FitGirl-Repacks Named As Key Piracy Threat In ESA’s 2024 Report

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has recently submitted its updated list of “Notorious Markets” to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, naming FitGirl-Repacks as a prominent new piracy threat, the story was first reported by TorrentFreak (TF).

The ESA, which represents major gaming companies such as Microsoft, Sony, and Ubisoft, compiles this list to shape U.S. government copyright enforcement priorities.

FitGirl-Repacks has long been a major player in game piracy, known for distributing compressed versions of video games, making it easier for users to download pirated content.

The site itself does not host pirated material directly, but provides links to third-party platforms offering unauthorized game copies. The platform’s mascot—a likeness borrowed from the French film Amélie—has become a symbol associated with piracy, as noted by TF.

Despite its massive audience, FitGirl remains a relatively elusive entity. The person or group behind FitGirl-Repacks has not been publicly identified, although the site has been active for more than a decade, as noted by TF.

The site’s operators have managed to evade legal repercussions, though its domains have been blocked in certain countries, such as Italy and Spain, reported TF. These blocks have had limited success in curbing the site’s traffic, as users can often access FitGirl through alternative domains or mirror sites.

While the ESA’s list continues to highlight torrent sites and hosting platforms, its omission of previously noted issues like malware, cryptocurrencies, and Scene release groups stands out, reported TF.

In contrast to last year’s concerns about emerging threats, the focus has shifted entirely to platforms like FitGirl and its smaller counterpart, Dodi-Repacks, which has also been flagged for distributing pirated games, noted TF.

The report underscores the ongoing difficulty in combating piracy. Though new tactics like domain blocks have been employed, these piracy sites continue to thrive globally, frustrating game developers and publishers, as noted by TF.

While the ESA’s recent report now officially acknowledges FitGirl as a significant piracy threat, the site’s continued resilience demonstrates the challenges copyright enforcers face in cracking down on such platforms.