123 Movies network, which included GoMovies, GoStream, MeMovies, and 123movieshub, was a collection of illegal file-streaming websites based in Vietnam. They allowed users to watch movies for free, but the Motion Picture Association of America named it the “most popular illegal site” in March 2018.
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The Vietnamese authorities shut it down soon after as a result of a criminal investigation. As of July 2022, it is advised to avoid such websites and instead use authorized and legitimate sources for streaming content due to potential security risks and violation of copyright laws.
Table of Contents
- 123 Movies Website
- Why 123 Movies was shut down?
- Reappearance 123 Movies
- Video Quality At 123 Movies
123 Movies – Where you Watch HD Movies Free
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123 Movies Website
The 123movies website was once known for offering illegal access to movies and TV series, receiving recognition from the United States and the United Kingdom for its services. However, in 2017, the site faced numerous appeals from copyright holders and was eventually blocked.
Despite this, the site continued to exist, changing its address. In 2018, the developers shut down the project, recognizing the importance of respecting the rights of copyright holders. The 123movies website is now no longer in operation.
Why 123 Movies was shut down?
123movies was shut down due to copyright infringement issues, where the website provided access to copyrighted content without authorization, violating the intellectual property rights of content creators and owners.
This resulted in legal challenges and pressure from the film industry, leading to its eventual shutdown. The US ambassador to Vietnam had reportedly been in talks with the local Minister of Information and Communications to shut down illegal video streaming sites, including 123movies, which was listed as a notorious site by the MPAA.
The MPAA estimated that the site received 98 million visitors per month and was the “most popular illegal site in the world”. On March 19, 2018, a notice was posted on the site’s homepage announcing its shutdown and encouraging users to respect filmmakers by paying for movies and TV shows.
Reappearance 123 Movies
The MPAA reported in October 2018 that the closure of 123movies, 123movieshub, gostream, and gomovies, as a result of a criminal investigation in Vietnam, was a significant development in combating illegal film piracy services.
However, numerous copycat sites emerged in at least eight other countries. Despite the FBI’s shutdown of connected or similar sites like WatchAsap, they redirected to other file-sharing sites.
While the original 123 movies was blocked in India, numerous clones appeared in the country. The reappearance of 123 movies in different iterations under different domains, however, may still face shutdown due to copyright infringement issues.
Video Quality At 123 Movies
The 123movies website is known for its diverse range of video content. It offers a mix of high-quality movies and TV shows in HD with resolutions of 1080p and higher, as well as low-quality, illegally obtained copies filmed in theaters using basic cameras or phones. The site offers multiple video resolution options for the viewer to choose from directly within the player, making it easy to adjust to suit their internet connection.