In the ever-evolving world of file-sharing, the closure of a pirate site doesn’t necessarily mean the end of piracy. Often, identical or similar platforms emerge as replacements, making it difficult to eradicate the problem completely. This brings us to the recent closure of Zone-Telechargement (ZT), one of the most popular French-language pirate sites, which was shut down once again after almost six years.
French Military Police Shut Down Site in 2016
Founded in 2011, ZT quickly became one of France’s most-visited sites, offering a wide range of pirated content, including movies, TV shows, games, and music. However, in 2016, the site faced serious trouble after complaints from copyright holders. The French Gendarmerie and Andorran police arrested seven people in an operation to shut down ZT. Despite the shutdown, several platforms with the same name or similar names attempted to replicate the original site.
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Zone-Telechargement Shuts Down Again
On Monday, visitors to some of the replacement domains, such as zone-telechargement.cam and zt-za.net, were redirected to an announcement stating that ZT had closed its doors once again. The message expressed gratitude to everyone who had been a part of the ZT community and confirmed the permanent closure of all old and new domains associated with the platform. The site’s operators also stated their intention to completely destroy the database, leaving around 11 million monthly users affected.
Tirexo Says It Will Also Shut Down
In a similar fashion, popular streaming site Tirexo announced its impending closure. The operators thanked their users and expressed their sentiment that the adventure had come to an end. The exact reasons behind the shutdowns and whether external pressure was a factor are yet to be determined.
Fingers Point Towards Anti-Piracy Groups
When pirate sites abruptly shut down in France, anti-piracy groups ALPA and SACEM are often the primary suspects. ALPA previously listed ZT and Tirexo-branded domains as the top illegal sites in a report on video piracy in France. However, ALPA has declined to comment on their involvement in these specific shutdowns. As further developments unfold, we will provide updates on any responsible parties.
Determining which domains will continue to be used by these pirate ‘brands’ could become more straightforward in the coming days. However, it’s worth noting that the proliferation of similarly named platforms means that these pirate alternatives are likely to persist, even if the ‘real’ sites have been retired for good.
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Update 28/04: The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has officially confirmed its role in forcing the closure of both Zone-Telechargement and Tirexo. These two sites were among the largest piracy services operating out of North Africa, with a combined monthly traffic of over 31 million visits, mainly from French-speaking countries. ACE identified and approached the operators, leading to the shutdown of their services. Negotiations with the operators are still ongoing.
Operating from Morocco, Tirexo was the second most visited infringing service in France and the number one illegal streaming service in the country. In March 2022, Tirexo attracted 18.87 million visits, offering access to 131,000 movie titles and 34,000 TV series episodes, affecting all ACE members. Zone-Telechargement, operating from Tunisia, was the third most visited infringing service in France, with 11.36 million visits in March 2022. The site provided access to 46,000 movie titles and 11,500 TV series episodes, also affecting all ACE members.
Jan van Voorn, the Executive Vice President and Chief of Global Content Protection for the Motion Picture Association, stated that this enforcement action demonstrates ACE’s dedication to reducing piracy in the region. ACE is actively identifying more pirate services in North African countries and preparing for future actions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Zone-Telechargement and Tirexo shut down?
The exact reasons for their closures remain unknown. It is speculated that pressure from anti-piracy groups played a role, but no official confirmation has been provided.
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Q: Will these pirate sites reappear under different names?
While the ‘real’ sites have been permanently shut down, it is possible that similarly named platforms will continue to emerge in the future.
Q: How will the shutdown affect users?
Around 11 million monthly users will be affected by the closure of Zone-Telechargement. Tirexo’s closure will also impact its user base. Users will need to find alternative platforms for their streaming and downloading needs.
Conclusion
The recent closure of Zone-Telechargement and Tirexo highlights the ongoing battle against piracy. While these sites may disappear, the proliferation of pirate ‘brands’ presents a persistent challenge for copyright holders and anti-piracy groups. It remains to be seen how the landscape will evolve and what measures will be taken to protect the legal ecosystem and reduce digital piracy.
**Disclaimer: The information provided in this article about the closure of Zone-Telechargement and Tirexo is based on available sources and will be updated as more details emerge.
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