In a major step against online piracy and illegal copyright distribution, U.S. law enforcement has partnered with Bulgarian authorities to dismantle three of the largest piracy websites operating in the European Union. The coordinated operation targeted platforms that allegedly provided unauthorized access to thousands of copyrighted movies, television shows, video games, software, and other digital content.
The U.S. government executed seizure warrants against three U.S.-registered internet domains that were reportedly operated from Bulgaria. These domains — zamunda.net, arenabg.com, and zelka.org — were among the most heavily visited piracy services in the region.
This action highlights growing international cooperation in tackling copyright infringement and protecting intellectual property rights worldwide.
Crackdown Targets Large-Scale Online Piracy Networks
According to U.S. authorities, the seized websites were allegedly engaged in the illegal distribution of copyrighted works on a massive scale. These platforms offered users access to unauthorized copies of content, including many works owned by U.S. companies and creators.
The operation focused on online services that allowed millions of downloads of copyrighted material, contributing to significant financial losses for the entertainment, software, and publishing industries.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that willful copyright infringement is a crime, and such piracy networks often operate as commercial enterprises rather than casual file-sharing platforms.
Tens of Millions of Visits and Millions in Losses
Court affidavits supporting the seizure warrants reveal the enormous scale of the piracy activity linked to these domains.
The three websites reportedly:
- Received tens of millions of visits annually
- Offered thousands of infringed works without authorization
- Generated millions of illegal downloads
- Caused retail losses totaling millions of dollars
One of the domains was frequently ranked among the top 10 most visited websites in Bulgaria, highlighting how deeply embedded these piracy platforms were in the country’s online ecosystem.
Authorities also noted that the websites appeared to generate substantial revenue through online advertisements, making piracy not only a copyright issue but also a profitable criminal business model.
Seized Domains Now Under U.S. Government Custody
The domains are now in the custody of the United States government. Visitors attempting to access the sites will instead see an official seizure banner.
The notice informs users that:
- Federal authorities have seized the domain names
- Copyright infringement is a serious criminal offense
- The websites are no longer operational
The seizure of these domains represents a significant disruption of piracy infrastructure and sends a clear warning to operators running similar illegal platforms.
Strong Cooperation Between U.S., Bulgaria, and Europol
The Justice Department credited Bulgarian law enforcement agencies for their critical support in the takedown.
Key Bulgarian partners included:
- The National Investigative Service
- The Ministry of the Interior’s General Directorate Combating Organized Crime
- The State Agency for National Security
- The Prosecutor’s Office
On the U.S. side, the operation involved:
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office
- The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center)
The Justice Department also acknowledged the important coordination role played by Europol, along with technical support from the HSI Athens office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Sofia.
This case demonstrates how international partnerships are becoming essential in fighting cross-border cybercrime and piracy.
Role of ICHIP Program in Global Cybercrime Support
The Justice Department noted that it continues to provide intellectual property and cybercrime assistance to foreign partners through the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program.
This program helps strengthen global law enforcement capabilities in areas such as:
- Cybercrime investigations
- Digital piracy enforcement
- Intellectual property protection
- Prosecutorial and judicial cooperation
The ICHIP initiative is jointly administered through OPDAT and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State.
IPR Center Remains Key Weapon Against Digital Piracy
The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) plays a central role in combating criminal piracy and counterfeiting.
By bringing together expertise from multiple agencies, the IPR Center works to:
- Share intelligence on IP theft
- Coordinate enforcement actions
- Protect the U.S. economy and consumers
- Support investigations into digital piracy networks
Authorities encourage individuals and businesses to report suspected IP theft through the official IPR Center website.
Investigation Ongoing
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of HSI New Orleans.
Homeland Security Investigations has confirmed that the matter remains under active investigation.
With the takedown of these major piracy sites, U.S. and Bulgarian authorities have delivered one of the strongest blows yet against online copyright infringement in the European Union.
