According to information received by CODA, the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office has concluded its investigation and formally charged a total of 12 individuals involved in the coordinated sale of illicit streaming devices (ISD) known as “小雲機上盒.” These individuals were arrested and sent to prosecutors following multiple simultaneous raids conducted by the Intellectual Property Rights Infringement Squad, Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB), National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior since August 2023. Following this, on October 20, 2025, the CIB held a press conference at the Criminal Investigation Bureau headquarters regarding the case.
This matter involved criminal complaints filed by 15 local satellite television broadcasters in Taiwan, alongside a request for CODA’s cooperation from Taiwanese investigative authorities. With help from CODA’s member companies, CODA confirmed the infringement of Japanese television programs, and the member companies filed criminal complaints accordingly.
The Intellectual Property Rights Infringement Squad deployed several teams and conducted simultaneous raids in multiple locations, including Taoyuan District in Taoyuan City, Xitun District and Nanh District in Taichung City, and Zhonghe District in New Taipei City, between August 2023, August 2024, and April 2025. A total of 12 suspects were arrested, and 931 pieces of evidence were seized, including four desktop computers, one laptop, seven mobile phones, and 455 ISDs. Investigations revealed the suspects sold approximately 8,000 ISDs, generating illicit profits estimated at around NT$24 million (approximately ¥120 million as of October 2025). The total estimated damage to victims amounts to approximately NT$1.1 billion (approximately ¥5.42 billion). It was also revealed that the group had organized a division of labor for roles such as import, sales, and technical support, and conducted extensive sales online to make tracking difficult. Furthermore, it was confirmed that they had established a group on social media and posted instructions on how to use illegal applications made for the ISDs.
In response to this incident, the CIB warned consumers of complicity in copyright infringement by viewing content on ISDs and illegal apps.
CODA will follow the case and upcoming criminal trial, and continue to work closely with the Taiwanese authorities to protect Japanese content.
Note that this activity was part of a project commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
■ Related Release from the Time of Arrest:
Taiwan: Criminal bust of illegal TV viewing app and Illicit Streaming Device; total of 11 operators arrested in two cases https://coda-cj.jp/en/news/371/
About CODA
CODA (Content Overseas Distribution Association) was established in 2002 at the call of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Agency for Cultural Affairs to promote the overseas development of Japanese content and take anti-piracy measures. Japan’s proud content, including music, movies, anime, broadcast programs, video games, and publishing, plays an important role in enhancing the nation’s international presence and economic growth. As digital technology becomes more widespread, it is even more significant to protect Japan’s content from increasingly artful copyright infringement and promote the content industry’s development. CODA contributes to the deterrence and detection of online and other piracy, by sharing knowledge with relevant government agencies, organizations, and companies in Japan and abroad, to engage in direct and indirect anti-piracy measures, as well as public relations activities. Visit https://coda-cj.jp/en/activity/ for more information on CODA’s projects.