Clear Sky partnership calls for global collaboration to overcome online piracy

NEW YORK, USA: The Clear Sky content partnership - a co-operative set up by leading Ukrainian media groups - has called for global collaboration and transparency in the fight against online piracy, urging participation by rights owners, global brands and content publishers alike.

Highlighting proactive anti-piracy measures ongoing in Ukraine, Russia, and other Eastern countries, Clear Sky - formed in July 2013 - is spearheading a campaign to develop a global market that is mutually beneficial for rights holders, users and online businesses.

Committed to fighting piracy in the Ukraine, the partnership believes the most effective route is to coordinate international efforts, advocating a raft of pan-international reviews to create watertight legislation and transparent practices.

Taking a more holistic, inclusive approach - involving rights owners, publishers, brands and consumers - to fighting online piracy, Clear Sky proposes combining industry self regulation; the introduction of more effective legislation; and the delivery of initiatives to encourage a change in consumer behaviour in Eastern countries.

Having identified two key areas that directly contribute to the growth in Ukraine's piracy problem, Clear Sky believes malpractice within global online advertising and the ambiguity surrounding the wider digital environment are key factors enabling piracy to flourish while undermining counter measures.

Keen to address the perception of Ukraine being a major perpetrator and incubator for online piracy, the partnership has demanded an urgent audit of the global online advertising practices of some of the world's largest brands in order to support its domestic efforts.