A group that made a fortune by running so-called binge-watching YouTube channels that summarize unauthorized content, including movies and dramas right up to their endings, has been sent to the prosecution.

The Yangsan Police Station in Gyeongsangnam-do announced today (the 31st) that it has forwarded eight individuals, including the representative of a YouTube channel, identified as A, and staff members, along with one corporate entity, to the prosecution without detention on charges of violating the Copyright Act.

A and the others are accused of making 3.745 billion won in illicit profits by uploading content such as films and dramas without permission from copyright holders across 26 YouTube channels from 2019 until last April.

A initially operated the illegal business alone in 2019 before establishing a corporation in 2023, organizing writing and editing teams as well as a management support team to systematically expand the business.

They generated profits by condensing original works, which typically run about 60 minutes long, into approximately 10 to 15-minute clips introducing the content.

Among the videos produced in this manner, some reached as many as 6.3 million views.

When their channels were blocked due to copyright infringement reports, A and the others continued their illegal activities by re-uploading the videos to alternative channels.

Having launched an investigation following reports from content production companies, the police cross-verified bank account deposit details under the corporate name secured through an office search and seizure along with internal company settlement documents. They have applied for pre-indictment asset preservation for the ill-gotten gains to the prosecution.

A police official stated, "Copyright infringement crimes that acquire unfair profits by unauthorized processing and distribution of content are occurring frequently," adding, "We will continue to respond strictly to organized and habitual intellectual property infringement acts."

(Photo: Yonhap News)