What is Nordic Content Protection?
Nordic Content Protection (NCP) is an industry association working to combat the illegal distribution of TV, film and sports content. Our work covers illegal IPTV, unauthorised streaming and other forms of unauthorised use and distribution of digital TV content.
For more than 20 years, NCP has supported the Nordic TV industry in protecting content and rights. We investigate illegal services and the actors behind them and take action on behalf of our members. Our work includes technical investigations, enforcement actions, criminal case investigations and cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
Our team combines extensive legal and investigative experience with technical expertise, including backgrounds in Nordic law enforcement. As a non-profit member organisation, NCP works independently and in close cooperation with rights holders, distributors, technology providers, authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
NCP brings together a large part of the Nordic TV industry. Our members include major broadcasters, distributors, streaming services and sports rights holders across the Nordic countries.
Illegal distribution of TV, film and sports
Illegal distribution of TV, film and sports takes many different forms. One of the most common is illegal IPTV, where TV channels, films, series and live sports are distributed without permission from those who own or hold the rights to distribute the content.
The illegal IPTV market is operated through organised criminal networks and generates significant revenue for the criminal economy.
NCP works to create the conditions for legal and other action against the criminal actors behind these services.
Illegal IPTV affects society as a whole
The actors behind illegal IPTV services use content that others have produced and financed without permission and resell it to customers who choose to pay for illegally distributed content.
The infrastructure behind illegal IPTV services is often located outside Nordic jurisdictions and entirely outside the control of rights holders. This creates a risk that broadcasts can be manipulated and that disinformation or other unauthorised content can be distributed directly to Nordic households using illegal IPTV services.
The consequences of illegal IPTV affect not only broadcasters and distributors, but the entire chain that finances and creates content, from production companies, filmmakers and other creators to sports clubs, leagues and other rights holders.
The illegal IPTV market generates substantial revenue for criminal actors, while sports clubs, rights holders and society lose legitimate revenue and tax income.
Combating illegal distribution is therefore not only about protecting individual rights holders. It is also about safeguarding a sustainable long-term market for the production, financing and distribution of quality content and countering the criminal economy.