• Major Cyberlocker Filesonic Goes Offline After Traffic Plummets

    Updated: 2012-08-31 11:06:32
    A major cyberlocker described by the MPAA / RIAA-affiliated International Intellectual Property Alliance as an “infringing distribution hub” appears to be in serious trouble. Filesonic, previously listed among the top 10 largest file-sharing sites in the world, was badly affected by the Megaupload shutdown and lost huge amounts of traffic in 2012. During the last 48 hours it simply ceased to function.Source: Major Cyberlocker Filesonic Goes Offline After Traffic Plummets

  • Streaming Site Admin Detained 7 Months Without Bail, Faces Deportation

    Updated: 2012-08-30 19:18:00
    Following the news that the seized domains of streaming sports site Rojadirecta will be returned after the U.S. government backed away from a court battle, the fortunes of another streaming site admin could hardly be more different. Since his arrest in February and the seizure of nine of his domains, Yonjo Quiroa has been detained without bail. This month he pleaded guilty and will probably receive between 6 and 12 months in custody. After that he will be kicked out of the country.Source: Streaming Site Admin Detained 7 Months Without Bail, Faces Deportation

  • U.S. Returns Seized Domains to Streaming Links Site (After 18 Months)

    Updated: 2012-08-30 09:31:48
    The hugely popular sports streaming and download site Rojadirecta has won its battle with the U.S. More than one and a half years after the feds took the domain names of the Spanish company the authorities have now dropped their lawsuit, meaning that the domains will soon be returned. Later today Rojadirecta will become available again on its .com domain, marking yet another shameful episode in the overbroad U.S. war on online copyright infringement.Source: U.S. Returns Seized Domains to Streaming Links Site (After 18 Months)

  • Anti-Pirates Caught Spying on Thousands of Torrents

    Updated: 2012-08-29 21:32:16
    Two prominent anti-piracy companies that are expected to participate in the U.S. six-strikes anti-piracy scheme are already monitoring thousands of torrent files. Statistics obtained by TorrentFreak show that BayTSP and Peer Media have been increasing their activities in recent months. The BitTorrent activity of these two companies is three times greater than that generated by all customers of a smaller ISP such as Sonic.netSource: Anti-Pirates Caught Spying on Thousands of Torrents

  • Kim Dotcom Wins Release of $4.83m, Some Lawyers Set To Get Paid

    Updated: 2012-08-29 10:50:42
    Kim Dotcom has yet another reason to celebrate this morning. The High Court in New Zealand has freed up $4.83 million from a government bond seized from the Internet entrepreneur when he was arrested back in January. The cash will go towards Dotcom's New Zealand legal expenses to date and contribute to his future fighting fund. The Megaupload founder will also be able to sell some of the vehicles from his luxury car collection.Source: Kim Dotcom Wins Release of $4.83m, Some Lawyers Set To Get Paid

  • Is ABC Starting to Understand BitTorrent Demand?

    Updated: 2012-08-29 08:19:02
    Interesting news coming out of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) shows that maybe BitTorrent pirates have a point when it comes to not waiting for TV shows. In an attempt to dissuade Aussie punters from torrenting the show, ABC has announced it will offer this weekend's new Doctor Who episode on its iview service as soon as it finishes airing in the UK.Source: Is ABC Starting to Understand BitTorrent Demand?

  • Dropbox Competitor Adds BitTorrent Support

    Updated: 2012-08-28 19:18:39
    Maxxo is a relatively young cloud hosting and synchronization service and one that's not afraid to launch a disruptive feature. Starting this week the company officially adds support for BitTorrent downloads, allowing users to download torrent files quickly and anonymously. When BitTorrent downloads are completed the files automatically sync to all connected devices.Source: Dropbox Competitor Adds BitTorrent Support

  • New Megaupload Will Be Massive Global Network To Change The World

    Updated: 2012-08-28 11:37:05
    Several weeks ago Kim Dotcom informed the world that Megaupload would be back, bigger and better than ever. Today, in a series of announcements he's provided more intriguing details about the new service. "We are building a massive global network," Dotcom revealed, while adding that hosters will all be able to connect to the network to add servers and bandwidth - providing they're not in the United States that is. "I am going to turn this world upside down," Dotcom warned.Source: New Megaupload Will Be Massive Global Network To Change The World

  • Researchers Counter Massive Onslaught of Fake Torrents

    Updated: 2012-08-27 21:01:47
    One third of all torrents uploaded to The Pirate Bay point to malware or scams, researchers report. While Pirate Bay moderators are usually quick to remove suspect torrents they can't prevent millions of people from downloading these fake files. To counter this threat the researchers have published TorrentGuard, a tool that allows users to identify fake torrents. The Pirate Bay and several large public trackers are eager to collaborate with the researchers to optimize and implement the new technology.Source: Researchers Counter Massive Onslaught of Fake Torrents

  • Leading ‘Ethical’ TV Show BitTorrent Tracker Shut Down By FACT

    Updated: 2012-08-27 10:15:59
    The MPAA-funded anti-piracy group behind the prosecution of UK streaming links site SurfTheChannel has claimed another prominent victim. UKNova, which has been in existence for almost a decade, has a strict 'ethical' policy which forbids users from uploading any material which is available to buy, but that didn't stop the Federation Against Copyright Theft targeting the site. UKNova will now disable their torrent trackers, depriving thousands of expats access to the TV shows from home they know and love.Source: Leading ‘Ethical’ TV Show BitTorrent Tracker Shut Down By FACT

  • Top 10 Most Pirated Movies on BitTorrent

    Updated: 2012-08-27 09:33:31
    The top 10 most downloaded movies on BitTorrent, 'The Avengers' tops the chart this week, followed by 'The Dictator'. 'The Cold Light Of Day' completes the top three.Source: Top 10 Most Pirated Movies on BitTorrent

  • Get Ready For Another Forty Years Of Corporate Copyright Bullshit

    Updated: 2012-08-26 21:43:38
    I was on a debate panel in Edinburgh, UK this week; a panel about the copyright monopoly conflict. I have had this feeling in my gut for some time, but it became clear on this panel: we're going to be debating the same topics with the same arguments for another 40 years.Source: Get Ready For Another Forty Years Of Corporate Copyright Bullshit

  • Demonoid: Will The Comeback Kid Return?

    Updated: 2012-08-26 16:50:40
    Today it's been one month since Demonoid was driven offline by a massive DDoS attack. In the weeks that followed things went from bad to worse and the site's Ukrainian hosting provider eventually pulled the plug on the site following a request from Mexican authorities. Despite the legal trouble, many of the site's former users are refusing to give up hope that Demonoid will live up to its reputation as the comeback kid.Source: Demonoid: Will The Comeback Kid Return?

  • Copyright Office Requests Additional Comments and Announces Public Meetings on Remedies for Small Copyright Claims

    Updated: 2012-08-25 20:58:47
    Home Attorneys Contact Products Representative Clients Cases Search CO Records Services Workshops and Appearances Posts Photo Attorney Serving the Photographer's Legal Needs Copyright Office Requests Additional Comments and Announces Public Meetings on Remedies for Small Copyright Claims On 08.25.12, In Legislation Litigation by Carolyn E . Wright The Copyright Office is issuing a second request for public comment pertaining to a study undertaken by the Copyright Office at the request of Congress on the topic of adjudicating small copyright claims . The study will assess whether and , if so , how the current legal system hinders or prevents copyright owners from pursuing claims that have a relatively small economic value . The study will also discuss and make recommendations on potential

  • Google URL Takedown Requests Up 100% In a Month, Up 1137% On 2011

    Updated: 2012-08-24 18:27:24
    The massive wave of DMCA takedowns sent by rightsholders to Google in recent months is growing at an astonishing rate. During the past month the number of takedown requests received by the search giant doubled to almost 1.5 million URLs per week. To put that into perspective, exactly one year ago weekly URL takedowns numbered just 131,577 per week, an increase of 1,137%.Source: Google URL Takedown Requests Up 100% In a Month, Up 1137% On 2011

  • Movie Studio Wants to Bankrupt Pirate Bay Founder

    Updated: 2012-08-24 11:42:13
    Movie company Yellow Bird has asked the Stockholm District Court to declare Pirate Bay founder Fredrik Neij bankrupt. Neij, who currently lives in Asia, owes the movie studio nearly $1 million in damages for his role in operating the BitTorrent site. Yellow Bird hopes to recoup some of this money through the bankruptcy, but Neij informs TorrentFreak that there's not much to take.Source: Movie Studio Wants to Bankrupt Pirate Bay Founder

  • MPAA [Wrongly] Downplays Hollywood’s Role In Keeping Piracy Alive

    Updated: 2012-08-23 16:12:03
    "Hollywood is keeping piracy alive by failing to make content available legally." It's an often heard argument, but one that's not "borne out by the facts" according to the MPAA. However, the "facts" presented in a rebuttal by the movie industry group are twisted and show utter contempt for those trying to do the right thing.Source: MPAA [Wrongly] Downplays Hollywood’s Role In Keeping Piracy Alive

  • Anti-Piracy Law Firm Will Publicly Humiliate The Clergy, Police & Arabs

    Updated: 2012-08-23 08:17:01
    A German law firm will hit a new low next week, even for companies engaged in the file-sharing settlement letter business. The company says that from September 1st it will begin publishing the details of individuals it claims have infringed their clients' copyrights by sharing hardcore pornography online. To make matters worse, they're threatening to target churches, police stations and Arabs first. Neither the Pirate Party nor Anonymous are happy and now the latter are threatening action of their own.Source: Anti-Piracy Law Firm Will Publicly Humiliate The Clergy, Police & Arabs

  • FBI Seizes Domains of Pirate Android App Websites

    Updated: 2012-08-22 20:56:37
    After torrent sites and streaming portals, U.S. authorities have now taken down three websites offering pirated Android apps. The FBI operation, which also involved police from France and the Netherlands, is the first to incorporate domain name seizure of sites offering mobile apps. It is unclear at this point whether any of the website operators were arrested during today's actions. Source: FBI Seizes Domains of Pirate Android App Websites

  • Ubisoft: PC Piracy Levels 95%, and 95% of Free-To-Play Users Do Not Pay

    Updated: 2012-08-22 14:36:27
    The CEO of games giant Ubisoft has revealed an interesting parallel in the company's business models. Speaking at Gamescom this week, Yves Guillemot said that around 95% of players of the company's boxed PC games are pirates. Equally, of all players of the company's free-to-play games who can voluntarily part with cash to obtain a better experience, 95% choose not to pay a dime. Nevertheless, the latter model can be a great opportunity to beat piracy.Source: Ubisoft: PC Piracy Levels 95%, and 95% of Free-To-Play Users Do Not Pay

  • “Pirate Patch” Unblocks The Pirate Bay In a Blink

    Updated: 2012-08-21 20:59:02
    Due to court imposed blockades millions of Pirate Bay users rely on proxy websites to access their favorite BitTorrent site. Approximately 5% of all Pirate Bay users now visit the site through a proxy address, and thanks to "The Pirate Patch" app they can now do so using the familiar thepiratebay.se and .org domains.Source: “Pirate Patch” Unblocks The Pirate Bay In a Blink

  • Illegal Downloading Is Scumbag Theft By Copyright Bandits Says Media Giant CEO

    Updated: 2012-08-21 12:50:34
    The chief executive of one of Australia's biggest media companies has come out all guns blazing in an attack on Internet piracy and those who carry it out. Speaking at the Australian International Movie Convention, News Limited CEO Kim Williams described movie downloading as "scumbag theft" carried out by "copyright bandits" and called for new legislation to protect the entertainment industries. "The scale of this theft makes the London riots of last year look like children stealing [candy] from a shop," he said.Source: Illegal Downloading Is Scumbag Theft By Copyright Bandits Says Media Giant CEO

  • Top 10 Most Pirated Movies on BitTorrent

    Updated: 2012-08-20 08:40:36
    The top 10 most downloaded movies on BitTorrent, 'The Avengers' tops the chart this week, followed by 'The Hunger Games'. 'The Dictator' completes the top three.Source: Top 10 Most Pirated Movies on BitTorrent

  • RapidShare Wants A Crackdown on Linking Sites

    Updated: 2012-08-20 01:51:28
    File-hosting service RapidShare admits that the file-hosting business has its challenges, but says that linking sites are the real problem. The company advised the U.S. Government last week that law enforcement should crack down on these websites, instead of writing new legislation that may stifle innovation. To address these piracy concerns, RapidShare's Chief Legal Officer Daniel Raimer is meeting with technology leaders and law enforcement at the Technology Policy Institute forum in Aspen today. Source: RapidShare Wants A Crackdown on Linking Sites

  • Demonoid Domain Sale Banned Over Legal Issues

    Updated: 2012-08-18 19:46:44
    After several turbulent weeks with DDoS attacks, the shutdown of its servers and a criminal investigation into the site's owners, trouble continues for the Demonoid BitTorrent tracker. After the site's domain names were put up for sale last week, domain market place Sedo has now delisted them citing "legal issues." As time progresses the hope of a comeback for what was once one of the largest BitTorrent communities continues to fade.Source: Demonoid Domain Sale Banned Over Legal Issues

  • Police Warn Internet Users Not To Pay Fines To File-Sharing Fraudsters

    Updated: 2012-08-18 10:35:17
    Police in Sweden are warning Internet users not to send money to criminals trying to extort money from alleged file-sharers. The sophisticated scam began when unsuspecting cell phone users browsed an infected website which somehow extracted information from their devices. This was followed up by a mailed allegation of copyright infringement and a cash demand for between 90 and 195 euros to be paid into a foreign bank account. Swedish Antipiratbyran say the scheme is nothing to do with them.Source: Police Warn Internet Users Not To Pay Fines To File-Sharing Fraudsters

  • Quote of the Day: Modern Day Witch Hunts Edition

    Updated: 2012-08-17 20:07:53
    If you haven’t been over to The Agitator recently to read what Radley Balko’s guest bloggers have been writing in his absence over the last several weeks, you are missing some grade A quality posts. This post from William Anderson “Costs and Benefits of Modern ‘Sex Crime’ Witch Hunts” is the creme de la creme. [...]

  • RIAA Revenue Dwindles As Labels Cut Back

    Updated: 2012-08-17 17:16:04
    The latest RIAA tax filing shows that the revenue generated by the anti-piracy group has reached a new low. In just two years the membership dues from music labels have been cut in half and have now sunk to below $30 million a year. While the group has 72 employees, payouts to the top two executives including CEO Cary Sherman amount to more than $3 million, some 25% of the total wage bill.Source: RIAA Revenue Dwindles As Labels Cut Back

  • Pirate Bay Founder Appeals Passport Revocation

    Updated: 2012-08-17 10:22:01
    One of the founders of The Pirate Bay is this month engaged in yet another battle. Fredrik Neij currently lives in Laos, Asia, and he and his wife are expecting their third child very soon. However, they need to cross the border to Thailand to give birth which is proving problematic - the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok has revoked Neij's passport.Source: Pirate Bay Founder Appeals Passport Revocation

  • Pirate Bay and isoHunt Respond to Google Search Result Punishment

    Updated: 2012-08-16 18:41:02
    Today we are beginning to see the first signs of Google's announced punishment of "pirate" websites. The changes are resulting in lower search rankings for many file-sharing sites, but that doesn't seem to bother The Pirate Bay. They are, however, disappointed that Google is giving in to the demands of the entertainment industries. The owner of fellow BitTorrent site isoHunt has gone a step further with a call for protest against antitrust bullying and censorship.Source: Pirate Bay and isoHunt Respond to Google Search Result Punishment

  • Using the FBI’s Anti-Piracy Warning Seal to Thwart Copyright Infringement

    Updated: 2012-08-16 15:18:13
    Home Attorneys Contact Products Representative Clients Cases Search CO Records Services Workshops and Appearances Posts Photo Attorney Serving the Photographer's Legal Needs Using the FBI’s Anti-Piracy Warning Seal to Thwart Copyright Infringement On 08.16.12, In Copyright Infringement Legislation by Carolyn E . Wright The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is . illegal Criminal copyright infringement , including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal . imprisonment The battle against copyright infringement seems never ending . But now all copyright owners have another tool to try to reduce theft of their . works The Anti-Piracy Warning APW” Seal is the official insignia of the FBI and the U.S .

  • Kim Dotcom Must Be Allowed To See FBI Evidence Against Him, Court Rules

    Updated: 2012-08-16 07:59:02
    The bid to have Kim Dotcom extradited to the United States suffered a significant setback today. US authorities had insisted there was no need for them to reveal the evidence they hold against the Megaupload founder. But today a New Zealand judge upheld an earlier decision and ordered the US to reveal the evidence they are relying on to have Dotcom and his associates shipped to the United States, including details of covert operations and confidential discussions with rights holders.Source: Kim Dotcom Must Be Allowed To See FBI Evidence Against Him, Court Rules

  • SurfTheChannel Owner Sentenced to Four Years in Jail

    Updated: 2012-08-14 15:46:58
    The owner of TV streaming links site SurfTheChannel was sentenced to four years jail-time at Newcastle Crown Court today. Anton Vickerman was previously found guilty of conspiracy to defraud for “facilitating” copyright infringement . The landmark case follows a sting operation by the MPAA, who partnered with the UK Federation Against Copyright Theft to obtain evidence against the site operator. Source: SurfTheChannel Owner Sentenced to Four Years in Jail

  • Virgin Media Blocks File-Sharing Site After Receiving Court Order

    Updated: 2012-08-14 08:45:12
    After holding out on a Hollywood request to block a file-sharing site, Virgin Media has finally been forced to comply. The UK ISP said it would only block the Newzbin2 Usenet indexing site if ordered to do so by a court. Now, more than a year after the High Court told ISP BT to initiate a blockade against the movie industry target, Virgin Media has been ordered to do the same.Source: Virgin Media Blocks File-Sharing Site After Receiving Court Order

  • I Know What You Downloaded On BitTorrent This Summer

    Updated: 2012-08-13 22:09:50
    Late 2011 a site appeared claiming to have tracked the sharing habits of more than 51 million BitTorrent users. The site, YouHaveDownloaded, went down a storm in the months that followed but is sadly no longer functional. However, what that Russian site did in the winter is now being matched by a Polish site this summer. So what did "you" download during the past few months? ScanEye believes it knows.Source: I Know What You Downloaded On BitTorrent This Summer

  • MPAA / RIAA Want U.S. to Help Quash The Pirate Bay

    Updated: 2012-08-13 14:39:35
    The MPAA and RIAA have submitted their policy recommendations to Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel. In a joint submission the groups explain that despite the broad availability of legal content, online piracy is still rampant. The groups say that services including The Pirate Bay, Rapidgator, Turbobit, DepositFiles and PutLocker are piracy havens, and they urge the U.S. Government to help them quash these sites.Source: MPAA / RIAA Want U.S. to Help Quash The Pirate Bay

  • Top 10 Most Pirated Movies on BitTorrent

    Updated: 2012-08-13 09:08:45
    The top 10 most downloaded movies on BitTorrent, 'The Hunger Games' tops the chart this week, followed by 'The Dictator'. 'Battleship' completes the top three.Source: Top 10 Most Pirated Movies on BitTorrent

  • Recovered from the Memory Hole: Rep. Paul Ryan Urges Congress to Pass TARP

    Updated: 2012-08-12 01:58:15
    Mitt Romney has selected Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as his running mate with great fanfare among conservatives. Paul Ryan, someone with some fiscal sanity on a major political ticket who can offer an alternative to President Obama and his big government, big spending ways. Well, not so fast. Not too long after the news of [...]

  • Google Starts Punishing “Pirate” Sites In Search Results

    Updated: 2012-08-10 21:51:33
    Google announced today that it will lower the search engine rankings of websites that receive a high number of DMCA takedown requests, independent of whether the linked content is lawful or not. The algorithm change is the result of extensive lobbying efforts by Hollywood and the major music labels, and could severely degrade the rankings of websites such as The Pirate Bay, FilesTube, and even YouTube.Source: Google Starts Punishing “Pirate” Sites In Search Results

  • Efficiency Tests Delay U.S. “Six Strikes” Anti-Piracy Scheme

    Updated: 2012-08-09 22:30:03
    The much-discussed U.S. six strikes anti-piracy scheme has been delayed until later this year. The main question on people's minds is why. Is it because of the SOPA and PIPA revolts? Are the Internet providers having second thoughts? Not according to Advisory Board member Gigi Sohn, who points out that finding the right "language" for the warnings is one of the delaying factors.Source: Efficiency Tests Delay U.S. “Six Strikes” Anti-Piracy Scheme

  • Quote Of The Day

    Updated: 2012-08-07 20:51:22
    From J.D. Tuccille at Reason Hit’n'Run: But I still think I’m correct in looking at the presidential race and seeing anything but an easy call. Strictly speaking, I see two midgets locked in a slap fight, and the loser is us as we confront the fact that one of them will be left standing. Well [...]

  • Two Libertarians Walk Into a Bar

    Updated: 2012-08-07 05:48:13
    Actually four libertarians (an two larval stage libertarians), and it was a restaurant; but the potential for humor is about the same. Mel and I just had the pleasure of dinner (and Coldstone ice cream afterwards) with Aretae and his wife, and children. No, there wasn’t some long winded intellectual libertarian singularity, or formalist/structuralist matter/antimatter [...]

  • Are You Ready to Go Steady? The Pros and Cons of Pinterest

    Updated: 2012-08-06 20:42:15
    Home Attorneys Contact Products Representative Clients Cases Search CO Records Services Workshops and Appearances Posts Photo Attorney Serving the Photographer's Legal Needs Are You Ready to Go Steady The Pros and Cons of Pinterest On 08.06.12, In DMCA Social Networking by Carolyn E . Wright Check my article entitled Are You Ready to Go Steady The Pros and Cons of Pinterest” in the August issue of Professional Photographer Magazine . The magazine is available for free to PPA members , by subscription and for purchase online Carolyn E . Wright Carolyn E . Wright , a k a the Photo Attorney® , is a full-time attorney whose practice is aimed squarely at the legal needs of photographers and other copyright . owners Visit Authors Website All Articles From This Author If you enjoyed this article

  • Comment of the Day

    Updated: 2012-08-05 03:34:10
    The following “Comment of the Day” from Rebecca was in response other comments responding to Brad’s satirical* post entitled: ‘Wendy’ Condemns Chick-fil-A President Remarks On Gay Marriage. 1. Attn: Bible-thumpers: If you haven’t read your Holy Book in the original un-pointed Hebrew and Aramaic, you have no idea what the Bible actually says. Also, if [...]

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