THE National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) has outlined three new measures — one of which is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) — to curb digital piracy in the country.
Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, speaking after a recent meeting of the government's Digital Piracy Committee, said data sharing, including the use of AI, was a proactive measure to monitor platforms operated by digital pirates.
"The Digital Piracy Committee had its first meeting for the year. They will be held two or three times a year.
"Digital piracy is fast becoming a serious problem for all computer users, and we have come up with some basic measures to curb this menace," said Azmir, who chairs the committee.
He added that the measures outlined were a "practical strategy".
"Among the strategies we discussed was working closely with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).
"Together with MyIPO, we will ensure that ownership of projects that have obtained the Filming Authentication Certificate (SPP) are safeguarded."
He further said data sharing would be jointly conducted to monitor the digital pirates.
"On our part, we will come up with a war room to collect data and monitor their movements.
"If any content creator makes a complaint about the theft of his or her work, we will forward it to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for further action.
"All parties involved must submit information on such piracy cases so that we will get sufficient information on the criminals' activities,"
Azmir said many developed countries have begun to use AI to curb digital piracy.
"At the meeting, I suggested that all government agencies explore the latest technology, especially AI.
"In South Korea for example, they use AI to deal with piracy effectively.
"We need to do research from time to time and develop more sustainable technology to bust piracy."
The meeting held at the Finas office in Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya, was attended by MCMC content monitoring department head Megat Ishak Maamunor Rashid, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcement officer Mohd Shazuan Che Pin and CyberSecurity Malaysia digital forensics quality manager Mohammad Azree Yahaya.
Also present were Communications Ministry content development division assistant secretary-general Siti Hajar Che May, its investigations and digital governance head Brendan Micheal, as well as Finas licensing and enforcement director Mohamad Syimir Alfi Zahari.
Finas previously announced that it would reactivate the Digital Piracy Committee, which was established in 2020.