Although the huge number of Vietnamese viewers of online videos is expected to pave the way for OTT (over-the-top) service to further develop in the local market, such a service is still having difficulty competing with international online channels and others, heard a seminar on OTT on June 7 in HCMC.

A saleswoman searches for movies on the Internet at a Green Electronics store. A fall in the number of viewers on TV creates both opportunities and challenges for OTT service providers

Domestic OTT apps not only have to compete with international channels and video-sharing websites such as Youtube with 50 million Vietnamese subscribers, but also fight with each other to woo viewers, especially with OTT apps providing pirated videos.

The first barrier for OTT service providers is the rampant copyright infringements, said Ngo Thi Bich Hanh, CEO of BHD Co. Ltd.

Hanh said that films screened at a theater will be available on private websites without any agreement on copyright after just two weeks. Normally a month later, these films in the HD format will appear on these websites, while it takes at least three months for other formally-registered service providers to purchase copyrights of films and to upload such HD films, Hanh added.

She therefore suggested that relevant agencies and authorities take measures and tough sanctions against film copyright violations.

Bui Huy Nam, general director of Vietnam Television Cable Corporation, asked agencies and authorities to quickly take actions with tougher punishment.

Head of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information Nguyen Thanh Lam proposed three solutions, including a warning against publicity for copyright-violating websites, a ban on transferring money for Google advertising to these websites, and collaboration between network providers and agencies to prevent copyright violations.

However, there are many complicated problems to handle and punish violating websites, especially the gathering of evidence since State agencies cannot punish websites accused of piracy if foreign owners of such films do not sue the violators.

SGT