ABS-CBN FILES $40 MILLION ANTI-PIRACY SUIT

ABS-CBN, a leading global Filipino media and entertainment company, filed a USD $40-million lawsuit entitled, ABS-CBN v. 123Fullpinoymovieshub.com, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against 40 pirate domains pirating ABS-CBN's content and infringing its copyrights and trademarks, according to the listed firm's disclosure today filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The Court recently issued a preliminary injunction against these 40 pirate domains to take down the domains with a serving notice. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida is the Federal United States District Court with territorial jurisdiction over the southern part of the state of Florida.

The lawsuit comes as news reports show piracy has made a comeback during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by TVtechnology.com on how media companies are dealing with piracy in the age of COVID, lockdowns resulted in more breaches of streaming security as a result of higher demand.

Criminals isolated at home as well and likely had more time and inclination to devote to nefarious activities.

"Beware of pirate domains, especially clicking on them. They usually contain malware which can substantially infect your computer," said Elisha Lawrence, Assistant Vice President & Head of Global Anti-Piracy. She continues, "Watch our content on safe legitimate services such as ABS-CBN's OTT platform iWantTFC and the TFC channel on all major cable and satellite providers."

"We see it as our job to protect the consumer from the dangers that pirated content brings and, at the same time, provide quality content for their enjoyment," said ABS-CBN Managing Director of North and Latin America Jun Del Rosario. ABS-CBN is represented by Stephen M. Gaffigan and Christine Daley of the Law Offices of Stephen M. Gaffigan, PA.

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