iBomma (the piracy website) is back online and is drawing attention from law enforcement and representatives of the film industry (heavily) due to continuing legal violations as a result of the operation of this website to illegally leak Telugu and regional films (along with other copyright infringements and acts of piracy via the internet).
Table of Contents
What is iBomma?
iBomma is a website that illegally shares pirated digital copies of (the following) copyright-protected film content without obtaining the necessary permission from the filmmaker/production house to do so; as such, many (if not all) of these actions violate copyright law:
- Telugu movies
- Tamil movies
- Malayalam movies
- Hindi dubbed movies
- Web series; and
- OTT content
Many users of iBomma use the website frequently and consistently due to the fact that the website provides users with the following:
- Free HD movie downloads
- Mobile-friendly streaming
- Quick access to new releases; and
- Access to the iBomma website in the Telugu language
Why is iBomma back in the news?
After reports of activity regarding iBomma becoming reestablished as a result of new domain registration sites and mirror websites, and after previously having been banned, authorities (cybercrime police) initiated a new investigation following the activity observed on this website; the investigation focuses on the following:
- Website operators
- Hosting networks
- Domain registrars
- Revenue sources
- Telegram and social media promotional channels
Additionally, authorities continue to research how this website continues to evade bans from using the internet resulting from previous enforcement efforts.
Who is iBomma Ravi?
Recently there has been an increased interest in iBomma Ravi on social media and other online channels, as he has been linked in multiple ways to the controversial piracy site, iBomma. There has also not been any official publicly available information to confirm who iBomma Ravi actually is or what his actual role or potential direct ownership of the piracy site is.
Several reports online and numerous posts on social media claim that the name “iBomma Ravi” is associated with:
- Alleged piracy operations.
- Leaking of Telugu movies.
- Online streaming and download services.
- Internet crime investigations involving piracy.
To date, however, those details haven’t been released by law enforcement to the public as they continue to investigate these matters.
Why is iBomma Ravi trending?
iBomma Ravi began trending recently due to the following:
- Reports of law enforcement investigations into piracy sites.
- Discussions concerning the illegal leak of Telugu movies.
- A number of posts on social media attributing certain individuals to the operations of iBomma.
As a result of the increased enforcement of laws regarding piracy in India, there seems to be a growing number of people looking for him.
Cybercrime Police Launch Probe
Recent reports reflect that Cyber Crime officials are stepping up their surveillance of piracy networks associated with iBomma. Some of the many avenues taken to investigate piracy activity are as follows:
- Many mirror domains are under investigation
- Technical teams are working to identify where servers are located
- Individuals who have facilitated the promotion of piracy links will be identified by authorities
- Complaints submitted by film producers and distribution companies have prompted authorities to initiate legal and investigative measures.
The police have also cooperated or partnered with the following entities in carrying out their investigations:
- ISPs (Internet Service Providers)
- Cybersecurity experts
- Organizations that work toward enforcing copyright law
- The film industry
The investigation seeks to stop copyright-protected materials from illegally being distributed on the internet.
Impact on Film Industry
Piracy websites, such as iBomma, have resulted in significant losses to:
- Producers of films
- OTT Platforms
- Distributors
- Theatrical owners
- Actors/technicians
Piracy has harmed the industry by negatively impacting:
Box Office Revenues
Newly released films are typically leaked within hours of their release, which in turn results in reduced audiences at theaters.
OTT Revenues
Streaming platforms often face a decline in exclusive viewership when copyrighted content is shared unlawfully online.
Small Budget Films
Small-budget, independent films are probably the most affected by piracy due to the fact that their viability is dependent upon the volume of revenue they generate during their initial release period.
How iBomma Operates
Piracy websites usually avoid being shut down through the following:
- Frequent changes of domain names
- Use of foreign-hosting sites
- Creation of duplicate or mirror sites
- Promotion of links on Telegram-type websites and traditional social media
Despite restrictions on several domains, duplicate versions of the website frequently return online using new web extensions such as the following:
- .net
- .com
- .in
- .xyz
- .vip
Legal Issues Surrounding Piracy
In accordance with Indian copyright law, those who upload/download pirated content illegally run the risk of:
- Being fined
- Receiving a legal notice
- Criminal charges
- Prison time if it is a serious offense.
Authorities are constantly giving out warnings against using pirated platforms.
Film Industry Reacts
Filmmakers and actors have consistently appealed to audiences to not pirate films because the producers claim that piracy hurts the efforts of the entire crew that worked on the film.
There have been reports of Tollywood producers requesting stricter actions against websites such as iBomma, Tamilrockers, etc.
Government and Anti-Piracy Measures
Authorities around the world have initiated the following measures to help fight online piracy:
- Web blocking orders
- Cybercrime monitoring units
- Copyright enforcement drives
- Working with OTT (over-the-top) providers
There remains a severe gap between the measures being taken by the authorities to stop piracy and the updated piracy schemes being utilized by the existing piracy networks, which include adopting new technologies and utilizing mirrored domain names.
Public Awareness
Cybersecurity experts recommend that everyday users refrain from using online piracy sites because they probably have
- Viruses
- Theft of your personal information
- Fake Ads
- Dangerous Pop-ups
- Cyber Scams
To date, your safest option to watch a movie online is through the use of legal OTT platforms
Conclusion
The revival of iBomma is a great example of how difficult it is for the Indian film industry to eliminate digital piracy. While cybercrime police investigate the latest developments related to the iBomma network, the film industry continues to request that stronger action be taken by authorities against digital piracy.
As a result of the ongoing challenges related to digital piracy, authorities are expected to strengthen their ability to surveil illegal streaming activity and act against all individuals found to be involved in distributing, or attempting to distribute, copyrighted materials via the Internet.
Also read: Rukmini Vasanth Biography: Age, Movies, Family, Career, Net Worth & More
