Togo strengthens its protection of works with the launch of the Hermes application
This Tuesday, January 9, the High Authority of Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) of Togo unveiled a new initiative aimed at protecting the rights of holders and restricting the dissemination of illicit content online. This measure comes as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to ensure the security of audiovisual content and prevent financial losses for rights holders.
The key application at the heart of this strategy is named Hermes, and it will be used to block websites that broadcast illicit content. The main objective of this initiative is to safeguard the rights of creators and protect the financial interests of rights holders in the electronic media sector.
The HAAC, as the body responsible for press freedom and protection, oversees this ambitious project. According to its representatives, the Hermes application will act as a barrier against online piracy, ensuring the protection of audiovisual works and associated activities.
In practical terms, the process of blocking illicit sites involves the collaboration of four key actors : HAAC, rights holders, internet service providers, and the content protection specialist operator, Nagra.
Rights holders will need to submit a request for blocking authorization to HAAC. Once this authorization is obtained, the process will be initiated by the Nagra operator, which will use a robot to search and identify pirate sites broadcasting illicit content.
It is worth noting that this initiative is part of the legal framework for electronic media established by Togo since 2018. This legislation aims to regulate and secure the activities of electronic media in the country, demonstrating the government’s ongoing commitment to protecting the rights and interests of industry stakeholders.
