For anyone who has ever had their content stolen, you’ll love today’s news.

In a coordinated effort spanning ten countries, law enforcement agencies have dismantled what is believed to be the world’s largest piracy network, a sophisticated operation serving over 22 million users across Europe. Dubbed Operation Takendown, the two-year investigation culminated in raids on approximately 100 properties, resulting in 11 arrests and the seizure of $1.73 million in cryptocurrency.

The operation involved law enforcement in the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and Romania. It was conducted in collaboration with Europol and supported by the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA). Over 100 additional individuals are under investigation, underscoring the expansive reach of the illegal network.

Authorities allege that the criminal network generates over €250 million ($263 USD) in illegal revenue each month by distributing pirated content, including movies, television series, and live television channels. This lucrative scheme was facilitated by IPTV devices, which were used to provide unauthorized access to premium entertainment content.

“This sends a strong message that, alongside our partners, we are committed to dismantling pirate networks across borders and holding their ringleaders accountable,” said Matt Hibbert, group director of anti-piracy at Sky. “We will continue supporting efforts to end digital piracy and protect consumers from the risks of these illegal services.”

The large-scale operation resulted in the seizure of at least 29 computer servers and hundreds of IPTV devices used in the distribution of pirated material. Authorities also took down around 100 websites and domains suspected of hosting illegal streams. Europol’s findings revealed that beyond copyright violations, the network engaged in other criminal activities, including money laundering and cybercrime.

“The scale of these multi-jurisdictional law enforcement actions highlights the considerable challenge our industry faces when dealing with such sophisticated international pirate networks,” said Mark Mulready, co-president of AAPA. “We are proud to have collaborated with our law enforcement partners to provide technical training and in-field support to assist them in successfully tackling the world’s largest pirate network.”

The investigation spanned two years, during which authorities monitored social media platforms and illegal streaming forums to track the network’s activities. The seized servers are expected to provide additional evidence regarding the network’s operations, with investigators focusing on tracing the financial flows and identifying further collaborators.

This operation marks one of the most significant blows to digital piracy in recent history. The removal of the network has disrupted illegal streaming services that accounted for a significant portion of global piracy activity.

Europol emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combatting such operations, highlighting the transnational nature of digital piracy.

Every day, adult content creators wake up to hear that yet another person has stolen their content. It seems to be a never-ending battle to get their stolen content removed from illegal websites. So, I, for one, am happy to hear when major piracy networks like this are taken down.