OSN and Dubai Customs combat piracy with VR game

OSN and Dubai Customs have launched a content protection virtual reality (VR) game at KidZania Dubai, to boost awareness of the threats of content theft.

The 60-second game, called ‘Copycat Combat,’ is a collaboration between OSN and Dubai Customs, who have worked previously in combating the import of illegal satellite and IPTV devices as well as championed intellectual property rights (IPR.)

Copycat Combat is aimed at children between the ages of 5 and 12 and will be available to play at mall stands and other public spaces across the region managed by OSN. The game will also be toured in UAE schools by Dubai Customs as part of its ongoing educational initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of protecting IPR.

In ‘matrix-style’ world content thieves zap OSN’s collection of movies, TV series, kids shows and sports events with powerful lazer rays. The game player must ‘shield’ the collection with armoured gloves during an assault that requires fast reflexes and accuracy.

Commenting on the choice of medium and target audience, Sophie Moloney, Chief Legal Officer, OSN, stated: “This is super exciting for us at OSN, to be first in the world to launch a content protection game that helps children to understand the massive threats that the entertainment industry faces from content theft. What’s more, the game is a lot of fun and children can hopefully come away with the thought that content is really precious and worth protecting.”

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, said: “This initiative uses virtual reality and is based on the latest advanced applications in the field. The result is Copycat Combat, which will not only raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property but will also help kids innovate.”

Conservative estimates put the loss of revenue to the entertainment industries in the MENA as being between $500m and $1.2bn per year owing to content theft.