Copyright Screen Rant
Major entertainment companies are uniting against a piracy threat that has grown too big to ignore. Streaming giants like Netflix, Disney, and Crunchyroll have joined Hollywood studios in a powerful lawsuit aimed at dismantling large-scale anime piracy. The case targets VidSrc, a service many illicit streaming sites rely on, and the battle could reshape how fans access anime online. This coordinated legal strike follows a September order that forced local internet providers in India to block 248 piracy domains, according to Torrent Freak. However, the situation is far from resolved. VidSrc and similar platforms continue to evade enforcement by shifting to new domain registrars, often outside the reach of the legal system. The fight is escalating, and so are the stakes for anime viewership worldwide. Hollywood Teams Up to Crush Anime Piracy Netflix US, Disney Enterprises, Apple Video Programming, Crunchyroll, Warner Bros., and major South Korean broadcasters are among the plaintiffs pushing for aggressive blocking measures. Their involvement signals that anime piracy is not a niche concern, it is a global revenue threat. If this lawsuit succeeds, it could significantly reduce the number of places fans can freely pirate anime without paying. VidSrc’s domain-hopping tactics demonstrate the growing complexity of the piracy world. The platform reportedly shifted to Russian-based domains to avoid compliance with Indian court orders, making the enforcement process even murkier. When piracy is able to regenerate faster than legal action can land, shutting it down becomes almost impossible. This challenge is why rightsholders call VidSrc a “hydra.” Even if one branch of the service gets cut off, others quickly emerge. Blocking one site can result in a dozen new domain names, each ready to serve the same pirated content with little interruption for users. The Fight Could Hit Anime Fans Hardest As piracy sites are forced to relocate and rebrand more frequently, fans may struggle to keep track of where to stream anime illegally. India, now one of the most aggressive site-blocking regions, could see the biggest shift. Casual viewers who rely on free access may find themselves with far fewer options, especially as popular portals disappear from search results. The lawsuit does not just aim to block piracy, as it also demands personal data from domain operators, including payment information and phone numbers. That level of pressure could discourage new pirate sites from emerging or force existing ones further underground. But critics argue that legal streaming still does not serve every type of anime viewer, especially those searching for older, rare, or region-locked titles. Still, the timing is intentional. With Crunchyroll leading the global anime boom and Netflix and Disney rapidly expanding their catalogs, companies have a stronger financial incentive than ever to funnel viewers toward paid platforms. As legal anime availability improves, they expect fans to transition away from piracy, whether by choice or by necessity.
