The Aniwatch.to streaming website is the latest anime site on ACE’s radar.
The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) is a global anti-piracy organization that is responsible for shutting down hundreds of pirate streaming sites.
When it comes to Anime websites, IPTV services, streaming apps, and streaming websites, there are thousands of verified and unverified options to choose from.
We have no idea which streaming apps/sites hold the proper licensing for the content they broadcast, and we rely on reports from ACE like this one to better inform our visitors about the legality of streaming websites.
The Unexpected Move of Zoro.to
Zoro.to, a significant player in the anime streaming sector with over 200 million visits, surprised everyone when it was suddenly acquired and redirected to Aniwatch.to.
This maneuver occurred almost concurrently with the shutdown of 2Embed. Coincidence? Not quite.
Reports suggest that both 2Embed and Zoro.to were operated by the same individual.
After ACE’s intervention in Vietnam, this individual negotiated with the alliance, which explains why both platforms now direct users to ACE’s ‘Watch Legally’ page.
However, the strategy used by Zoro’s operators meant that its audience was effectively shifted to Aniwatch.to.
Emerging almost out of the blue, Aniwatch.to, with its whopping 277 million monthly visits as of August, is now one of the most prominent pirate platforms on the web.
The ACE vs. Aniwatch Saga Begins
Given Aniwatch’s meteoric rise, it was predictable that the site would come under ACE’s radar.
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The anti-piracy group is taking swift action; just last week, ACE members, via the MPA, requested multiple DMCA subpoenas in California. The goal?
To unmask the individuals behind Aniwatch.to and several other domains.
ACE’s subpoenas, targeting entities like Cloudflare and the Tonic domain registry, are comprehensive.
They’re seeking a plethora of information, ranging from names, IP addresses, payment details, and even account histories of the operators of these piracy platforms.
The Larger Picture
While Aniwatch is certainly in the spotlight, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Other platforms, such as Gogoanimehd.to, boasting 90 million visits last month, and Myflixerz.to, nearing 60 million, are also on ACE’s list.
This recent wave of subpoenas against such platforms isn’t an isolated incident but part of a grander strategy.
ACE is casting a wide net, targeting multiple domain names in its mission to curb piracy.
The Never-ending Battle?
The overarching narrative here is that, despite ACE’s relentless efforts, new pirate platforms continue to emerge.
It’s reminiscent of the classic game of whack-a-mole. Yet, rightsholders are optimistic. Their belief is that persistence, combined with strategic actions, will eventually reduce the appeal and reach of pirate platforms.
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Whether this will herald a decline in piracy or merely spur its evolution into different forms remains to be seen.
For now, all eyes are on Aniwatch and its peers as this story unfolds.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen notable streaming sites shut down by ACE and other anti-piracy authorities.
- USTVGO Shut Down by ACE
- Top Piracy Threats Reported to US Government
- Over 400 Streaming Sites Shut Down by BREIN
For more information on this story, you can see ACE’s DMCA subpoena or the report on TorrentFreak.
Legal Streaming Options
It’s impossible for IPTV Wire to determine whether unverified IPTV services, apps, websites, or add-ons hold the proper licensing.
If and when a streaming website is deemed illegal, we notify our users immediately and update reports on our website like this one to reflect that information.
In conclusion, the end-user is responsible for all content accessed through free streaming sites, apps, and paid services.
See our detailed guide below for more information on the legality of IPTV and everything you need to know before streaming.
For 100% verified and legal IPTV providers, see the options listed below:
fuboTV
fuboTV is one of the most popular paid legal IPTV providers among cord-cutters around the globe, especially sports fanatics.
The best part is fuboTV offers a 7-Day Free Trial for new users! This means you can try the service hassle-free.
This IPTV service offers three different plans with the most popular for $69.99/month for over 115 channels and DVR.
Philo
Philo is a solid option for those who enjoy entertainment and news channels. This service costs $20.00/month for over 60 channels and unlimited DVR.
Just like fuboTV, Philo also offers a 7-Day Free Trial for new users! This is a must-have feature when choosing any IPTV provider.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is another popular free and legal IPTV application used by millions of cord-cutters.
This free IPTV provider offers hundreds of live channels along with thousands of movies and TV shows.
Check out our Pluto TV guide below for more information.
