Kakao Entertainment has taken significant steps to combat piracy in the webtoon and web novel sectors, launching a focused initiative through its anti-piracy division, P.CoK (Protecting the Content of Kakao Entertainment). Recently, the organization conducted an interview with a representative from Reaper Scans, a prominent piracy site that was taken down following Kakao Entertainment’s directives. This interview forms part of Kakao’s comprehensive whitepaper, which highlights the company’s ongoing efforts and obstacles in fighting against piracy.
During the interview, a translator from Reaper Scans shared insights into the motivations behind fan translations of webtoons and web novels. The conversation touched upon the limited availability of officially localized content and the subpar quality of existing translations. Kakao Entertainment sought to understand the community-building aspects that Reaper Scans had fostered, the reasoning behind their choice of stories, the legal implications of their activities, and the steps necessary to effectively eradicate piracy from the digital landscape.
In addition to the interview with Reaper Scans, the whitepaper features commentary from a copyright attorney who advocates for a more aggressive approach to tackling piracy. The attorney suggests that Korea should target overseas Content Delivery Network (CDN) providers and implement a dynamic injunction system. This system would enable swift actions against illegal websites and their numerous clones, streamlining the process of adding these sites to a blocklist. Such measures are not unique to Korea; they are also being discussed in the United States, particularly through Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s proposed Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act (FADPA).
The whitepaper also delves into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in anti-piracy efforts. Kakao Entertainment is exploring AI tools similar to those currently being developed in Japan, which aim to effectively monitor and combat piracy. A significant focus of these discussions is on how to promote the original creators of stories, thereby fostering stronger relationships between fans and the legal sources of their favorite content. This approach is designed to encourage legal consumption of webtoons and web novels, thereby reducing reliance on piracy.
Another key element in the fight against piracy discussed in the whitepaper is the collaboration with international agencies. The document features insights from Hong Sung-jin, an Interpol investigator recognized for his achievements in copyright protection. He has publicly committed to ensuring that those who engage in piracy face consequences for their actions, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in this endeavor.
Additionally, the whitepaper reveals that Kakao Entertainment has utilized information from undercover informants as part of its strategy to identify and shut down piracy websites. The use of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) methods has proven to be a crucial component in their efforts to combat online piracy. OSINT enables the company to gather valuable information and insights that facilitate the identification of illegal sites, while also coordinating with white hat hackers to strengthen their anti-piracy measures.
Prior to its shutdown on May 9, 2025, Reaper Scans experienced significant traffic, with nearly 37 million visits recorded within a three-month period. This statistic underscores the scale of the piracy issue facing the webtoon and web novel industries. Kakao Entertainment, as one of Korea’s leading publishers in these sectors, has made it a priority to protect its intellectual property. In the first half of 2025 alone, the company successfully shut down seven webtoon piracy sites and four web novel piracy sites.
The whitepaper serves not only as a report on Kakao Entertainment’s achievements but also as a call to action for stakeholders in the creative industries. By sharing their experiences and strategies, Kakao aims to foster a broader understanding of the challenges posed by digital piracy and the necessity for a united front in addressing these issues. The insights provided in the whitepaper are intended to inform other creators, publishers, and industry stakeholders about effective practices and collaborative efforts that can be employed to safeguard content.
In conclusion, Kakao Entertainment’s proactive measures against piracy reflect a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive strategies to protect creative works in the digital age. The combination of legal action, technological innovation, and community engagement represents a multifaceted approach to combating piracy in the webtoon and web novel sectors. As the industry continues to evolve, the lessons learned from these initiatives will be invaluable in shaping future efforts to ensure that creators are compensated for their work while providing fans with access to high-quality, legally distributed content.