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SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s National Assembly has taken decisive legislative action against widespread digital piracy and pervasive ticket scalping, approving key amendments that introduce punitive fines and strengthen government enforcement powers. On November 28, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee (CSTC) passed several significant bills, including the "Ticket Scalping Prevention Act," which levies fines up to 50 times the original ticket price, and the so-called "Noonoo TV Blocking Act," designed to immediately counter illegal streaming services.
Drastic Fines Approved to Combat Ticket Scalping
The rising phenomenon of “dark tickets” (암표), where organized individuals or bots buy up tickets for popular events like K-pop concerts, musicals, and major sporting events only to resell them at inflated prices, has long frustrated the public and damaged the culture industry.
To curb this activity, the CSTC approved revisions to the Performance Act and the National Sports Promotion Act. The key provisions of the newly approved legislation include:
Prohibition of Illegal Sales: The amendment strictly prohibits the unauthorized purchase and resale of admission tickets.
Punitive Fines: Individuals engaging in the illicit resale of tickets will be subject to punitive surcharges (과징금) of up to 50 times the original ticket price. This severe financial penalty is intended to eliminate the profit incentive that drives large-scale scalping operations.
Confiscation of Profits: Any profits derived from illegal ticket sales can be confiscated or reclaimed by the state through collection proceedings.
Whistleblower Incentives: The law also includes a provision to incentivize reporting by allowing for rewards to be paid to individuals who report illegal ticket purchasing and selling activities.
This legislative move represents a significant shift from previous, weaker penalties, establishing a truly deterrent measure against professional scalpers who often use sophisticated bots and multiple identities to corner the market.
'Noonoo TV Blocking Act' Targets Digital Piracy
In parallel with the anti-scalping efforts, the CSTC also passed a critical amendment to the Copyright Act, commonly dubbed the "Noonoo TV Blocking Act," named after a notoriously large-scale illegal streaming site that previously operated with impunity, causing massive losses to content creators.
This amendment significantly enhances the government's ability to combat digital piracy:
Direct Blocking Authority: The Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is now empowered to take immediate action to block access to websites that distribute illegally duplicated materials, including videos, films, and webtoons. This gives the Ministry a quicker, more decisive tool to shut down pirate operations without lengthy court procedures.
Fivefold Punitive Damages: The bill introduces a system of punitive damages for copyright infringement, allowing victims to seek compensation of up to five times the actual damages incurred. This measure moves beyond simple compensatory damages, aiming to severely penalize repeat or malicious infringers and deter corporate piracy.
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A New Era for Content Protection
The passage of these bills marks a legislative victory for artists, event organizers, and content producers who have suffered substantial financial harm due to rampant illegal activity. While the "Ticket Scalping Prevention Act" aims to restore fair access to cultural events, the "Noonoo TV Blocking Act" provides essential legal firepower to protect the intellectual property that fuels South Korea’s globally influential cultural industry. Both acts signify the government's commitment to creating a fair and secure environment for both consumers and creators.
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