The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has successfully taken down MovieBox.ng, a notorious website known for streaming pirated films, music, and live sports content.
The shutdown, which took effect on July 20, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the NCC’s intensified campaign against online piracy.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the NCC Director-General, Dr. John Asein, described the development as a critical step forward in protecting Nigeria’s creative industry from digital copyright violations.
“MovieBox.ng was part of a larger, coordinated network using fallback and clone domains to evade detection and illegally distribute copyrighted materials,” Dr. Asein said. “They use multiple mirror domains to promote pirated content, many of which have been linked to known piracy operations.”
The takedown has been welcomed by stakeholders across Nigeria’s film, music, and broadcasting industries, who have long suffered revenue losses due to widespread online piracy.
Dr. Asein further disclosed that the Commission is actively tracking other mirror sites connected to MovieBox.ng and will work to ensure these are also deactivated to prevent the platform from re-emerging under different domain names.
The NCC also commended NiRA for its prompt action in suspending the domain and urged other internet stakeholders — including service providers and platform intermediaries — to respond swiftly to takedown requests in accordance with the Copyright Act of 2022.
“The role of internet stakeholders is crucial in enforcing copyright laws in the digital environment,” Asein stated, adding that collaboration remains essential in the fight against digital piracy.
Piracy remains a major challenge for Nigeria’s creative industry. According to UNESCO, an estimated 50% to 70% of revenue in Nigeria’s film sector is lost to piracy annually. This loss not only affects producers and artistes, but also discourages local and foreign investments.
Beyond websites like MovieBox.ng, the NCC noted that piracy is increasingly being perpetrated through encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram. Due to its large file-sharing capabilities, user anonymity, and ease of forming communities, Telegram has become a popular tool for distributing pirated content.
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