Andrius Katinas, Head of the Business Supervision Division at the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (RTCL), notes that although the scale of illegal content distribution in Lithuania has decreased, piracy remains a significant problem.

According to him, more than 700 IP addresses and 250 pirated domain names have been blocked this year alone. Television channels, series, and films remain the most frequently stolen content.

Katinas stresses that viewers themselves often suffer when using illegal services, facing risks such as data theft, fraud, or even blackmail. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture warns that accessing pirated content may also result in criminal liability.

Consumers Often Become Victims

Katinas explains that users of illegal streaming services may experience various forms of harm. In many cases, once people realise they have acted unlawfully, they are reluctant to contact law enforcement authorities. As a result, the true scale of piracy-related damage remains unknown.

“The main risks to consumers include the collection, leakage, and sale of personal data, unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts, the installation of malicious software, and hacking of social media accounts, personal computers, and other information systems. These risks are usually interconnected and often occur one after another,” Katinas said.

He added that such incidents happen constantly, though many are never reported.

“Individuals who lose access to personal or work accounts may receive offers to buy them back, threats to publish compromising information, or other forms of manipulation. The RTCL also receives complaints about automatic charges for services that people never ordered. In such cases, we always recommend contacting your bank immediately to stop the payments,” he advised.

Katinas also warned that when users register on pirate websites, administrators may gain access to sensitive information, including IP addresses, location data, internet service providers, and other personal details provided during registration.

The Greatest Danger Is Lack of Awareness

Experts emphasize that public awareness remains limited, and some users do not fully understand that they are engaging in illegal activity.

RTCL Chairman PhD. Mantas Martišius points out that pirate websites may appear legitimate, especially when they charge users for access.

“It is worth recalling one of Lithuania’s largest illegal websites, filmai.in, registered in 2009. Users had to create profiles, collect points, and pay for certain films. Some genuinely believed they were not pirating because they were simply purchasing content at a lower price than from official providers,” Martišius said.

He also cited another case in which an individual retransmitted a television signal and sold access to Lithuanians living abroad in Ireland, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

“No royalties were paid to copyright holders or broadcasters, yet viewers paid intermediaries for stolen content,” he added.

Ministry: Piracy Is Equivalent to Theft

Živilė Plyčiuraitytė Plyčiūtė, an adviser at the Ministry of Culture’s Public Information and Copyright Policy Group, agrees that piracy is not always perceived as a legal violation.

She noted that young people often justify illegal access by claiming they cannot afford legal services.

“It is important to understand that piracy on the internet is punishable in the same way as any other offence or theft. Lithuania has a Law on Copyright and Related Rights, as well as Criminal and Administrative Codes, under which offenders may be held liable,” she said.

Progress Has Been Made, but Challenges Remain

According to Martišius, data from a British study shows that piracy in Lithuania has decreased significantly, due to a combination of factors.

“The decline in piracy is driven by several developments. First, the economic situation in Lithuania is improving, meaning people are more willing to spend on entertainment. Second, the supply of legal content has expanded, with both local and international platforms offering accessible alternatives. Finally, enforcement efforts remain active, and we work with various organisations to prevent illegal distribution and protect copyrights,” he said.

Plyčiuraitytė Plyčiūtė added that Lithuania uses the full range of legal tools to combat piracy and actively participates in international anti-piracy organisations.

“At international meetings, we see that Lithuania is performing quite well in the European context. However, piracy is a complex issue, and a variety of measures are needed. Since illegal content is most often chosen by young people, economic and social factors must also be taken into account,” she noted.