MAM
IBC 2019: Synamedia unveils new solutions and services to combat piracy
MUMBAI: At IBC 2019, Synamedia, the world’s largest independent video software provider, will unveil enhancements to its security portfolio that help combat the evolving threat from hyper-distributed piracy in the age of infinite entertainment.
Synamedia’s Streaming Piracy Disruption managed service features a single workflow across both broadcast and IP streaming for easy and comprehensive security management on any distribution and delivery network. Also new is the ability to disrupt leaks immediately without waiting for third-party takedown. Synamedia also offers an effective way for its Infinite customers to convert viewers of pirated content to legitimate subscribers by replacing basic takedown warnings with notices that encourage viewers to sign up, resulting in new revenue streams.
“Often, consumers are unaware of what constitutes an infringement, and will see their video provider in a much more positive light if offered the carrot of a legal alternative, rather than a stick in the form of a shutdown,” said Steve Hawley, Managing Director of Piracy Monitor.
Another highlight from Synamedia will be Intelligent Piracy Monitor for Streaming Piracy Disruption customers. Unlike other analytics services that only use standard web site crawling techniques, Synamedia offers deeper intelligence about piracy from its world-class Operational Security (OpSec team). This gives customers a detailed analysis of the nature and scale of the problem and the impact of anti-piracy initiatives.
Also new from Synamedia’s OpSec team is an anti-piracy service for any content owner wishing to deepen its understanding of pirates’ activities. This new service leverages significant investment in Synamedia’s forensics lab with a focus on reverse engineering, as well as an expanded team that comprises psychology and criminology experts working alongside engineers, intelligence analysts, cyber- and field-investigators.
Synamedia is also unveiling enhancements to its award-winning Credentials Sharing Insight, which helps combat both casual and for-profit credentials sharing and turn casual account sharing into incremental revenues. New security responses for compromised accounts are tailored differently for the account owner and the accounts sharers.
At IBC, Synamedia will also highlight its platform-agnostic approach by showcasing deployments on RDK, Android TV and Synamedia Evo. Synamedia has pre-integrated its security software into set-top boxes from Android TV ecosystem partners including Sagemcom and Arris, helping customers accelerate their time to market. Synamedia’s security software is also deployed on Vodafone Deutschland’s GigaTV service running on RDK devices, and on its Evo platform at a large number of customers worldwide.
“Our holistic view of the ever changing piracy threat ensures our products and every customer deployment has security hard wired into it, benefitting from our technology leadership and insight gleaned by our top notch OpSec team” said Jean-Marc Racine, chief product officer, Synamedia. “The next chapter in our battle with piracy is to double down on our efforts to ensure the entire video ecosystem works together to reduce consumer confidence in pirated services so demand falls away fast.”
Synamedia’s VP Intelligence and Security Operations, Avigail Gutman, will be speaking on the topic of ‘Protecting Content Distribution’ at the IBC Cyber Security Forum on Thursday, 12th September at 15:00.
Orly Amsalem, Senior Product Manager, Security, Synamedia will be on an IBC Content Everywhere hub panel ‘Securing content to protect revenues and the eco-system’ on Tuesday, 17th September at 11:00.
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Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
