Association of American Publishers Address the Issue of Piracy
The Association of American publishers (AAP) has highlighted the problem of piracy in their recent report to the Special Trading Representative of the United States (U.S. Trade Representative)[source]. The report focuses on the issue of shadow libraries such as Libgen and Sci-Hub, as well as the new Anna’s Archive search engine. Publishers have also expressed concern regarding the abuse of the Interplanetary File System (IPFS).
IPFS is a decentralized network that allows for the exchange of files and ensures site stability in cases of censorship and hosting malfunctions. While the system is beneficial for archivists and researchers, it is also exploited by operators of pirate sites to circumvent restrictions.
In recent statements, the AAP has repeatedly raised concerns about IPFS, specifically regarding the spread of pirated copies of books and articles using this technology. The main issue highlighted is the use of gateways to access IPFS content without requiring the installation of specialized software. Publishers view these gateways as a facilitating factor in accessing pirate content, posing a threat to their industry.
Despite acknowledging the legal applications of IPFS and recognizing its role in creating a more reliable infrastructure, publishers are calling for action from gateway operators to address the piracy issue. Some gateways have already begun accepting complaints regarding copyright violations, such as Cloudflare, which has taken over 1,000 actions on IPFS complaints in the past six months.
In their appeal, publishers refrain from providing specific recommendations but express their desire to see proactive measures taken by the gateways to block pirate sites. While a seemingly straightforward solution, this poses a complex issue for a network designed to counter censorship. Publishers emphasize that there are more pressing piracy-related problems that require attention, including the numerous pirate sites available on the open Internet.