Bulgaria has been removed from the intellectual property protection watch list following actions detailed in the “Special 301” Report. According to the prosecution, this development resulted from coordinated efforts involving Bulgaria’s Prosecution Office and the National Investigation Service, working in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of Homeland Security. The official U.S.
report cited significant advancements in enforcement capabilities and an increase in criminal proceedings specifically targeting online piracy. Key factors contributing to this positive assessment included the implementation of legislative measures and the execution of concrete investigative results. A notable example of these efforts was a large-scale operation conducted in January 2026 against the illegal distribution of protected content.
Supervised by the prosecution, joint teams from the National Investigation Service, the State Agency for National Security, and the Ministry of Interior participated. These teams carried out procedural actions across 30 locations nationwide, collaborating with U.S. law enforcement representatives.
The operation successfully dismantled key infrastructure supporting some of the most frequented pirate platforms in Bulgaria, resulted in the seizure of substantial electronic evidence, and terminated access to a significant volume of infringing material. Furthermore, the statement indicated that individuals implicated in the criminal activity were identified. To bolster ongoing efforts, the National Investigation Service established a dedicated national network of prosecutors and investigators specializing in intellectual property crimes and cybercrime in late April.
This comprehensive work by the prosecution demonstrates a marked commitment to safeguarding intellectual property rights.
Topics: #prosecution #removed #intellectual
