The battle against piracy on the internet has seen many stalwarts over the years, with The Pirate Bay often leading the charge. However, a more recent player, the IPTV service Magis TV, is now facing intense scrutiny. In a significant move, Argentine authorities have mandated the blocking of approximately 70 domains connected to Magis TV, signaling just the start of a larger initiative. The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has also targeted a similar number of domains, yet Magis TV remains operational, demonstrating its resilience in the face of adversity.
Last December, as the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and other stakeholders pushed for stricter site-blocking laws in the United States, the spotlight shone on Fmovies, which was once regarded as the largest illegal streaming site. Surprisingly, many legislators at the hearing were unfamiliar with Fmovies, and even fewer had heard of Magis TV, which has become a thorn in the side of both the MPA and ACE.
The Challenge of Magis TV
Operating primarily out of China, Magis TV primarily serves the Latin American market, where millions access its services through a popular, subscription-based Android application. Although cybersecurity firm ESET has flagged the app for being linked to malware and botnets, this has not deterred its widespread use.
On September 13, 2024, an official order was issued in Argentina requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block multiple domains associated with Magis TV, citing violations of intellectual property laws. The telecommunications authority, ENACOM, is responsible for executing these blocks. The order spans four pages, largely listing these domains, and reveals a chaotic structure that suggests operators are not receiving clear guidance from Magis TV’s owners.
Complexity in Enforcement
Some of the blocked domains aim to attract potential resellers, indicating possible connections to Magis TV, while others may simply be independent entities selling subscriptions. This complexity complicates enforcement efforts. While a total of 69 domains are set to be blocked, it remains to be seen how effective this will be in limiting access to the service.
For at least two years, ACE has focused on addressing the Magis TV issue. In the summer of 2022, they initiated a series of DMCA subpoenas aimed at identifying the operators behind numerous illegal streaming sites, including Magis TV. In November, a subpoena was also sent to Zenlayer for further information. Although the results of these efforts remain unclear, ACE has managed to take control of numerous domains linked to Magis TV, with many now redirecting to their anti-piracy portal.
A Wider Issue
According to an ACE report, the Magis TV situation reflects a broader piracy issue across Latin America. By the end of 2023, approximately 50 websites associated with Magis TV had been taken down in various countries, including Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela, eventually reaching the United States. However, ACE estimates that Magis TV and its affiliates control more than 370 websites, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge.
In Ecuador, where measures against piracy have been in place since 2019, there has been a recent uptick in efforts to block Magis TV, including the addition of 183 new IP addresses to the blocklist. The country has also implemented dynamic blocking, allowing rights holders to add new targets without needing court approval. Meanwhile, Bolivia has been issuing warnings directly to users of illegal streaming services since mid-2022.
Despite the ongoing efforts to block access in Peru and other regions, the ease with which new domains can be created means that those operating these services remain perpetually one step ahead. ACE continues to apply pressure with new DMCA subpoenas, indicating a long-term commitment to tackling this issue at its roots. However, if Magis TV’s operations are indeed based in China, overcoming the challenges involved may not be straightforward.
The domains listed for blocking in the Argentinian order read as follows:
magistv-la.com, magistv.net, tvmagis.pro, magistv-app.net, magistv.video, magistvplus.com, magistv.app, tvmagis.com, magistvonline.com, magis123.com, magistv.film, magistvoficial.net, magistviptv.com, magistv.live, magistvlatin.com, magistvlatino.es, fullmagistv.com, magistvv.com – redirects to > tvsnipers.com, magistv-ecuador.com, magistv.agency, soportemagistv.com, panelmagistv.com, magistvstream.net, magistvmas.com, magistv-venezuela.com, comprarmagistv.app, magistv.ai, descarga-magistv.com, magispro.com, magistvgo.com, magislatamtv.net, magistvecuador.app, magistvinternational.com, magiscr.org, magistv.mx, magistvmexico.net, oficialmagistv.com, magistv.so – redirects to > magistv.film, magistvapk.app – redirects to> magis-tv.vip, comprarmagistv.com, magistvmex.com, magisapp.app, magistvperu.org, magistvusa.net, magistvoficial.com, magistv-app.net, renovarmagistv.net, panelmagistv.net, magistvgratis.com, magistvpty.com, getmagistv.com, magistve.com, magistvoficial.org, magistvpc.com, magistv.la, magistv.club, tvmagis.pro, magistv.stream, magis.com.ec, magistvtv.com, planesmagistv.com, magistvpremium.com, magistv-latino.net, magistvhn.com, magistvplus.com.co, magisapk.com, magis-cr.com, magistvoficialchile.com, magistvapp.app
To our knowledge, ACE has shut down at minimum the following domains:
magistvgroup.com, magistv.global, magistv.org.pe, magistvnicaragua.com, magistvperu.com, magistvusa.com, magistvapk.com, magistvecuador.com, magistvlatino.app, magistvdemo.com, magistvargentina.com, magistvrepublicadominicana.com, magistvchile.com, magistvpanama.com, magistvfacil.com, magistvbrasil.com, magisglobal.net, magistvcostarica.com, magistvpuertorico.com, magistvmexico.com, magistvuruguay.com, magistvglobal.com, magistvoficial.vip, magistvparaguay.com, magistvbolivia.com, magistvcolombia.com, bolivia.magistvgroup.com, cuba.magistvgroup.com, colombia.magistvgroup.com, argentina.magistvgroup.com, magistvfull.com, magistv.biz, magistv.services, magistv.solutions, magistv.fyi, magistv.us, magistvoficial.online, magistv.group, magistv.social, magistvoficial.digital, magist.vg, magistvvenezuela.com, magistv.es, magistvglobal.co, magistv.place, magistvrepublishedadomenica.com, magistv.store, magistv.asia, magistvoficial.services, magistv.life, magistvoficial.info
