June 16, 2026, TORONTO: The Federal Court of Canada has issued a landmark, first-ever-in-Canada website blocking order against operators of websites that actively enable stream ripping \u2014 the unauthorized copying of music from legitimate, licensed, streaming services. \u00a0 This is also the first site blocking order issued on behalf of the Canadian music industry.<\/p>\n
Stream ripping is one of the most widespread forms of music piracy today. It cuts artists out of the royalties they\u2019ve earned by siphoning listeners away from legitimate streaming services, and it directly threatens the foundation of Canada\u2019s music marketplace, as online streaming now drives more than 75% of recorded music revenue in Canada.<\/p>\n
The order was issued in response to an action by Music Canada on behalf of its members, Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada, and Warner Music Canada, to protect the music of their artists and the health of the wider licensed, legitimate streaming marketplace.<\/p>\n
The Canadian operations of three leading operators of websites that each actively enable stream ripping are blocked by the dynamic order, meaning that if the sites change domains or IP addresses in an attempt to evade the block, those variants can also be blocked.<\/p>\n
This important outcome follows successful cease and desist notices from Music Canada that closed or blocked four different sites operated by three different stream ripping services \u2014 including the most popular stream ripping site in Canada, which had been recording upwards of 1.7 million monthly visits \u2014 and follow up notices that closed multiple additional stream ripping sites.<\/p>\n
\u201cMusic Canada is committed to taking action against bad actors who deliberately steal from artists and rightsholders,\u201d said Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada. \u201cOur goal is to ensure that artists are paid when their music is played. Preventing stream ripping services from operating is one way in which we can help do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Music Canada is the trade association representing Canada\u2019s major record labels: Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Like its members, Music Canada is a partner to the industry, working with artists, independent labels, publishers, platforms, associations and others, in advancing forward-looking policies to ensure a dynamic and successful Canadian music ecosystem which returns value to music creators.<\/p>\n
For further information, please contact: Victoria Khajavi (vkhajavi@musiccanada.com)<\/p>\n