For a long time, China has been known as a country where piracy thrived. Watching movies online used to be quite rare just a few years ago. However, with the growing awareness of intellectual property rights and stricter laws, the legal streaming of movies and TV shows has become an inevitable trend. Over the past few years, as part of the effort to combat piracy, there have been numerous crackdowns on illegal content, significantly impacting China's online ecosystem.
Today, let's take a look back at some of the major events that led to significant changes in the way online films and TV shows were distributed. Do you remember these pivotal moments?
One of the earliest names associated with online piracy was BTChina. Known for being one of the most popular sites for downloading BT resources, BTChina was often seen as a symbol of internet use in its prime. The site offered a wide range of video content, including variety shows, Korean dramas, Japanese anime, and international films—all of which were typically unlicensed. In December 2009, BTChina was shut down due to operating without proper licenses for audiovisual programs. Authorities stated that any site violating regulations, regardless of whether it held a license, would face consequences if engaging in activities like infringement or distributing illegal content.
In addition to BTChina, several other BT download platforms, such as Eden and Yo-Yo, along with many BT Tracker servers, were either shut down or voluntarily closed around the same time. This effectively killed off a lot of torrents, leaving users scrambling for alternatives. The closure of BTChina marked a turning point, making it clear that freely available copyrighted content was no longer an option.
Another major player in the world of online resources was VeryCD. While BTChina focused on BT downloads, VeryCD specialized in eD2k resources. Through its introduction of eMule to China and subsequent modifications, VeryCD became synonymous with easy access to pirated materials. Despite multiple closures following BTChina's shutdown in 2009, VeryCD eventually pivoted entirely away from offering pirated content. Instead, it transformed into an online community and began generating revenue through ad placements. Although VeryCD survives today as a platform, the era of it being a hub for pirated eD2k files is over.
For fans of American series, the platform "Everyone" was particularly well-known. Originally starting as a fan-based subtitle group, Everyone expanded to include downloadable pirated foreign TV shows. Its organized approach made it popular among drama enthusiasts. During World Property Day in April 2013, Everyone announced temporary closure. By late 2014, authorities confiscated several servers, leading to the official shutdown. However, rather than disappearing completely, Everyone transitioned into a discussion forum about TV shows, abandoning its previous reliance on piracy.
Similarly, shadowy corners of the internet like the Anime torrent site, which catered heavily to ACG (anime, comics, and game) enthusiasts, faced similar fates. Domestic availability of legitimate anime slowly replaced the need for pirated downloads. When the shadow site abruptly shut down at the end of 2014, it marked another step towards legitimizing content consumption online.
Cloud storage services also played a significant role in distributing pirated material, especially after adding offline download features. Campaigns like "Save the Yellow, Non-Net and Net 2014" prompted crackdowns, with platforms like 115 Cloud Disk disabling sharing functions and Baidu Cloud replacing illegal videos with educational ones. By 2015, actions like the "Clean Web 2015" initiative further pressured companies to cease operations. Platforms such as Kingsoft Fast Disk and 360 Cloud Disk voluntarily suspended services, though traces of piracy remain. Continued enforcement suggests complete eradication is likely.
Lastly, sites like AcFun and Bilibili (A and B stations), which were hubs for viewing pirated videos, underwent major changes. While A station removed all film and TV content, B station retained more of its original offerings but still reviewed videos for compliance with copyright laws. These moves reflect broader trends toward legal content distribution across major platforms.
As the internet evolves, China continues to make strides in protecting digital copyrights. Formal sites now offer licensed content, ensuring higher-quality translations and timely updates. Such developments enhance user experiences while encouraging creativity. Legalization of online media represents an unstoppable trend. Here's hoping China continues fostering innovation and producing exceptional影视works.
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