South Korean authorities are toughening up guard against property rights of K-pop and other contents amid increasing infringement and blatant copying and distribution of Korean programs.

The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) said Tuesday it has formed a standing committee to keep watch over illegal copying and distribution of copyrighted works by websites, which have servers overseas. The copyright watchdog cracked down and sealed 2,338 piracy sites last year, compared with 50 in 2015.

The new committee will keep around-the-clock watch to respond quickly and strongly against piracies, the commission said.

Alternative created with new URLs after a site was closed down will be scrutinized for four days, and actions will taken against illegal copying reported by right holders four days after review.

The KCSC plans to simplify the procedures of reporting on infringements to quicken actions to stop piracies.

By Shin Chan-ok and Lee Ha-yeon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]