RIAA Backs Federal Report Naming 69 Global Piracy Hotspots

The Recording Industry Association of America endorsed a federal government report identifying 69 digital and physical markets worldwide where copyright theft runs rampant. The United States Trade Representative released its annual Notorious Markets Report, cataloging 37 online platforms and 32 physical locations that facilitate substantial piracy.

George York, RIAA Senior Vice President for International Policy, praised the document's focus on music industry concerns. He specifically targeted "bulletproof" internet service providers, cyberlockers, stream-ripping services, torrent sites, and unlicensed streaming platforms that damage the creative economy's global competitiveness.

The report arrives as cyberlockers dominate the notorious markets list, replacing defunct giants like RapidShare and MegaUpload with new platforms that fill the void. Chinese social commerce sites, particularly Douyin, face scrutiny for counterfeit merchandise operations that violate trademark protections.

York called for increased attention to artificial intelligence threats, including unauthorized use of copyrighted recordings and artist identities to create deepfakes and voice clones. Ambassador Jamieson Greer emphasized concerns about counterfeit sports merchandise and illegal broadcast streaming ahead of the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States.