and Mice

The chase between the government and the IndoXXI website is like a cat and mouse game. When the government blocks their website, IndoXXI always emerges with a new site and continues to operate.

The Director General of Aptika Kominfo, Semuel Abrijani, said that Kominfo will cooperate with the Video Coalition of Indonesia (VCI) to pursue the perpetrators of piracy.

"We are working with video and film associations to eradicate film piracy websites. It's like a cat and mouse game. But, together with VCI, we will continue to pursue them (IndoXXI)," said Samuel.

"These websites are dangerous. In addition to harming intellectual property rights owners, we have found malware on some of the blocked sites," he added. 

3. Harmful Piracy

Joko Anwar, one of the most successful directors in Indonesia, deeply regrets this piracy. According to him, piracy greatly harms the entire film industry.

"Piracy is not a victimless crime. It harms the entire film industry, hinders its growth, which in turn reduces opportunities for more people to work in the field and threatens the livelihoods of those already working in our industry," said Joko Anwar. 

In addition to Joko Anwar, there is also a famous actor, Reza Rahadian. According to Reza, film piracy will certainly have a negative impact on the growth of the Indonesian film industry.

"Appreciation to the government and all parties involved who have helped make this happen. Piracy in any form has a negative impact on the growth of the film industry, especially the Indonesian film industry," he explained. 

4. Continuously Pursuing Film Piracy Perpetrators

The Indonesian Film Company Association (APFI) will continue to fight against piracy. Chand Parwez, the chairman of APFI, stated that they will continue to pursue film piracy perpetrators. 

“indoXXI may have claimed to have voluntarily shut down their illegal services, but what is important is that APFI, the Indonesian Video Coalition, and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (KOMINFO) continue to proactively combat piracy," said Chand Parwez.

“Considering the significant cost of copyright infringement, we must remain vigilant and continue to do everything we can to fight against film piracy websites that not only steal content but also actively use their platforms to promote illegal activities, including gambling. One resistance will not win the war, and APFI will continue to fight," he added. 

Edy Sulistyi, CEO of GoPlay, also deeply regrets the existence of piracy. He also appreciates the government's efforts in eradicating film piracy.

“As a work of our nation's children, we highly appreciate the law enforcement measures taken by the government to eradicate film piracy in Indonesia," he stated. 

5. Organized Crime

According to the General Manager of AVIA from the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), Neil Gane, he said that this piracy is not carried out by just one person. It is an organized crime on a large scale.

"Piracy on such a scale is organized crime, pure and simple," said Neil.

IndoXXI Group, based in Indonesia, controls a number of film piracy websites and illegal applications that are accessed globally but are very popular throughout Southeast Asia.

IndoXXI Group was listed on the 2019 USTR Notorious Markets List by the United States government, which identifies the most terrible websites outside the United States that are involved in and facilitate copyright infringement or trademark counterfeiting.

(kpl/DIM)