01 June 2023 – IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, alongside BAMP, representing music labels in Bulgaria, have together managed a successful blocking action against BitTorrent sites in the country.

The ruling, which was handed down by the Sofia City Court on the 31st May 2023, requires three ISPs in Bulgaria to block access to BitTorrent siteThe Pirate Bay, local site Zamunda and all subsequent mirror sites, sub-domains and proxy sites. The case has been coordinated by IFPI and filed by BAMP on behalf of its members and three member record companies of IFPI: Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.

Bulgaria joins 20 countries around the world who have already blocked The Pirate Bay, including 13 countries in the EU. Zamunda, a local BitTorrent site, has so far not been blocked in any other countries as Bulgaria accounts for 80% of traffic to the site. This decision will have a big impact on limiting piracy in the country going forward.

Frances Moore, Chief Executive of IFPI, said: “We welcome this decision and the impact it will have on limiting illegal access to music. Copyright infringement of any sort causes serious harm to local music ecosystems and directs money away from those creating and investing in music.”

Petya Totcharova, Executive Director of BAMP, said: “We welcome the Sofia City Court’s decision which will strengthen the recorded music industry’s fight against online music piracy. It is the first time a website blocking order has been granted in Bulgaria and we consider this precedent an important step in the right direction.”