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OTT (Over-The-Top) television is booming in Vietnam, offering endless entertainment options—blockbuster movies, top-tier football, and exclusive TV shows—all just a click away. But behind this convenience lies a challenging problem: OTT content copyright. While platforms like Netflix, VieON, and K+ spend millions to secure rights, illegal websites stream the same content for free, sparking debates among users and businesses alike.
Is OTT copyright the key to a sustainable entertainment future, or just a burden that drives up service costs? In this article, OTTclouds will explore the state of OTT copyright in Vietnam, its impact on viewers, and the solutions shaping this promising industry.
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What Is OTT Content Copyright?
OTT (Over-The-Top) content copyright is the legal ownership of movies, shows, sports matches, or any digital content streamed over the internet, bypassing traditional providers like cable or satellite. It allows platforms like VieON, iQIYI, or FPT Play to exclusively distribute what you watch while protecting creators from illegal copying.
OTT Copyright vs. Traditional TV: What’s the Difference?
OTT copyright differs sharply from traditional TV copyright, especially in how content is distributed and controlled. With cable TV, viewers need a television and a subscription. Copyright is pre-purchased by stations like VTV or HTV and tightly managed through fixed broadcasts. OTT, however, offers flexibility, delivering content via Wi-Fi or 4G to Smart TVs, phones, or laptops anytime, anywhere. But this freedom comes with a big challenge: protecting digital copyright.
Challenges in Managing OTT Copyright
Unlike traditional TV, where copyright is tied to specific regions, OTT copyright is trickier. Content lives in the vast digital space, making it easy prey for illegal websites or cracked software. For example, a football match on K+ can be illegally livestreamed within minutes without strong safeguards.
The biggest difference? User interaction. With OTT, you can rewind, download (if allowed), or switch devices—features traditional TV struggles to offer. But this convenience forces OTT platforms to invest heavily in digital copyright protection and comply with laws to stop violations. OTT copyright isn’t just about buying content; it’s a battle to preserve its value in the internet age.
The Reality of Copyright Infringement OTT
Ever wondered why a big football match or new blockbuster pops up free online hours after release? That’s the dark side of OTT (Over-The-Top)—the internet TV service taking Vietnam by storm.
Despite its unmatched convenience, OTT faces rampant copyright violations, from movies and entertainment to sports leagues. Illegal websites, rogue OTT apps, and even social media turn digital content into a “free goldmine,” costing the legal OTT industry hundreds of millions of dollars yearly and leaving it struggling.
Copyright Violations in Movies and Entertainment
Le Quang Tu Do, head of the Radio, Television, and Electronic Information Authority, says the copyright issue remains one of the biggest hurdles for Vietnam’s TV industry. A 2019 Tuổi Trẻ Online survey found that 85% of Vietnamese users opt for free pirate sites, a shocking figure for legal platforms like Netflix or VieON.
Notably, VTV—Vietnam’s biggest broadcaster—reported over 43,000 copyright violations on digital platforms in 2024, from movies to shows, highlighting the problem’s scale. Producers and legal OTT platforms lose revenue, making it harder to fund quality content. Viewers think they’re getting a deal with free access, but they’re actually hurting the entertainment industry they enjoy.
Football Copyright Issues on OTT
If movies are a goldmine for pirates, football is a copyright warzone in Vietnam. With a massive fanbase, leagues like the Premier League, Euro, and World Cup are prime targets. Dân Việt reported that Euro 2024 copyright breaches alone cost Vietnam $348 million in 2022. Over 70 illegal football sites racked up 1.5 billion views from 2022–2023, turning pricey matches into freebies.
Legal OTT platforms like K+ and FPT Play spend huge sums on exclusive rights, only to see matches illegally streamed on Facebook or shady apps moments after airing. TV360, which broadcast Euro 2024, teamed up with UEFA for technical and legal measures but couldn’t fully stop piracy. This devalues their investments and unwittingly involves fans in violations when they choose unofficial channels. Poor quality, ads, and malware risks are the trade-offs for taking the “shortcut.”
Related article: White Label OTT Platforms – The Best Solution for Media Businesses
Measures to Protect OTT Content Copyright
With copyright violations rampant, protecting content is critical to safeguard producers’ rights and maintain fair competition. Here are key measures OTT platforms use:
1. Using DRM (Digital Rights Management)
DRM (Digital Right Management) is a systematic copyrighted media content protection approach. It is a comprehensive system for managing online media content that protects unauthorized access and secures digital content distribution, promotion, and sale.
DRM prevents consumers from copying and converting content to other media formats and helps content owners enforce content access policies. The content owner determines these access policies and contains details on how the content is meant to be consumed.
2. Watermarking and Digital Fingerprinting
Watermarking embeds identifiers into content to trace leaks. Digital fingerprinting adds unique markers to files, aiding quick violation tracking and action.
3. Data Encryption and Access Control
Encrypting content during transmission and storage prevents unauthorized access. Advanced systems ensure only legit users can access the system and monitor for suspicious activity.
4. AI-Powered Monitoring and Analysis
OTT platforms increasingly use AI to spot copyright breaches online. AI detects violation patterns and speeds up responses, from warnings to reporting to authorities.
5. Collaboration with Authorities and Copyright Organizations
Teaming up with law enforcement and specialized groups helps tackle violations effectively, building a stricter legal environment to deter future breaches.
6. Strict Penalties and User Awareness
The 2023 amended Telecom Law tightens OTT oversight, with authorities blocking domains and heavily fining offenders. While piracy persists, these steps bolster digital content protection and improve viewer experiences.
Alongside tech, OTT platforms enforce clear penalties for violations and educate users on copyright’s value, fostering a healthier digital ecosystem.
These measures protect intellectual property and drive sustainable growth for Vietnam’s OTT industry, ensuring economic benefits and a commitment to content value in the digital era.
Conclusion
OTT services have ushered in a new entertainment era in Vietnam, but copyright remains a major hurdle. From rampant pirate sites streaming movies and football to losses in the hundreds of millions, violations threaten legal platforms like Netflix and K+—and even viewers’ experiences. Fortunately, tools like DRM, modern monitoring, and legal support are helping the OTT industry fight back, step by step restoring fairness.