# articles

feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162395
title: Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week on BitTorrent – 10/08/18
uri: Top-10-Most-Pirated-Movies-of-The-Week-on-BitTorrent-10-08-18
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/Cj3KT_HIkek/
content:
<p><img src="media/b7dd7704.antman-1.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/antman-1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="211" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162397">This week we have two newcomers in our chart.</p>
<p>Ant-Man and the Wasp is the most downloaded movie.</p>
<p>The data for our weekly download chart is estimated by TorrentFreak, and is for informational and educational reference only. All the movies in the list are Web-DL/Webrip/HDRip/BDrip/DVDrip unless stated otherwise.</p>
<p><a href="http://TorrentFreak.com/category/dvdrip/feed/"><strong>RSS feed</strong></a> for the articles of the recent weekly movie download charts.</p>
<h5>This week&#8217;s most downloaded movies are:</h5>
<table class="css hover">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="12%"><strong>Movie Rank</strong></th>
<th width="15%"><strong>Rank <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-pirated-movies-week-bittorrent-10-01-18/">last week</a></strong></th>
<th><strong>Movie name</strong></th>
<th width="18%"><strong>IMDb Rating / Trailer</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tfoot>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">Most downloaded movies via torrents</td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095030/">Ant-Man and the Wasp</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095030/">7.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUkn-enk2RU&#038;t=19s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>(3)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5220122/">Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5220122/">6.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EzB6eTni2s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>(1)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6133466/">The First Purge</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6133466/">5.2</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL29y0ah92w">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>(2)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/">Solo: A Star Wars Story</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/">7.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>(4)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4881806/">Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom </a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4881806/">6.5</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn9mMeWcgoM">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>(6)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052474/">Sicario: Day of the Soldado</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052474/">7.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIMChzE_aCo">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4073790">The Darkest Minds</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4073790">5.5</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8o_E_f9FQ">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>(5)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5758778/">Skyscraper </a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5758778/">6.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9QePUT-Yt8">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>9</strong></td>
<td>(10)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/">The Meg</a> (Subbed HDRip)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/">6.0</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLk0NPRFAc">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>10</strong></td>
<td>(9)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4912910/">Mission: Impossible &#8211; Fallout</a> (Subbed HDRip)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4912910/">8.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiHiW4N7-bo">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162402
title: Sony Sues ‘Jailbroken’ PS4 Seller for Copyright Infringement
uri: Sony-Sues-Jailbroken-PS4-Seller-for-Copyright-Infringement
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/iro5txjqX5o/
content:
<p><img src="media/774a9e8d.ps4.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/ps4.jpg" alt="" width="260" height="122" class="alignright size-full wp-image-145223">Since its official launch in 2013, the PlayStation 4 (PS4) remained piracy-free for a long time, but last year things started <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/ps4-piracy-now-exists-if-gamers-want-to-jump-through-hoops-170930/">to shift</a>. </p>
<p>Following the release of a new <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/new-ps4-jailbreak-hits-firmware-4-55-excites-the-masses-180228/">jailbreak version</a> a few months ago, things took a turn for the worse for Sony. This allowed the masses to tinker with their PS4 consoles which only increased the piracy troubles. </p>
<p>While it will be hard for Sony to put the genie back in the bottle, the Japanese company has decided to take a stand. In a new case filed at a federal court in California, Sony details its complaint against a local resident who allegedly offered for sale jailbroken PS4s filled with pirated games.</p>
<p>According to Sony, defendant Eric Scales was using the handle &#8220;Blackcloak13&#8221; to sell the jailbroken PS4s preloaded with over 60 pirated games on eBay.</p>
<p>&#8220;Defendant is an individual who has marketed, sold, and distributed &#8216;jailbroken&#8217; PS4 consoles that: (a) contain &#8216;pirated&#8217; (unauthorized) copies of PS4-compatible video games, and (b) were produced and designed for purposes of, and/or were marketed by Defendant for use in, circumventing technological protection measures,&#8221; the complaint reads. </p>
<p><center><strong>One eBay listing</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/8def26bc.miodebay.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/miodebay.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="282" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162410"></center></p>
<p>Sony ordered two devices online and found that they were indeed &#8216;as advertised.&#8217; The PS4s were modified to run an unnamed exploit which effectively circumvents the technological protection measures that normally prevent people from playing pirated games.</p>
<p>&#8220;The exploit enables the PS4 console sold by Defendant to play the 60+ unauthorized copies of video games that are contained on its hard drive,&#8221; Sony writes.</p>
<p>In addition to the eBay shop, the man is also accused of running a separate <a href="http://foxhoundoutfitters.wixsite.com/ps3-jailbreak-mods">website</a> (now offline) where he advertised his services and products. The website stated that he&#8217;s been jailbreaking and modding consoles since 2006, and encouraged people to &#8220;stop buying games.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;On Defendant’s website, where he uses the traditional &#8216;pirate&#8217; symbol of a skull and crossbones shown below, Defendant states that purchasing his services or products will enable the purchaser to &#8216;be able to Download and copy any game&#8217; and to &#8216;STOP BUYING GAMES&#8217;,&#8221; Sony notes.</p>
<p><center><strong>STOP BUYING GAMES</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/964b5e64.stopbuying.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/stopbuying.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="281" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162411"></center></p>
<p>With its lawsuit, Sony hopes to obtain an injunction ordering the defendant to stop any infringing activity and to destroy all jailbroken or “modded” PS4 consoles, hard drives, and games. </p>
<p>In addition, the game company requests damages for copyright infringement and for violating the DMCA by circumventing the PS4&#8217;s technological protection measures. </p>
<p>To our knowledge, this is the first jailbroken PS4 lawsuit, and it&#8217;s likely that Sony wants to set a clear example. With several first-party PS4 games being mentioned in the lawsuit, the potential damages run to hundreds of thousands of dollars.</p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>A copy of the full complaint, obtained by TorrentFreak, is available <a href="media/6567cfdc.sonycomp.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/sonycomp.pdf">here (pdf)</a>.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162405
title: Ongoing SickRage Dispute Descends into Trademark War
uri: Ongoing-SickRage-Dispute-Descends-into-Trademark-War
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/UMVzMkXRrE8/
content:
<p><a href="media/357ba409.sickrage.png" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage.png"><img src="media/ad000b98.sickrage.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage.png" alt="" width="250" height="144" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162408"></a>With file-sharers manually acquiring increasingly large libraries of content, several years ago it became clear that software to automate the process would prove popular with the masses.</p>
<p>One such tool was <a href="http://sickbeard.com/index.html">Sick Beard</a>, a PVR-like piece of software that was able to utilize Usenet providers, indexers, and TheTVDB to identify airing dates for TV shows and automatically download whenever they became available online. It would then add the content to a user&#8217;s library ready for viewing.</p>
<p>Like many successful open projects, Sick Beard later found itself &#8216;forked&#8217;, with developers breathing life into SickRage, a GNU General Public Licensed tool that took Sick Beard&#8217;s dreams and ran with them. With improved Usenet and torrent support plus a <a href="https://sick-rage.github.io/">whole raft of new features</a>, <a href="https://github.com/Sick-Rage/Sick-Rage/wiki/What-is-SickRage%3F">SickRage</a> gained an impressive following.</p>
<p><center><strong>SickRage in action</strong><br></br></center><center><a href="media/0704a276.sickrage1-e1538987595969.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage1-e1538987595969.png"><img src="media/0704a276.sickrage1-e1538987595969.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage1-e1538987595969.png" alt="" width="600" height="428" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162415"></a></center></p>
<p>Unfortunately, however, SickRage began to suffer problems common to many projects where not every developer is an agreement on every point of action. This led to fragmentation, with devs moving to work on other similar projects. One of those who departed was a dev known as Echel0n, who started up his own SickRage variant operating from SickRage.ca.</p>
<p>In July 2017, things appeared to boil over when Echel0n (later self-identified as &#8216;Justin Tabish&#8217;) filed a DMCA complaint with Github, claiming copyright over the SickRage code.</p>
<p>&#8220;SiCKRAGE and the original code has not been provided or its use authorized, this is a violation of my copyright. I have a good faith belief the distribution of SiCKRAGE includes content of which the distribution is not authorized by the copyright owner, it&#8217;s [sic] agent, or the law,&#8221; <a href="https://github.com/github/dmca/blob/28e5cf59bd7000c8ddecb2597294aadb67596c66/2017/2017-07-17-SiCKRAGE.md">the complaint reads</a>.</p>
<p>Just days later, SickRage fought back, filing a <a href="https://github.com/github/dmca/blob/8b9a875b250cfac888c41ee1020ce73bb2151851/2017/2017-07-21-SickRage-CounterNotice.md">counter-notice with Github</a>. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the various contributors to long-standing open projects, the counter-notice points out a number of issues with the original DMCA notice.</p>
<p>Disputing all of its claims, the counter-notice states that the original SickRage copyright holder (@midgetspy) endorsed adding his name to the license and adding the counter-notice filer&#8217;s name &#8220;underneath his as credit for later contributions as per convention.&#8221; It also states that &#8216;Echel0n&#8217; has no standing to make a complaint.</p>
<p>&#8220;As such, all other claims are disputed for this DMCA. We are in compliance with all applicable law to the best of our knowledge. Very little if any code is shared among these forks, however if complainant would like a prior credit added that would be amenable,&#8221; the notice adds.</p>
<p>With that, Gihub reinstated the project and for some time it appeared that an uneasy peace had broken out. It now transpires, however, that Echel0n (Tabish) was just getting warmed up.</p>
<p>As the image below shows, in September the developer registered the trademark &#8216;SickRage&#8217; in the US with the United States Trademark and Patents Office (<a href="https://www.uspto.gov/">USPTO</a>).</p>
<p><center><strong>SickRage trademark filing</strong><br></br></center><center><a href="media/388985d3.sickrage-tm-e1538990261508.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage-tm-e1538990261508.png"><img src="media/388985d3.sickrage-tm-e1538990261508.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage-tm-e1538990261508.png" alt="" width="600" height="322" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162425"></a></center></p>
<p>Armed with this <a href="http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&#038;state=4806:lhrmin.2.1">piece of paper</a>, Justin Tabish fired off a complaint to developer Dustyn Gibson (aka &#8216;<a href="https://github.com/miigotu">miigotu</a>&#8216;) of the SickRage project, warning him to cease and desist using the SickRage trademark, even though it doesn&#8217;t appear to have been <a href="https://www.trademarkia.com/sickrage-88117408.html">awarded yet</a>.</p>
<p><center><strong>Cease and Desist</strong><br></br></center><center><a href="media/5c9e0744.sickrage-tm-cd-e1538990533407.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage-tm-cd-e1538990533407.png"><img src="media/5c9e0744.sickrage-tm-cd-e1538990533407.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage-tm-cd-e1538990533407.png" alt="" width="600" height="814" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162426"></a></center></p>
<p>Tabish also wrote to Github, demanding that the site transfer ownership of the SickRage repository to him.</p>
<p>&#8220;I’d like to report a case of trademark infringement and am requesting transfer of ownership for the following organization to my control so that I can remedy the situation, the organization is https://github.com/sickrage and is owned/controlled by username Miigotu, user’s profile is located at https://github.com/miigotu,&#8221; he told the company.</p>
<p>&#8220;This repo also has a website located at https://sickrage.github.io. This user/repo is a ex-team member of mine that I let go awhile back, they and others decided to open a repo on you’re servers under the exact same name of my company and project causing confusion and misleading members, as you can see in the title of the repo they have placed &#8216;The new home of the SickRage community&#8217; which leads others to think there was some sort of change of ownership.&#8221;</p>
<p>Describing the effort as a &#8220;hostile takeover&#8221; attempt, &#8216;miigotu&#8217; <a href="https://github.com/Sick-Rage/Sick-Rage/issues/4984">posted a note</a> to the official Github account promising to fight every inch of the way.</p>
<p>&#8220;I will have to fight this again, he is claiming his &#8216;company&#8217; owns a trademark to the name SickRage. This is a joke and I will fight it tooth and nail,&#8221; miigotu writes.</p>
<p>&#8220;Just another attempt by the drug addict to try and claim he owns the work that we all did on this project. He abandoned the project and we made it what it is. Then he popped up 2 years later and removed the entire team. If I have to take him to court, that will happen.&#8221;</p>
<p>There&#8217;s now a pretty huge argument taking place on Github as to who is right and wrong, and who is infringing on various rights. It&#8217;s a minefield of opinions that&#8217;s <a href="https://github.com/Sick-Rage/Sick-Rage/issues/4984">best read directly</a> to be understood. Needless to say, it&#8217;s very messy indeed.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162438
title: Sky Will Implement “Three Strikes” Scheme to Disconnect Pirates
uri: Sky-Will-Implement-Three-Strikes-Scheme-to-Disconnect-Pirates
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/gb8o85nU6r0/
content:
<p><a href="media/0ba91d62.throttle.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/throttle.jpg"><img src="media/269797aa.throttle.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/throttle.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" class="alignright size-full wp-image-8967"></a>For many years the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) has been trying to reduce piracy levels in Ireland. Their most visible target has been those who share their members&#8217; content on file-sharing networks such as BitTorrent.</p>
<p>At the turn of the last decade the labels, including Sony, Universal, and Warner, ended legal action against local ISP Eircom after the provider agreed to implement a so-called “three strikes” regime against peer-to-peer pirates.</p>
<p>The agreement saw the labels tracking infringers online and presenting notices of infringement to Eircom. The ISP forwards these notices to allegedly infringing subscribers, with those caught pirating for a third time becoming eligible for disconnection from the Internet.</p>
<p>Acknowledging that this could put Eircom at a commercial disadvantage, the labels targeted another ISP, UPC (later taken over by Virgin), with a request to implement the same system. UPC refused and the case went to court.</p>
<p>In 2015, the High Court ruled in the labels&#8217; favor, rejecting UPC&#8217;s complaints that it should not have to police subscribers’ online activities. Back in July, Sony, Warner and Universal returned with similar demands, this time targeting Sky Ireland.</p>
<p>While Eircom and UPC initially dug in their heels, Sky turned out to be a different animal. A content provider itself, Sky indicated that it would comply with the labels&#8217; request, but only if they first obtained a court order.</p>
<p>“Copyright holders who believe broadband users have unlawfully shared content online have the option of taking their cases to court. If the order is granted, the service provider must comply and Sky would, of course, comply with any such order,” the ISP said.</p>
<p>In response, the labels (under the Irish Recorded Music Association umbrella) <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/sony-universal-and-warner-ask-sky-to-disconnect-pirate-subscribers-180726/">initiated a claim in the High Court</a>. Just a few short months later, that case is now over and settled in favor of the labels after Sky streamlined the process.</p>
<p>Jonathan Newman SC, representing the labels, told the Commercial Court that Sky had written to the record companies indicating that it would implement a &#8220;graduated response&#8221; scheme as required and would therefore not be attending Court.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/sky-agrees-to-cease-and-desist-protocol-to-tackle-music-piracy-874415.html">Irish Examiner</a>, Newman said that the &#8220;three strikes&#8221; regime was proving effective at the other ISPs, with subscribers ending their illegal activity after receiving a second cease-and-desist notice.</p>
<p>While the first two warnings are for informational purposes and to act as a deterrent, subscribers receiving a third notice have their personal details handed to the record labels, who then have the option of taking a case to court to have the accounts of repeat infringers terminated.</p>
<p>Mr Justice Robert Haughton said &#8220;the big stick does the job&#8221;, indicating the loss of anonymity and the threat of legal action was enough to stop infringers in their tracks.</p>
<p>While no statistics have been made publicly available to indicate whether any users receive three or more warnings, not a single user has had their Internet account terminated since Eircom agreed to <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/leaked-document-reveals-eircom-deal-with-irish-riaa-090808/">implement a similar scheme</a> nine years ago.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162457
title: Share With Care: Danish ISP Blocks Point ‘Pirates’ to Legal Alternatives
uri: Share-With-Care-Danish-ISP-Blocks-Point-Pirates-to-Legal-Altern
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/Eapo8GOIh84/
content:
<p><img src="media/18ab2bd7.sharewithcare-e1539067210781.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sharewithcare-e1539067210781.png" alt="" width="277" height="127" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162459">Denmark was among the first countries where The Pirate Bay was blocked, now <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-bay-blocked-by-isp-080204/">more than ten years ago</a>. </p>
<p>A lot has changed since then. At the moment, major Danish ISPs are <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/danish-isps-stand-up-against-mafia-like-copyright-trolls-170530/">preventing subscribers</a> from accessing roughly 300 pirate sites, and this list is far from complete. </p>
<p>Aside from expanding the list of sites, the parties involved also realized that blocking is not the end goal. Ideally, pirates should be directed toward legal services. This way they can still enjoy the content, with more money flowing to the makers. </p>
<p>To facilitate this process several stakeholders, including the Danish Ministry of Culture, anti-piracy group RettighedsAlliancen, the Telecom Industry Association, and the Confederation of Danish Industry, are introducing a new landing page for blocked users today. </p>
<p>The new landing page coincides with the relaunch of the &#8220;<a href="https://sharewithcare.dk/">Share With Care</a>&#8221; campaign, which now includes the custom film and TV search engine <a href="https://www.filmfinder.dk/">FilmFinder</a>. This offers blocked users the option to easily find legal alternatives, if these are available. </p>
<p>RettighedsAlliancen CEO Maria Fredenslund informs TorrentFreak that it&#8217;s a top priority to protect the rights of creators, but that this effort doesn&#8217;t stop at simply blocking pirates.</p>
<p>&#8220;Through the promotion of legal services, the goal of Share With Care is not only to stop traffic to illegal pages but also to move them to legal services. Today, there are plenty of legal services and products that offer the experiences users are searching for,” she says.</p>
<p><center><strong>The new landing page</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/2d286d43.sharewithcare-1.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sharewithcare-1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="398" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162466"></center></p>
<p>According to estimates from SimilarWeb, there were nearly 600 million Danish visits to pirate sites in 2017. This shows that the pirate audience is still massive. With the &#8220;Share With Care&#8221; campaign the parties hope to curb this trend. </p>
<p>Jakob Willer, Director of the Telecom Industry Association, notes that Internet providers prefer this educational approach over the legal threat campaigns that swept the country earlier this year.</p>
<p>&#8220;We do not believe that wagging index fingers or threats of lawsuits work. The role of telecommunications companies, therefore, is to guide our users toward legal content, while we vigilantly safeguard that blocking takes place on a clear juridical foundation. </p>
<p>&#8220;With the Share With Care campaign, we have found good, balanced path based on cooperation among the most important stakeholders in the field,&#8221; Willer adds.</p>
<p>While the new landing page and the FilmFinder site are certainly educational, the question is whether they will prove sufficient. </p>
<p>There is no denying that there are a lot of legal options out there, but with the increased fragmentation of online video, people may need to sign up with more than a handful of services to access everything. </p>
<p>Many pirates are avid legal consumers already, but legal options have their limits when it comes to affordability and convenience, especially when compared to pirate alternatives. </p>
<p>We have highlighted this <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/most-top-films-are-not-available-on-netflix-research-finds-140926/">several</a> <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/disney-ditching-netflix-keeps-piracy-relevant-170809/">times</a> in the past and just recently it was suggested as a <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/bittorrent-traffic-is-not-dead-its-making-a-comeback-180926/">potential explanation</a> for why BitTorrent traffic is making a comeback. </p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162509
title: Globally, Almost Four Out of Ten Music Consumers Are Pirates
uri: Globally-Almost-Four-Out-of-Ten-Music-Consumers-Are-Pirates
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/20Gdb85vtbc/
content:
<p><a href="media/e4511fa3.ifpilogo.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/ifpilogo.jpg"><img src="media/603de5f1.ifpilogo.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/ifpilogo.jpg" alt="" width="180" height="109" class="alignright size-full wp-image-54626"></a>IFPI, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, presents itself as the &#8220;voice of the recording industry worldwide.&#8221; The organization represents 1,300 record companies globally including the biggest labels in the industry.</p>
<p>IFPI&#8217;s annual Music Consumer Insight Report delves into the way music is consumed by 16 to 64-year-olds, particularly in the ever-expanding digital marketplace. Carried out by AudienceNet between April and May 2018 and covering twenty territories accounting for 91.3% of global revenues, the research aims to understand how consumers engage with both licensed and unlicensed content.</p>
<p>The report kicks off with the headline figure that 86% of consumers are now listening to music through on-demand streaming, with a solid 50% of 16 to 24-year-olds indicating a preference for streaming if there were only one way to listen to music. According to the research, 75% of consumers now use smartphones to access music.</p>
<p>But while millions of global consumers are now choosing licensed services for their musical fix, large numbers are still obtaining content from unlicensed sources. The report finds that almost four out of ten consumers (38%) still obtain their content using methods that infringe copyright.</p>
<p>In the early 2000s, the unchallenged kings of illegal music supply were the P2P networks dominated by the likes of Kazaa and LimeWire, with BitTorrent and file-hosting sites entering the party later but grabbing a huge slice of the cake. Now, however, it is largely legal services that are providing the source material for the &#8216;pirate&#8217; market. </p>
<p>IFPI is clear: so-called &#8216;stream-ripping&#8217; is now the most-used form of obtaining music online illegally, with 32% of all consumers downloading music this way. While users can head off to legal services and stream ad-supported content at will, stream-rippers use various tools to download the music instead, meaning that they don&#8217;t have to revisit to listen to the same content.</p>
<p>&#8220;Stream-ripping users are more likely to say that they rip music so they have music to listen to offline. This means they can avoid paying for a premium streaming subscription,&#8221; IFPI notes.</p>
<p>With a nod to successful action against sites including <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/youtube-mp3-settles-with-riaa-site-will-shut-down-170904/">YouTube-MP3</a> and <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/youtube-download-sites-throw-in-the-towel-under-legal-pressure-180614/">others</a>, IFPI notes that the stream-ripping issue isn&#8217;t going away.</p>
<p>&#8220;Record companies are taking action globally against stream ripping sites that undermine legitimate services and pay no money to those investing in and creating the music. Despite some successes, the problem persists,&#8221; its report reads.</p>
<p>In its <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/bulletproof-hosting-is-an-emerging-piracy-threat-riaa-warns-181004/">latest submission</a> to the USTR, the RIAA highlighted a number of key overseas stream-ripping offenders, including Flvto.biz and 2conv.com (<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/major-labels-sue-more-youtube-ripper-sites-180806/">which are currently being sued</a>), plus Mp3juices.cc, Convert2mp3.net, Ytmp3.cc, plus several others.</p>
<p>Given that YouTube is now a major source of both licensed and unlicensed music (and is an unwitting key supplier of source material to the &#8216;pirate&#8217; market), it&#8217;s no surprise that the so-called &#8216;Value Gap&#8217; and related issues are highlighted in IFPI&#8217;s research.</p>
<p>&#8220;[U]ser upload services are not returning fair value to the music community,&#8221; IFPI notes, adding that 35% of consumers say that a main reason for them not subscribing to a paid music service is because everything they need is already available for free on YouTube.</p>
<p>While the music industry is determined to change legislation in order to find a way out of the &#8216;Value Gap&#8217; conundrum (particularly via the now infamous <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/eu-parliament-adopts-controversial-upload-filter-proposal-180912/">Article 13 in the EU</a>), it has other copyright-related problems to deal with too.</p>
<p>According to the study, almost a quarter (23%) of global consumers obtain unlicensed music through either cyberlocker sites or P2P systems such as BitTorrent.</p>
<p>Sites specializing in both delivery systems were recently reported to the USTR including Russian giant Rapidgator, Zippyshare, and Turbobit, plus torrent indexes ThePirate Bay, Torrentz2, RARBG, and 1337x.</p>
<p><center><strong>Piracy: still going strong</strong><br></br></center><center><a href="media/5bf6e2a7.ifpi-report-2018.png" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/ifpi-report-2018.png"><img src="media/ff8bab97.ifpi-report-2018.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/ifpi-report-2018.png" alt="" width="582" height="839" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162522"></a></center></p>
<p>Finally, IFPI&#8217;s report notes that 17% of all consumers use search engines to find infringing content. Given that <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/google-removed-2-5-billion-pirate-search-results-170706/">billions of takedown notices</a> have been sent to Google to remove links to pirate music from search results, this seems like a pretty high figure. Anecdotal evidence online suggests that Google, in particular, is no longer the trove of unlicensed content links it once was. </p>
<p>However, with initiatives like <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/google-punishing-pirate-sites-in-search-results-works-160713/">site downranking</a> now in place at Google, it seems likely that key sources of unlicensed content will continue their trip to the outlying pages of search engine indexes, which could encourage users to test out alternatives such as DuckDuckGo. IFPI, of course, will hope the trend switches towards licensed services instead.</p>
<p>The full Music Consumer Insight Report 2018 can be downloaded here <em>(<a href="media/42a92c2f.Music-Consumer-Insight-Report-2018.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.ifpi.org/downloads/Music-Consumer-Insight-Report-2018.pdf">pdf</a>)</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162367
title: Cryptocurrency Startup Creates a Decentralized ‘Pirate Bay’ Alternative
uri: Cryptocurrency-Startup-Creates-a-Decentralized-Pirate-Bay-Altern
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/sedI_88v4Sk/
content:
<p><img src="media/28e64469.qmc-1.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/qmc-1.png" alt="" width="280" height="250" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162370">There&#8217;s no shortage of blockchain related file-sharing projects. We have covered quite a few in recent years, ideally those with an actual working product. </p>
<p>While most offer novel solutions for marginal problems, a new project that recently crossed our path stood out.</p>
<p>The goal of <a href="http://web.qmcoin.gq/">Quality Magnet Coin</a>, QMC for short, is to build a large torrent magnet index that&#8217;s impossible to take offline, censor, or block.</p>
<p>The core idea is fairly straightforward. The application uses the blockchain to create a decentralized database of torrent magnet links which doesn&#8217;t rely on a hosting service or domain name, making it virtually impossible to take down.</p>
<p>&#8220;While other existing services and plans are focusing on Pay-to-Seed, that is, paying for uploading the actual data of the files to people who are downloading, we are focused on the creation of a decentralized and searchable database of files to download. Think of it as a decentralized Pirate Bay,&#8221; the QMC team tells us.</p>
<p>In addition to keeping a record of all transactions on the blockchain, every user also stores the database of magnet files. This is constantly synced with the network to update it with new magnet links, and to remove those that are frequently voted as &#8216;bad.&#8217;</p>
<p><center><strong>Searching the QMT tool&#8230;</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/d0d3c231.qmttool.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/qmttool.png" alt="" width="600" height="412" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162528"></center></p>
<p>QMC relies on its users to build the magnet database. Everyone is welcome to submit a magnet link to the database, but it comes with a catch. Submitting a link costs the user 1 QMC but in return, if the magnet is voted as good, they can get 5 QMC back after a month.</p>
<p>This &#8216;investment&#8217; concept acts as a double-edged sword. The costs prevent spammers from taking over the system, while the returns encourage people to share. At least, that&#8217;s the theory.</p>
<p>QMC only just got started but they have a working project available. There are also more than 25 masternodes at the time of writing, which help to keep everything running smoothly. At the moment, 10% of the masternode holders have to vote a torrent as &#8216;good&#8217; before a payment is made.</p>
<p>When we tried the QMT application, which works, the program froze on a few occasions while searching. The team is aware that there may be some issues initially, but they plan to continue improving on it. The magnet search from the wallet itself seems to work smoothly.</p>
<p><center><strong>QMC</strong></center><center></p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
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<p></center></p>
<p>Search results are presented in a basic list. This includes a download link to load magnets into any regular torrent client, plus a link to Instant.io, where they can be downloaded or streamed through WebTorrent.</p>
<p>As for the magnet database, there are just over 5,000 magnet links at the moment, which is very limited. However, the QMC team is currently exploring partnerships with torrent sites to expand it more swiftly. </p>
<p>That also brings up the inevitable legal issues. </p>
<p>A lot of the magnet links point to copyrighted content, which is illegal to download or share. This may be a concern to rightsholders, but the QMC team stresses that the software and network itself is content neutral.</p>
<p>&#8220;We have no intention of copyright infringement, just like TRON doesn&#8217;t for that matter &#8211; even though they want to pay users for seeding torrents,&#8221; they say, pointing to the BitTorrent/Tron partnership. </p>
<p>&#8220;We simply would like information to be free and available to everyone. Information is always silenced based on political views or other means of pressure and we want to change that. What our users choose to post is up to them.&#8221; </p>
<p>On the anonymity side, the wallet has built-in support for access over the Tor network, which users can enable in the configuration file. </p>
<p>The QMC team itself hasn&#8217;t revealed any of its members to the public either, but notes that this may change in the future. A full whitepaper speccing out the project objectives and details is in the works as well.</p>
<p>The QMC wallet and the QMT search tool are available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, with iOS and Android versions being planned for next year. The roadmap also includes other plans, such as an API to link torrent sites to the QMC database, and the option for private torrent trackers to accept payments in QMC. </p>
<p><center><strong>The roadmap</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/49db2309.qmcroadmap.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/qmcroadmap.png" alt="" width="600" height="472" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162488"></center> </p>
<p>It&#8217;s hard to tell where a project like this will go, and whether it can deliver on its promises. That said, if it manages to get widespread adoption, copyright holders are not going to be pleased.  </p>
<p>The QMC team, meanwhile, is moving full steam ahead. More information and background on the project is available in the <a href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5036896.0">Bitcoin Talk</a> forums, or through <a href="http://web.qmcoin.gq/">the website</a> that was put up this week.  </p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162565
title: Eleven Sports Ignores UK “Football Blackout” to Beat Streaming Piracy
uri: Eleven-Sports-Ignores-UK-Football-Blackout-to-Beat-Streaming-Pir
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/yUvt_g2YUks/
content:
<p><a href="media/32889e36.roja1.png" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/roja1.png"><img src="media/30029f18.roja1.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/roja1.png" alt="" width="250" height="162" class="alignright size-full wp-image-107288"></a>Fans in the UK looking for a top-tier football fix on a Saturday afternoon have a simple choice. Go to a football ground and buy a ticket, stream the game online illegally, or don&#8217;t watch matches at all.</p>
<p>This unusual situation is the product of an agreement back in the 1960s, which saw football bosses take protective action to preserve attendances at live matches. Agreeing that airing matches on TV would negatively affect the size of crowds at games, a blanket broadcasting ban was put in place.</p>
<p>Even today, the various leagues in the UK do not permit matches to be aired live between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays, with a few exceptions over the years to accommodate the FA Cup Final. The ban prevents foreign matches from being aired in the UK too, despite most leagues in other EU countries not observing the same restrictions as the UK.</p>
<p>Now, however, a new situation has upset the status quo, with UK-based streaming sports provider <a href="https://www.elevensports.uk/">Eleven Sports</a> ignoring the decades-old ban by broadcasting games from Spain&#8217;s La Liga into the UK during the blackout period. </p>
<p>On September 29, Eleven Sports ignored the blackout and streamed the game between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, which kicked off at 3:15pm. Last Saturday, the broadcaster breached the rules once more and according to the company, it will do so again. The aim, it says, is to generate revenue from football fans who would otherwise turn to illegal streams.</p>
<p>&#8220;We disagree with the ban and will continue to challenge it with the best interest of our customers at heart,&#8221; the company wrote on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElevenSportsUK">Facebook</a>.</p>
<p>The move is supported by Spain&#8217;s top-tier league, La Liga, which says that Eleven&#8217;s actions are pushing the boundaries to challenge illegal services which currently have a monopoly on broadcasts in the UK.</p>
<p>&#8220;We support Eleven Sports in pushing the envelope in making matches available on Saturday afternoons,&#8221; said Joris Evers, La Liga’s chief communications officer, as cited by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-10/spanish-soccer-league-backs-channel-that-flouted-u-k-match-ban">Bloomberg</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;People are watching football either through piracy or on betting websites anyway,&#8221; Evers added. &#8220;Upholding the ban does not make much sense.&#8221;</p>
<p>The broadcasting ban in the UK is seen by many as both old-fashioned and protectionist. Many fans have zero intention of attending grounds so the convenience of watching games from home is certainly attractive. It&#8217;s a market opportunity that&#8217;s exclusively exploited by illicit IPTV providers and pirate sites, which has caused the Premier League to obtain <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/premier-league-obtains-piracy-blocking-order-for-2018-19-season-180719/">blocking injunctions</a> in an effort to prevent viewing.</p>
<p>According to corporate sports law expert <a href="https://www.charlesrussellspeechlys.com/en/people/s/satish-khandke/">Satish Khandke</a>, this revolutionary move by Eleven Sports has the potential to completely undermine the UK&#8217;s &#8220;blackout&#8221; period.</p>
<p>&#8220;[E]leven might argue that the blackout is unnecessary and anti-competitive, particularly as it is only operated in one EU member state, and so is unenforceable. If the blackout is not enforced or is successfully challenged, it is likely that companies having rights to show overseas games in the UK would all start to show them on Saturday afternoons,&#8221; Khandke <a href="http://www.cityam.com/265019/legal-qa-why-has-eleven-sports-breached-uk-saturday">notes</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;Once that happens, then the UK blackout would probably end as it could not be enforced selectively against some broadcasters but not others. That would mean that domestic matches could also be broadcast in the UK on Saturday afternoons – ending the status of Saturday afternoons as a &#8216;haven&#8217; from televised football.&#8221;</p>
<p>If the &#8220;blackout&#8221; was abandoned, it would raise issues for the dozens of pirate IPTV providers currently supplying into the UK. They currently enjoy a somewhat lucrative monopoly, with many subscribers buying pirate packages to enjoy 3:00pm games.</p>
<p>Having official competition would certainly make life more difficult, with price becoming the only obstacle to prevent consumers from going legal.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162570
title: PayPal Bans Cheat Site After PUBG Copyright Complaint
uri: PayPal-Bans-Cheat-Site-After-PUBG-Copyright-Complaint
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/rY3ho_dotbs/
content:
<p><img src="media/ef5d899a.paypalbanned.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/paypalbanned.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="206" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162572" srcset="https://torrentfreak.com/images/paypalbanned.jpg 277w, https://torrentfreak.com/images/paypalbanned-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 277px) 100vw, 277px">PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is without a doubt one of hottest games at the moment.</p>
<p>It has been a goldmine for PUBG Corporation, one that it protects with tooth and nail, in the courtroom and beyond. </p>
<p>Earlier this year several <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/epic-settles-with-copyright-infringing-fortnight-cheater-pubg-cheaters-arrested-180502/">Chinese people were arrested</a> for their alleged involvement with cheats, for example. But the problem is so widespread that traditional law enforcement efforts are not enough for the company. </p>
<p>This week, someone involved with a prominent game cheating service informed TorrentFreak that PUBG is directly going after its financial resources. The site, which prefers to remain unnamed in public, lost its PayPal account following a copyright complaint.</p>
<p>&#8220;We have been with PayPal for 12  years selling undetected cheats for multiplayer games but they have decided to lock our accounts and freeze our assets for 180 days,&#8221; the source tells us. </p>
<p>The accompanying email from PayPal specifically mentioned PUBG as the source of this ban. According to the payment provider, the alleged copyright infringement violates its terms of service.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are contacting you as we have received a report that your website [redacted] is currently infringing upon the intellectual property of PUBG Corporation. Such infringement also violates PayPal&#8217;s Acceptable Use Policy,&#8221; PayPal&#8217;s email read.</p>
<p>The cheat provider, who says that several of its resellers were arrested in the Chinese law enforcement actions earlier, clearly sees the tide changing. Selling cheats is more and more being framed as a criminal activity. </p>
<p>PUBG&#8217;s actions are part of a large attack on cheaters, which also involves the companies behind other popular titles such as <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/epic-sues-fortnite-cheaters-for-copyright-infringement-171012/">Fortnite</a> and <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/gta-vs-take-two-wants-lying-cheat-maker-to-pay-up-180901/">GTA V</a>. While the approaches differ, they all use copyright infringement claims as part of their strategy.</p>
<p>Our source says that after the PayPal ban, its customers are now required to pay with cryptocurrency. While most are not too happy about this, sales are reported to have increased. </p>
<p>&#8220;Interestingly, while many of our customers complain that we don&#8217;t support PayPal they all sign up at Coinbase, Kraken and BitPay to be able to buy our products,&#8221; the source mentioned. </p>
<p>&#8220;At this rate, we are converting about 7,000 to 9,000 gamers every month to CryptoCurrency. The BitCoin Community should thank PayPal for this boost &#8211; it appears that other websites had similar issues and are now only selling through cryptocurrency.&#8221; </p>
<p>Interestingly, several developers also noticed that PUBG was actively scanning for data on their local machines, uploading content back to their servers. It appears that the company may be gathering more information on cheat developers this way, but this claim has not been substantiated thus far.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162441
title: Private Torrent Site Operators Ordered to Pay $440k Damages
uri: Private-Torrent-Site-Operators-Ordered-to-Pay-440k-Damages
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/dLxjYiTqqSE/
content:
<p><img src="media/1aacf977.rarat.png" data-original-source="https://torrentfreak.com/images/rarat.png" width="250" height="90" class="alignright size-large">While sites like The Pirate Bay have become household names due to their resilience and high-profile among users, copyright holders, and law enforcement bodies, there&#8217;s a vibrant underbelly of lesser-known torrent platforms.</p>
<p>Often working on an invitation-only basis, these &#8216;private&#8217; trackers, as they&#8217;re known, fly comparatively under the mainstream radar. Nevertheless, few escape the negative attention of copyright holders who are keen to bring them to their knees.</p>
<p>One such platform was Rarat.org, which achieved local fame in Sweden after it grew to become one of the country&#8217;s top private torrent sites. During November 2016, however, it became clear that the show was over.</p>
<p>In a message posted to the site&#8217;s homepage, it was revealed that the platform&#8217;s operators were in trouble and the site had been shut down.</p>
<p>“This week Rarat was subject to a search, seizure, and arrest. This follows a 2013 complaint from a film company that tracked down our PayPal payments. Damages in the millions of krona are feared. The site will now be closed,” the notice read.</p>
<p>Around a month later, Rights Alliance lawyer Henrik Pontén, who represents several copyright holders, said that Nordisk Film, SF, and Disney had filed a criminal complaint against Rarat back in 2013.</p>
<p>As mentioned in the Rarat announcement, PayPal &#8211; following requests from Rights Alliance &#8211; assisted in the case. This allowed the authorities to identify the person who had been receiving Rarat’s donations. A special unit of Sweden’s Department of National Police Operations then managed to track down one of the site&#8217;s operators.</p>
<p>He was arrested and taken in for questioning on suspicion of copyright infringement. Several computers were also seized as evidence during a house search. Stockholm’s Public Prosecution Office later <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/dreamhack-organizer-arrested-in-torrent-site-crackdown-161121/">confirmed</a> that the investigation was at an early stage and may turn up more suspects.</p>
<p>During the almost two years that followed, little was heard about the case. This week, however, it was <a href="https://www.svt.se/nyheter/snabbkollen/drev-fildelningssajt-far-miljonboter">revealed</a> that two men in their thirties have been handed conditional sentences for their roles in running the site.</p>
<p>The pair, from the city of Jönköping in southern Sweden, were sentenced by Sweden&#8217;s Patent and Market Court for distributing at least 113 pirated films via Rarat. They were ordered to pay a total of SEK 4 million (US$440k) in damages to rightsholders.</p>
<p>Anti-piracy outfit Rights Alliance, which was involved in the case from the beginning, said in a statement this week that Rarat specialized in distributing Swedish films very early, often before they had been officially released. This, Rights Alliance said, resulted in &#8220;extraordinary damage&#8221; to &#8220;cultural heritage&#8221;.</p>
<p>Anders Nilsson, a writer on the movie Lockdown that was pre-released on Rarat, condemned the Court for handing down what he perceives to be an overly lenient sentence.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a scandal that the punishment is so low for stealing the movies we create and putting them out before they premiere,&#8221; Nilsson said.</p>
<p>&#8220;The effect is just the same as stealing the salary for our work, and it is also done by commercial organized crime,&#8221; he added.</p>
<p>Condemnation also came from Henrik Pontén of Rights Alliance.</p>
<p>&#8220;The problems with film piracy are far greater in Sweden than in other countries. The low punishment has no effect and new illegal film services appear all the time,&#8221; Pontén said.</p>
<p>&#8220;Sweden&#8217;s very high acceptance for infringing the rights of film creators has led to huge and permanent damage to the sensitive Swedish film industry.&#8221;</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162634
title: Epic Games Sues YouTuber ‘Golden Modz’ Over ‘Magical’ Fortnite Powers
uri: Epic-Games-Sues-YouTuber-Golden-Modz-Over-Magical-Fortnite
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/FmHbG1mKOaQ/
content:
<p><img src="media/ee55858a.golden.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/golden.png" alt="" width="277" height="126" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162670">Last year Epic Games started to sue several Fortnite cheaters, accusing them of copyright infringement.</p>
<p>With these lawsuits the company hopes to stop the cheaters and send a clear message to others who do the same. However, Fortnite cheating remains rampant. </p>
<p>This week Epic Games continued its efforts by suing a rather prominent target, Golden Modz, who they&#8217;ve identified as Brandon Lucas. With more than 1.7 million subscribers on YouTube, he is the most high profile target we&#8217;ve seen thus far.</p>
<p>The complaint, filed at a North Carolina Federal Court, accuses &#8216;Golden Modz&#8217; of copyright infringement and also names Colton Conter, a.k.a. &#8216;Exentric,&#8217; as a second defendant.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is a copyright infringement, breach of contract, and tortious interference case in which the Defendants are infringing Epic’s copyrights by injecting unauthorized cheat software (&#8216;cheats&#8217; or &#8216;hacks&#8217;) into the copyright protected code of Epic’s popular video game Fortnite®,&#8221; Epic Games writes. </p>
<p>Both defendants have displayed their use of cheats in various YouTube videos. By using these cheats, they inject code into the game which modifies the original, which is a clear violation of copyright law, according to Epic Games. </p>
<p>Even worse, Golden Modz also stands accused of selling cheats online through the websites goldengodz.com and gtagods.com, which are often advertised in his gameplay videos. </p>
<p>&#8220;Lucas is operating these websites and selling these cheats and accounts for his own personal enrichment. He posts videos of people using the cheats for the same reason. His ill-gotten gains come at the expense of Epic and members of the Fortnite community.&#8221;</p>
<p><center><strong>Cheats for sale</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/4e4a49c4.goldengodz.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/goldengodz.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="309" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162666"></center></p>
<p>Golden Modz and Exentric team up on occasion, which appears to be the case in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb-I0LkemjQ">this video</a>. They refer to their cheats as magical powers, informing viewers where to buy these, while hosting giveaways as well.</p>
<p>&#8220;At the end of the stream, I’m gonna do a three month of Fortnite magical powers giveaway. Definitely not cheats – wink wink – its magical powers okay,&#8221; Golden Modz notes.</p>
<p>According to Epic Games and the video&#8217;s title, there is little magical about these powers.</p>
<p>&#8220;In some of their YouTube videos, Defendants play (sometimes together) in duos and squads, and joke that the cheat software gives its users &#8216;magical&#8217; powers, allowing them to &#8216;troll&#8217; Fortnite by killing dozens of other players and &#8216;win&#8217; the game,&#8221; the complaint reads.</p>
<p><center><strong>Teaming up</strong><br></br></center><center></p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
<div class='embed-container'><iframe src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vb-I0LkemjQ' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p></center></p>
<p>The complaint points out several videos where the defendants showcase their hacks and cheats. Epic has asked YouTube to remove several of these, which hasn&#8217;t gone unnoticed. </p>
<p>In fact, last month Golden Modz uploaded a video titled &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh0jiRppKFQ">I am getting sued by fortnite&#8230;</a>&#8221; which, as it turns out, was rather prophetical. In the video, he notes that many other YouTubers are creating these videos, and he doesn&#8217;t really see his actions as problematic.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m almost kind of feeling I&#8217;m being discriminated against by Epic Games you know I&#8217;m just a kid that&#8217;s making YouTube videos and a lot of people were enjoying this,&#8221; Golden Modz said.</p>
<p>Epic Games clearly disagrees and the company wants to be compensated for its losses. They&#8217;re suing both defendants for copyright infringement and breach of contract, adding several other claims including contributory copyright infringement against Golden Modz specifically.</p>
<p>&#8220;Defendants should be permanently enjoined from continuing to engage in the conduct complained of herein, their profits should be disgorged, and they should be ordered to pay Epic&#8217;s damages, attorneys&#8217; fees, and costs related to this action,&#8221; Epic writes. </p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>A copy of the complaint, obtained by TorrentFreak, is available <a href="media/342b7ce0.epic-golden.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/epic-golden.pdf">here (pdf)</a>.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162434
title: Court Rejects Yandex’s Piracy Blocking Appeal as Talks With Rightsholders Falter
uri: Court-Rejects-Yandex-s-Piracy-Blocking-Appeal-as-Talks-With-Rightsho
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/2_FAyWWGw44/
content:
<p><a href="media/560a9ef5.searchman.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/searchman.jpg"><img src="media/e92721d2.searchman.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/searchman.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="156" class="alignright size-full wp-image-135409"></a>Following persistent complaints from copyright holders that Russian Internet giant Yandex has failed to keep &#8216;pirate&#8217; links to TV shows out of its search results, several major broadcasters filed a lawsuit with the Moscow City Court.</p>
<p>Gazprom-Media outlets including TNT, TV-3, 2×2, and Super asked the Court to have ISPs block Yandex’s video indexing platform. The Court complied and gave Yandex until August 30 to remove all of the offending content.</p>
<p>Yandex responded with a refusal to comply, insisting that the law had been misinterpreted and that search engines are not covered by existing legislation. Content should be removed by the sites hosting it, Yandex claimed.</p>
<p>Soon after, however, Yandex changed direction. Fearing that its entire site would be blocked for non-compliance, Yandex removed links to the content and filed an appeal with the Moscow City Court. The search giant wanted the interim order <a href="https://rns.online/internet/Sud-otklonil-isk-Yandeksa-ob-otmene-blokirovki-seriala-Domashnii-arest-v-poiskovoi-vidache-2018-10-08/">rejected</a> in respect of the TV shows owned by TV3 but the appeal failed.</p>
<p>A second appeal by Yandex concerning links to the TNT TV show &#8216;House Arrest&#8217; also failed this week. According to a <a href="https://tass.ru/ekonomika/5648312">TASS</a> report, the Court dismissed the company&#8217;s request to have the preliminary measures protecting the show lifted.</p>
<p>Late August, Yandex found itself responding to further legal action initiated by the TV channels. The lawsuits required the company to &#8220;stop creating technical conditions that ensure the placement of works on the Yandex.ru website&#8221; or face fines of 10,000 rubles ($150) for each instance of infringement of House Arrest and several other TV shows.</p>
<p>The Moscow City Court says it will begin hearing these cases next week.</p>
<p>&#8220;According to the results of the preliminary hearings, consideration of the claim of TNT-TV Network versus Yandex LLC is scheduled for October 15 at 11:00 Moscow time,&#8221; the Court said in a statement.</p>
<p>On the same date, the Court will also hear arguments in the lawsuit filed against Yandex by the TV channels Super, TV3 and 2&#215;2. Each seeks to prevent Yandex from linking to infringing copies of their shows in search results or face fines.</p>
<p>The cases against Yandex have caused an element of confusion in Russia over the limits of current copyright law. In September, Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/russia-to-amend-copyright-law-after-yandex-forced-to-remove-pirate-tv-content-180915/">said</a> that the country’s anti-piracy legislation needs to be “improved” following the Yandex/Gazprom dispute.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, rightsholders and tech companies have been attempting to thrash out the <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/google-yandex-discuss-creation-of-anti-piracy-database-180924/">terms of a memorandum</a> to deal with piracy moving forward. TASS reported Friday that Yandex is prepared to sign first but only if companies including Google, YouTube, and Mail.ru group members vKontakte and others follow.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are in favor of an early resolution of the issue and are ready to be the first to sign the memorandum on the condition that the document will enter into force only after it has been signed by other participants,&#8221; Yandex said.</p>
<p>The comments follow a meeting this week attended by telecoms watchdog Roscomnadzor, Yandex, Mail.ru Group, plus rightsholder representatives Gazprom-Media and the  Association of Film and Television Producers. With the parties still a distance apart on the issue of piracy, Mail.ru suggested the adoption of DMCA-like system to counter infringing content.</p>
<p>&#8220;The best mechanism for interaction between Internet sites and copyright holders, in our opinion, is the international DMCA format, which regulates copyright with the development of new technologies,&#8221; the company said, adding that removing content within 24 hours of a copyright complaint is an accepted standard.</p>
<p>Mail.ru told <a href="https://tass.ru/ekonomika/5665627">TASS</a> that while it already adheres to a strict policy when removing pirate content and believes further measures aren&#8217;t needed, it remains open to further discussion with rightsholders. Yandex reiterated that all parties need to be on board for an agreement to be reached.</p>
<p>“We oppose piracy and consider it necessary to develop a solution that will be transparent and equally applicable to all key Internet services on the market,&#8221; Yandex added in a statement.</p>
<p>&#8220;Such an approach should be fixed at the legislative level. Before the relevant law enters into force, the decision can be formalized as an industry memorandum.&#8221;</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162507
title: Tribler Invented ‘Paid’ Torrent Seeding Over a Decade Ago
uri: Tribler-Invented-Paid-Torrent-Seeding-Over-a-Decade-Ago
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/a71EKu4msoE/
content:
<p><img src="media/750a4c5e.money.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/money.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="200" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-162594">During the early days of BitTorrent, bandwidth was relatively scarce. </p>
<p>Torrent sites encouraged users to keep their clients running, to ensure that downloads would finish in &#8216;just&#8217; a few hours.</p>
<p>Torrent streaming requires even more bandwidth. To address this, a group of top researchers came up with a new idea. What if we treated bandwidth as a currency?</p>
<p>&#8220;P2P dies or thrives depending on how much upload people donate. By introducing electronic &#8216;currency&#8217; for uploads the researchers think they can make P2P HDTV Video on Demand possible,&#8221; <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/harvard-develops-p2p-client-that-uses-bandwidth-as-currency/">we wrote</a>, back in 2007.  </p>
<p>That idea from <a href="https://www.tribler.org/">the Tribler team</a> was first shared with the world more than ten years ago. It wasn&#8217;t without controversy. Some loved it, but others, including someone going by the name of BitTorrent inventor Bram Cohen, were rather skeptical.</p>
<p>&#8220;This will never work. Tit-for-tat is perfect. Give-to-get won&#8217;t work because the top dogs would take all the upload for themselves, thus you get no swarm,&#8221; he wrote, before adding some more context in follow-up comments.</p>
<p><center><strong>Bram&#8217;s comment</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/cbb671cb.bram.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/bram.png" alt="" width="557" height="104" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162592"></center></p>
<p>The commentary didn&#8217;t stop the researchers. Working from Harvard University and the main research lab at Delft University of Technology, they raised millions in funding to continue the project. And it&#8217;s still thriving today. </p>
<p>The Tribler team currently has more than 45 masters students, various thesis students, five dedicated scientific developers, and several professors involved. Aside from the &#8216;bandwidth as currency&#8217; idea, Tribler also implemented several anonymity features over the years. </p>
<p>In January <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/researchers-use-a-blockchain-to-boost-anonymous-torrent-sharing-180129/">they released their first version</a> with an integrated blockchain and tokens. This week, they moved a step further. The latest Tribler <a href="https://www.tribler.org/">7.1 release</a> now has a fully functional token market, which allows users to convert bandwidth into Bitcoin.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is now slowly becoming a reliable and sustainable token economy,&#8221; Tribler leader professor Johan Pouwelse tells TF.</p>
<p>The Tribler torrent client is unique in that it&#8217;s entirely decentralized. The search results that appear when users type in a keyword don’t come from a central index. Instead, they come directly from other peers.</p>
<p><center><strong>Tribler client</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/7c4a9458.triblerclient.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/triblerclient.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="512" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162602"></center></p>
<p>Users of the application can exchange data with users of other clients, of course, but the tokens are only shared within the network. </p>
<p>The blockchain approach is not unique. While Tron&#8217;s proposal is catching most headlines, also because of its acquisition of BitTorrent Inc., there are others working on similar sharing economies.  </p>
<p>&#8220;Tron is the latest team to begin working on this idea. Many teams are dreaming of turning idle computers into cash cows. Filecoin, Sia, Storj, MaidSafe, and Tron are all presenting their own version of this concept. All incompatible. All different,&#8221; professor Pouwelse says.</p>
<p>One of the reasons why bandwidth is extra valuable in the Tribler network is due to the built-in anonymity options. Tribler provides users with pseudo-anonymity by routing the transfers through other users. This means that the amount of bandwidth used by the application increases as well. </p>
<p>To support this Tor-like onion routing, the Tribler team itself operates several exit nodes. These already generate at least one terabyte per day, as can be seen below, and the network is slowly moving to end-to-end encryption.</p>
<p><center><strong>Tribler&#8217;s exit node stats at Leaseweb</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/718793a2.triblerlease.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/triblerlease.png" alt="" width="600" height="298" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162600"></center></p>
<p>The project doesn&#8217;t have a budget that can compete with major crypto projects. However, they have been in this game the longest of all and, operating from a stable academic environment, they&#8217;re not in any rush either. </p>
<p>&#8220;There is one thing more precious than money, and that&#8217;s time,&#8221; Pouwelse notes, adding that there are hundreds of students available who can contribute to the Tribler project for free, as part of their education.</p>
<p>&#8220;With 950 starting computer science students and 75 &#8216;Blockchain Engineering&#8217; masters graduating each year, Delft University is now the number one blockchain powerhouse in Europe,&#8221; professor Pouwelse says.</p>
<p>Whether time or money is the main advantage, the success of all these blockchain-related projects relies on how good they really are, and how they work on a broader scale. Will they mostly benefit the &#8216;bandwidth-rich,&#8217; or does the entire ecosystem profit?</p>
<p>Quite frankly, there is no answer to this question yet. </p>
<p>Perhaps it&#8217;s a good idea to end with a comment from Bram Cohen as well, again dating back <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/harvard-develops-p2p-client-that-uses-bandwidth-as-currency/">11 years</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;I wish the Tribler team the best of luck. They&#8217;re going to need it. :) Over and out.&#8221;</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162436
title: Fuckr Developer, Right or Not, Backs Down in Fear of Grindr Copyright Lawsuit
uri: Fuckr-Developer-Right-or-Not-Backs-Down-in-Fear-of-Grindr-Copyright
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/GgFYKsN-Kb8/
content:
<p><a href="media/cbc2f563.Grindr-Xtra-icon-iOS7-300x300-e1537861067365.png" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/Grindr-Xtra-icon-iOS7-300x300-e1537861067365.png"><img src="media/7a6ad3aa.Grindr-Xtra-icon-iOS7-300x300-e1537861067365.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/Grindr-Xtra-icon-iOS7-300x300-e1537861067365.png" alt="" width="260" height="260" class="alignright size-full wp-image-161823"></a>Released back in 2015, the Fuckr desktop application provides controversial enhanced access to the popular Grindr dating service.</p>
<p>Among other things, Fuckr gives Grindr users the ability to precisely locate hundreds of other users while revealing usually hidden information such as photos, HIV status, and even preferred sexual positions.</p>
<p>Early September, Grindr hit Fuckr with a DMCA notice, targeted at its official Github repository. Fuckr was taken down by Github but perhaps surprisingly, its developer &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; chose to fight back.</p>
<p>Responding with a DMCA counter-notice, &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; denied Grindr&#8217;s assertion that Fuckr “facilitate[s] unauthorized access to the Grindr app by circumventing Grindr’s access controls” and refuting that it circumvents &#8220;a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work” protected under the Copyright Act.</p>
<p>Github policy determines that this counter-notice would trigger the reinstatement of Fuckr within 14 days but as highlighted in our <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/grindr-will-now-have-to-sue-fuckr-to-keep-controversial-tool-down-180930/">earlier article</a>, it also opened up a can of worms for both Grindr and &#8216;tomlandia&#8217;.</p>
<p>If Grindr wanted to keep the tool down it would have to sue &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; in the United States, meaning that an expensive legal process would ensue. It would be a put-up-or-shut-up moment for both parties, but with Grindr clearly having the most resources, the experience would probably prove financially uncomfortable for &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; at best and potentially ruinous if a court eventually ruled against him.</p>
<p>It now transpires that &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; wants no part in this kind of war. Probably recognizing the impossible situation he finds himself in, the developer has now backed away. In a fresh communication with Github, &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; suggests that having his software reinstated on Github isn&#8217;t a big enough prize to warrant a fight with Grindr&#8217;s lawyers.</p>
<p>&#8220;I wish to retract my DMCA counter notice concerning my repository tomlandia/fuckr,&#8221; he writes.</p>
<p>&#8220;While I don’t believe my code infringes Grindr LLC’s copyright in any way, I am no longer willing to face legal action in a foreign court simply to keep this project hosted on Github.&#8221;</p>
<p><center><strong>Fuckr backs away from legal action</strong><br></br></center><center><a href="media/e9eb0556.fuckr-retract-e1539077208326.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/fuckr-retract-e1539077208326.png"><img src="media/e9eb0556.fuckr-retract-e1539077208326.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/fuckr-retract-e1539077208326.png" alt="" width="600" height="173" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162475"></a></center></p>
<p>There are a couple of interesting pieces of information in the retraction, not least the suggestion that &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; isn&#8217;t located in the United States. Being sued in a foreign court is rarely fun and never cheap, so financial considerations certainly played a part in this withdrawal.</p>
<p>Perhaps more importantly, however, is that &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; still maintains that his software creation does not infringe on Grindr&#8217;s copyrights in any way. Of course, this is the kind of thing that would need to be determined by a court, which brings us back to the potential David versus Goliath battle that &#8216;tomlandia&#8217; is trying to avoid.</p>
<p>The situation is certainly interesting, since it raises important questions about the nature of the DMCA.</p>
<p>While copyright holders often complain about the law&#8217;s ineffectiveness, DMCA takedown notices (when filed against sites like Github) wield considerable power. They have the ability to neutralize <em>allegedly infringing</em> content almost immediately but if targets dare to dispute the notice, they immediately sign up to an expensive legal battle.</p>
<p>This situation may be tolerable if both parties are healthy corporations but when a company like Grindr targets a Github developer, the former is almost certainly in a position to outgun the latter. Put simply, unless you&#8217;re prepared to lose everything, fighting one of these cases is completely out of the question for most people.</p>
<p>We&#8217;ll probably never know if Fuckr was indeed infringing Grindr&#8217;s copyrights but due to the way the DMCA works, victory, in this case, has been determined by those with the deepest pockets. And all they had to do was send a single email to Github and let fear do the rest.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162128
title: Explicit Music Piracy Warnings are Seen As Most Effective
uri: Explicit-Music-Piracy-Warnings-are-Seen-As-Most-Effective
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/JidbF_bxddw/
content:
<p><img src="media/3e1415da.stealacar.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/stealacar.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="166" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162353">Over the past decades, the entertainment industries have tried out numerous anti-piracy campaigns. </p>
<p>From &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up863eQKGUI">don&#8217;t copy that floppy</a>,&#8221; &#8220;copyright alerts,&#8221; to &#8220;get it right,&#8221; and everything in between, it has been tried. </p>
<p>The problem with these campaigns is that it&#8217;s hard to measure the direct effect. This prompted psychology researchers Joanne Ullman and Clayton Silver from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to conduct a controlled experiment. </p>
<p>The results, published in <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1541931218621309">an article</a> titled &#8220;Perceived Effectiveness of Potential Music Piracy Warnings&#8221; show that some warnings are more effective than others.</p>
<p>The researchers conducted a study where students would see a series of piracy warning labels. These came with one of four icons, depicted below, as well as one of the signal words; NOTICE, IMPORTANT, and STOP. For each of these, five different warning categories were created. </p>
<p><em>1. Icon + Signal word &#8211; No warning<br>
2. Icon + Signal word &#8211; “This is illegal”<br>
3. Icon + Signal word &#8211; “This is illegal. You may be fined.<br>
4. Icon + Signal word &#8211; “This is illegal. You may be monitored.”<br>
5. Icon + Signal word &#8211; “This is illegal. You may be monitored and you may be fined.”</em></p>
<p><center><strong>4 icons were tested with varying signal words and warnings</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/fcac85ca.labelspiracy.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/labelspiracy.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="191" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162304"></center></p>
<p>The students then had to rate each of these 60 warning messages for perceived effectiveness. These ratings were then analyzed to see if some are believed to work better than others, which was indeed the case. </p>
<p>The computer icon with a download arrow and a slash through it received the highest rating. The one of the right, with the cross and without the computer, was seen as least effective. </p>
<p>&#8220;The highest perceived warning effectiveness icon was the computer with the download paired with a slash; whereas, the no computer with the download followed by the cross, had the lowest perceived warning effectiveness,&#8221; the researchers write. </p>
<p>As for the signal words,  both IMPORTANT and STOP were seen as more effective than NOTICE. This is something senders of infringement &#8216;notices&#8217; might want to keep in mind. </p>
<p>When it comes to warnings, the combination of &#8220;this is illegal&#8221; with &#8220;you may be monitored and fined&#8221; received the highest perceived effectiveness rating. The control group where no warning was shown was the least effective. </p>
<p>These findings suggest that the more explicit warnings work better. <img src="media/8a3a25d9.stopillegal.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/stopillegal.png" alt="" width="277" height="189" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162137">Indeed, that&#8217;s also the case when the researchers pinpointed the most effective combinations of all, with an example pictured on the right.  </p>
<p>The most effective warning includes a computer for context, a download symbol, a slash symbol, the signal words STOP or IMPORTANT, and a message with all consequences (fined and monitored). </p>
<p>It is worth noting that these results are about &#8216;perceived&#8217; effectiveness. While that&#8217;s a decent indicator, it doesn&#8217;t say anything about how these warnings would change the behavior of an actual audience of pirates. </p>
<p>This experiment is limited to a small set of warnings, but the researchers believe that developing an effective warning label can help to deter piracy and inform consumers.</p>
<p>The research suggests that explicit warnings are better than vague ones. In addition, we would caution that some campaigns can also go too far. Over the past decade, the &#8220;Piracy. It&#8217;s a crime&#8221; PSA has been <a href="https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/piracy-its-a-crime">mocked and ridiculed</a> for being overly dramatic, without much substance.</p>
<p>Joanne Ullman, lead author of the article, tells us that the &#8220;Piracy. It&#8217;s a Crime&#8221; campaign isn&#8217;t particularly informative and therefore not very explicit. Providing explicit information about the risks appears to be most effective.</p>
<p>&#8220;This may be of value to some consumers given that we all have varying levels of risk aversion due to personality and/or situational factors,&#8221; Ullman says.  </p>
<p>&#8220;For others, perhaps being reminded of these restrictions would embolden them to take legal and proactive measures to change current policies. The overall aim of this research is to maximize the capacity of people to make sound decisions for themselves.&#8221;</p>
<p><center><strong>Piracy. It&#8217;s a Crime</strong><br></br></center><center></p>
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<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162552
title: Legal Search Engine with Pirate Keywords Confuses ‘Web Sheriff’
uri: Legal-Search-Engine-with-Pirate-Keywords-Confuses-Web-Sheriff
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/JC5YgGIaKZ0/
content:
<p><img src="media/5fb41d96.websheriff.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/websheriff.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="130" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162625">The <a href="http://www.websheriff.com/">Web Sheriff</a>, aka John Giacobbi, has been protecting the Internet from pirates for well over a decade.</p>
<p>In the early days, he became somewhat of a cult figure thanks to his polite style and trademarked <a href="media/c2675b17.web-sheriff-mistake.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/web-sheriff-mistake.jpg">letterhead</a>. This set him apart from other anti-piracy crusaders who usually sent DMCA takedown requests with a more aggressive lawyer-like style.</p>
<p>The Sheriff once had a lively discussion with The Pirate Bay folks, who then sent him <a href="media/7a83966c.interweb.pdf" data-original-source="http://thepiratebay.se/static/interweb.pdf">this invoice</a> fax. Not much later relationships deteriorated even further after Giacobbi announced he would sue the site&#8217;s operators in the US, France, and Sweden, but not much came of that. </p>
<p>In recent years the Web Sheriff hasn&#8217;t been parading in public much, but together with his deputies, he remains on duty. In recent years he has sent thousands and thousands of takedown requests to Google, for example.</p>
<p>We like to stay updated on the Sheriff&#8217;s accomplishments and when we looked at some recent submissions one targeted domain name stood out. Over the past weeks, <a href="https://www.film.nl/">Film.nl</a> was targeted twice on behalf of the American film <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_(distributor)">distributor NEON</a>. The first time it listed a &#8220;<a href="https://lumendatabase.org/notices/17253991">Borg vs McEnroe</a>&#8221; URL and later an &#8220;<a href="https://lumendatabase.org/notices/17385587">I, Tonya</a>&#8221; link. </p>
<p>Granted, if you look at the pages in question, they might look suspicious with terms such as &#8220;I, Tonya torrent&#8221; and &#8220;I, Tonya downloaded,&#8221; surrounded by incomprehensible Dutch words.</p>
<p><center><strong>I, Tonya on Film.nl</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/84c6f1a0.itonya.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/itonya.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="391" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162684"></center></p>
<p>Way above that, however, there are eleven legal platforms listed. These include iTunes, Google Play and various local movie platforms, something a human reviewer can hardly miss. </p>
<p>Film.nl is by no means a pirate site. It&#8217;s exactly the opposite. The site was <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/film-industrys-latest-search-engine-draws-traffic-with-pirate-keywords-170201/">launched by members of the Dutch film industry last year</a> to provide people an all-in-one search engine for legal content. </p>
<p>The keywords such as &#8220;torrent&#8221; and downloaden&#8221; are used to draw in pirates who search for illegal content using these terms. If we translate the Dutch text below &#8220;I, Tonya torrent&#8221; we read the following. </p>
<p>&#8220;Do you think that in order to watch I, Tonya, you still have to find a torrent? Good news: that&#8217;s no longer the case. Nowadays there are several alternatives to illegal torrents. So you no longer have to search for torrents on websites that are bursting with viruses.&#8221;</p>
<p>A clever way to confuse some pirates, perhaps, but maybe it&#8217;s an idea to alert the Web Sheriff as well next time, before he starts shooting at innocent targets again.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162703
title: VOD Site Branded “Notorious Market” Hits Back at the MPAA
uri: VOD-Site-Branded-Notorious-Market-Hits-Back-at-the-MPAA
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/iTN1DcarO-M/
content:
<p><a href="media/fcdab572.ustrb.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/ustrb.jpg"><img src="media/7b941d96.ustrb.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/ustrb.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="172" class="alignright size-full wp-image-132637"></a>Every year, trade groups representing movie, TV show, music, video game, and a broad range of other content companies make submissions to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).</p>
<p>These documents outline sites, services, platforms and other locations that rightsholders believe should be branded &#8220;notorious markets&#8221; in the USTR&#8217;s annual overview of overseas infringing businesses.</p>
<p>The USTR&#8217;s final report carries significant weight and often guides the U.S. Government’s attitudes toward foreign governments when it comes to enforcement of intellectual property rights.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-reports-notorious-piracy-threats-to-the-us-government-181003/">latest submission by the MPAA</a> highlights many of the usual suspects, including The Pirate Bay, RARBG, 1337x, Rutracker, and Torrentz2. However, it also includes a lesser-known Poland-based video site that on closer inspection seems a little out of place.</p>
<p>&#8220;Cda.pl is Poland’s most popular piracy website where users from around the world find and view copyright infringing content,&#8221; the MPAA wrote.</p>
<p>&#8220;It is so big that it is now more popular than several legitimate VOD services in the country. Cda.pl had 68.13 million worldwide visitors with nearly 13 million unique visitors in July 2018 according to SimilarWeb data and currently enjoys a global Alexa rank of 1,477 and a local rank of just 15 in Poland.&#8221;</p>
<p>Continuing to paint a picture of blatant piracy, the MPAA highlights that the owner of CDA.pl &#8211; CWMedia S.A. &#8211; attempts to hide where their site is hosted, using Cloudflare to mask server IP addresses and reverse proxies located at OVH in Poland to &#8220;curb rights holders’ ability to identify its precise host.&#8221;</p>
<p>While these kinds of claims are common in MPAA filings against &#8216;pirate&#8217; sites, according to the company the MPAA is well off the mark with its &#8216;notorious market&#8217; branding. As a result, it will now &#8220;intervene in the case&#8221; using official channels.</p>
<p>&#8220;CDA.pl is a very large and very popular service, often more popular than other VOD services in Poland. Yes it&#8217;s true. We&#8217;re big and we&#8217;re popular,&#8221; the site said in a statement.</p>
<p>&#8220;On CDA.pl, you can find videos that users have uploaded that breach copyright law. Yes, such cases happen, just like everyone else &#8211; we emphasize everyone, including social video websites where users add content. The same problem applies to CDA.pl, as well as YouTube, Dailymotion, Vimeo and others.&#8221;</p>
<p>The site says that in common with similar upload platforms, it takes positive steps to deal with infringing content when it becomes aware of it. In accordance with Polish and EU law, CDA.pl says it utilizes a notice-and-takedown system which removes infringing content without delay.</p>
<p>Furthermore, in common with services like YouTube, CDA.pl also provides rightsholders and other interested parties with direct access to tools that allow content to be removed from the platform.</p>
<p>&#8220;The law does not require us to do this, but it is a solution that significantly increases the effectiveness of combating illegal content. It is also worth remembering that the content in question can only appear on a specific part of CDA.pl, which is created by users (i.e the so-called user-generated content),&#8221; it adds.</p>
<p>The site points out that other areas of its site are dedicated to hosting content provided by verified submitters, partners and copyright holders, including its CDA Premium service which offers paid access to films supplied under licensing agreements made with distributors.</p>
<p>&#8220;CDA Premium is one of the most popular services of this type in Poland, and due to licenses, the Company paid PLN 5.4m ($1.45m) to distributors in the first half of this year alone!&#8221; the company notes.</p>
<p>On the claim that the CDA.pl uses Cloudflare to hide its location, the company appears to be even more irritated by the MPAA&#8217;s report to the USTR, noting that they&#8217;re either ignorant of the uses for the technology or are simply acting maliciously.</p>
<p>To clarify, CDA.pl says it uses Cloudflare for two reasons &#8211; to protect against DDoS attacks and to speed up the website for end users &#8211; and the service is not used to &#8220;hide&#8221; from anyone. Complaints can easily be made to the company so knowing where a server is located isn&#8217;t helpful, it adds.</p>
<p>&#8220;The entities whose rights are violated does not need to know the server IP address, he must be able to contact the website administrator for this (all contact details are available on the website). We remind you that you can report problems by e-mail or using the &#8216;report violation&#8217; button, which is found next to every video on CDA.pl,&#8221; the company concludes.</p>
<p>It is relatively rare for a company reported as a &#8216;notorious market&#8217; to fight back publicly so it will be interesting to see how this develops. Whether the USTR will choose to omit CDA.pl from its final report remains to be seen. Thus far, however, the MPAA isn&#8217;t well known for making publication retractions.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162710
title: Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week on BitTorrent – 10/15/18
uri: Top-10-Most-Pirated-Movies-of-The-Week-on-BitTorrent-10-15-18
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/X1rI-rmpzwI/
content:
<p><img src="media/b7dd7704.antman-1.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/antman-1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="211" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162397">This week we have two newcomers in our chart.</p>
<p>Ant-Man and the Wasp is the most downloaded movie.</p>
<p>The data for our weekly download chart is estimated by TorrentFreak, and is for informational and educational reference only. All the movies in the list are Web-DL/Webrip/HDRip/BDrip/DVDrip unless stated otherwise.</p>
<p><a href="http://TorrentFreak.com/category/dvdrip/feed/"><strong>RSS feed</strong></a> for the articles of the recent weekly movie download charts.</p>
<h5>This week&#8217;s most downloaded movies are:</h5>
<table class="css hover">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="12%"><strong>Movie Rank</strong></th>
<th width="15%"><strong>Rank <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-pirated-movies-week-bittorrent-10-08-18/">last week</a></strong></th>
<th><strong>Movie name</strong></th>
<th width="18%"><strong>IMDb Rating / Trailer</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tfoot>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">Most downloaded movies via torrents</td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>(1)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095030/">Ant-Man and the Wasp</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095030/">7.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUkn-enk2RU&#038;t=19s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6911608/">Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6911608/">7.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd4cLL_MP7M">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>(2)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5220122/">Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5220122/">6.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EzB6eTni2s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>(3)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6133466/">The First Purge</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6133466/">5.2</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL29y0ah92w">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>(4)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/">Solo: A Star Wars Story</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/">7.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>(6)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052474/">Sicario: Day of the Soldado</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052474/">7.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIMChzE_aCo">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>(5)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4881806/">Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom </a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4881806/">6.5</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn9mMeWcgoM">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>(9)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/">The Meg</a> (Subbed HDRip)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/">6.0</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLk0NPRFAc">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>9</strong></td>
<td>(8)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5758778/">Skyscraper </a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5758778/">6.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9QePUT-Yt8">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>10</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270797/">Venom</a>  (TS/Cam)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270797/">7.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLCn88bfW1o">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162715
title: Japan Plans to Criminalize Pirate Link Sites, Up to Five Years in Jail for Operators
uri: Japan-Plans-to-Criminalize-Pirate-Link-Sites-Up-to-Five-Years-in-Jail
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/xa-bnJtwS0w/
content:
<p><img src="media/68673fe7.anime-pirate.jpg" data-original-source="https://torrentfreak.com/images/anime-pirate.jpg" width="222" height="159" class="alignright size-large">For the past several months, authorities in Japan have been grappling with the thorny issue of online piracy. The country has attempted to deal with the issue previously but there now appears to be greater momentum.</p>
<p>Back in September an advisory panel for the Agency for Cultural Affairs <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/japan-government-presents-pirate-website-blocking-proposals-180918/">recommended</a> that &#8216;pirate&#8217; indexing sites (known locally as &#8216;leech&#8217; sites) should be outlawed. These platforms host no infringing content themselves but provide hyperlinks to content hosted elsewhere.</p>
<p>Unlike in Europe where such sites are illegal when they deliberately provide access to content on a for-profit basis, in Japan there is no law that specifically renders them illegal. An estimated 200 &#8216;leech&#8217; sites exist locally and plugging the legal loopholes could make a significant impact on piracy rates, the government believes.</p>
<p>The aim will be to criminalize the act of knowingly linking to copyrighted content, or linking to the same when site operators should &#8220;reasonably be expected&#8221; to know that the content is infringing. Copyright holders will be able to have such links taken down and when site operators fail to respond, hefty sentences will apply.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20181015/p2a/00m/0na/001000c">Mainichi</a>, the proposals currently contain a recommendation for prison sentences of up to five years for the worst offenders. The publication notes that in October last year, the people behind Japan&#8217;s largest &#8216;leech&#8217; site were arrested on suspicion of copyright infringement but authorities were only able to take action due to parallel bootlegging offenses.</p>
<p>The agency will submit proposals for amendments to the Copyright Act to lawmakers in 2019. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to introduce a site-blocking regime in Japan to deal with overseas sites that infringe copyright. </p>
<p>Earlier this year, ISPs NTT Communications Corp., NTT Docomo Inc. and NTT Plala Inc. <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/japan-isp-says-it-will-voluntarily-block-pirate-sites-as-major-portal-disappears-180424/">voluntarily blocked</a> access three sites identified by the government – Mangamura, AniTube! and MioMio – adding that more sites could be blocked upon request.</p>
<p>The government, however, is keen to have blocking measures <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/japan-government-presents-pirate-website-blocking-proposals-180918/">enshrined in law</a>, along with pirate sites being removed from search results and site operators prevented from generating revenue from advertising.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162514
title: GTA ‘Cheat’ Developers Have Homes Searched and Assets Frozen
uri: GTA-Cheat-Developers-Have-Homes-Searched-and-Assets-Frozen
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/a-1OL0eSwz8/
content:
<p><img src="media/fbb6f139.gtanew.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/gtanew.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="238" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162562">Over the past year there has been a wave of copyright infringement lawsuits against alleged cheaters or cheat makers.</p>
<p>More than a handful have been filed in the US, but there&#8217;s also been some action in Australia recently. </p>
<p>In one case, filed last month, GTA V developer Rockstar Games and its parent company Take-Two Interactive are going after several people believed to be linked to the popular &#8220;Infamous&#8221; cheat.</p>
<p>This lawsuit is notable because the Federal Court of Australia has signed off on several broad enforcement actions. Not only are the defendants restrained from any cheating related activity, they are also the subject of a search and assets freezing order.</p>
<p>The orders are issued against the person or persons known as Christopher Anderson, Cycus Lesser, Sfinktah, Koroush Anderson, and Koroush Jeddian. Per the court&#8217;s order, all are prohibited from cheating and can be imprisoned if they refuse to comply. </p>
<p><center><strong>Restrained</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/a66f204f.restrained.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/restrained.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="381" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162721"></center></p>
<p>The associated search order identifies two Melbourne premises. It allows a search party to enter the buildings and search, copy, or remove relevant evidence including any computer, electronic storage device, or documents related to “Infamous.” Any cars that are located at these locations can also be searched. </p>
<p>In addition to the search order, the Federal Court also issued a freezing order preventing the defendants from taking out more money than needed for regular expenses. </p>
<p>&#8220;You must not remove from Australia or in any way dispose of, deal with or diminish the value of any of your assets in Australia (Australian assets) up to the unencumbered value of AU$286,609.80 (the Relevant Amount),&#8221; the order states. </p>
<p>This freezing order also applies to any cryptocurrency and other digital currency, including the money stored in the PayPal account that&#8217;s assigned to &#8220;Christopher Anderson.&#8221;</p>
<p>It is likely that Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive will try to obtain copyright infringement related damages, and with the freezing order they can make sure that the money isn&#8217;t spent beforehand. </p>
<p>The orders in question were initially not disclosed, but that restriction has now been lifted. From the information we have available the searches were carried out late last month. In a follow-up order, the federal court ruled that the freezing and other orders should remain in place for now.</p>
<p>The defendant(s) have yet to file a defense, which is expected later this month. Whatever the outcome, these orders and actions reveal that GTA V&#8217;s developer and its parent company are taking cheating rather seriously. </p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>An overview of the various orders is available <a href="media/1ea94d0d.gtaorders.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/gtaorders.pdf">here (pdf)</a>.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162767
title: Court Orders Swedish ISP Telia to Block The Pirate Bay & FMovies
uri: Court-Orders-Swedish-ISP-Telia-to-Block-The-Pirate-Bay-FMovies
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/yFowzdQZHa4/
content:
<p><a href="media/fd06f581.pirate-bay.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/pirate-bay.jpg"><img src="media/2a43984f.pirate-bay.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/pirate-bay.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="207" class="alignright size-full wp-image-53470"></a>In an effort to reduce levels of copyright infringement, content companies and distributors have adopted site-blocking as one of their preferred anti-piracy tools.</p>
<p>The practice is now commonplace across Europe, with many of the main torrent and streaming portals blocked by local ISPs.</p>
<p>In Sweden, &#8216;pirate&#8217; site blocking became a reality in February 2017 when ISP Bredbandsbolaget (Broadband Company) was ordered to block The Pirate Bay and streaming portal Swefilmer.</p>
<p>That process took a long time to come to fruition. The original lawsuit, filed in 2014 by Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music, Nordisk Film, and the Swedish Film Industry, initially went in the ISP&#8217;s favor.</p>
<p>A subsequent appeal, however, saw the rightsholders <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/the-pirate-bay-must-be-blocked-in-sweden-court-of-appeal-rules-170213/">emerge victorious</a>, with Bredbandsbolaget ordered to implement “technical measures” to prevent its customers from accessing the ‘pirate’ sites through a number of domain names and URLs.</p>
<p>For more than a year, other ISPs in Sweden have been able to provide subscribers with access to The Pirate Bay, since the earlier case was targeted at just one ISP. Now, however, local ISP Telia finds itself in a similar position following an order handed down Monday by the Patent and Market Court.</p>
<p>Following an application by a huge coalition of content companies and groups including the Swedish Film Industry, Nordisk Film, Disney, Paramount, Columbia, Disney, and Twentieth Century Fox, Telia must now block subscriber access to several &#8216;pirate&#8217; sites.</p>
<p>As is often the case, torrent favorite The Pirate Bay heads the list, with streaming platforms Fmovies, Dreamfilm and NyaFilmer following closely behind.</p>
<p>Cited by <a href="https://computersweden.idg.se/2.2683/1.708743/domstol-telia-blockera-piratebay">IDG</a>, Per Strömbäck of the Film and TV Industry Cooperation Committee said that a favorable decision was anticipated.</p>
<p>&#8220;The decision was expected and complies with the current legal situation. Now it&#8217;s high time that Telia takes the same responsibility in Sweden as it already does in Denmark and Norway,&#8221; Strömbäck said.</p>
<p>While the move to site blocking in Sweden hasn&#8217;t always plain sailing, last year&#8217;s decision in the Bredbandsbolaget case laid down some valuable pointers.</p>
<p>The Court found that under EU law it is possible for copyright holders to obtain an injunction against ISPs whose services are used to commit copyright infringement, noting that the Swedish Copyright Act should be interpreted “in the light of EU law.”</p>
<p>Before deciding on an injunction, the Court also sought to ensure that any blocking would be proportional. Since sites like The Pirate Bay and similar platforms primarily offer illegally-distributed copyright-protected content, a blocking order is now considered an appropriate response.</p>
<p>The decision handed down Monday is an interim measure valid from October 30. From that date, Telia must prevent its subscribers from accessing the sites listed in the complaint and keep those measures in place until the case is finalized. In the meantime, Telia says it is considering its position.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are surprised by the news and we are going to analyze the decision to decide if we will appeal,&#8221; says Telia spokesperson Iréne Krohn.</p>
<p>&#8220;We believe that legislators and courts should make the assessment. Service providers cannot and do not want to decide what&#8217;s available on the internet.&#8221;</p>
<p>In a reaction to the news, Jon Karlung, CEO of freedom-loving ISP Bahnhof, criticized the court and its decision.</p>
<p>&#8220;It is a specialized court without credibility that represents a special interest,&#8221; he <a href="https://www.sn.se/nyheter-fran-tt/telia-doms-att-blockera-fildelningssajter/">said</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;[Blocking] does not work technically and, in principle, you can not build a filter for everything you dislike on the internet. You are destroying the core of the internet, to communicate freely.&#8221;</p>
<p>The injunction handed down against Bredbandsbolaget last year was the first of its kind in Sweden. It had a time limit of three years and a penalty of around US$56,000 for any breaches. The details on the Telia case will be revealed in due course.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162725
title: Vodlocker Hammers Streaming Sites with JavaScript-based DDoS
uri: Vodlocker-Hammers-Streaming-Sites-with-JavaScript-based-DDoS
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/dXBHsdlzOD4/
content:
<p><img src="media/63558ccd.vodlocker.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/vodlocker.png" alt="" width="250" height="75" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162728">Last year we highlighted a rather interesting service which makes it easy for <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/now-anyone-can-embed-a-pirate-movie-in-a-website-170522/">anyone to embed a pirated movie</a>. </p>
<p>Requiring only an IMDb number, <a href="https://vodlocker.to/">Vodlocker.to</a> allows anyone to embed videos, many of which are pirated. </p>
<p>This turned out to be a welcome feature for many smaller site operators, who use basic scripts to set up a streaming portal with minimal investment. In exchange, Vodlocker can serve some extra ads on these sites, which makes it a win-win for both parties.</p>
<p>More recently, however, it appears that &#8216;someone&#8217; has added some extra code to the Vodlocker site that does more than streaming video or placing ads. As a result, the embedded videos are also being used to DDoS certain video streaming portals. </p>
<p>Looking at the source of the embed pages, we see a piece of JavaScript that attempts to load content from external sites. This is triggered by unwitting visitors; not once, but dozens of times per second. The smaller sites in question, understandably, collapse under this load. </p>
<p><center><strong>The script</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/e0b49a58.script-1.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/script-1.png" alt="" width="600" height="223" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162738"></center></p>
<p>When we checked the site on Monday, Rainierland.com and Movie2k.st were being targeted, resulting in downtime. Today, the code has been updated and it&#8217;s now pointing movie4k.is, which is mostly unreachable as a result.</p>
<p><center><strong>Movie4k.is attack in action</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/8e6b23bf.hammer1.gif" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/hammer1.gif" alt="" width="599" height="307" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162841"></center></p>
<p>It&#8217;s not clear what the motivation for this attack is, or if Vodlocker is perhaps compromised, but it appears to be an intentional effort to take these streaming sites down. </p>
<p>Before the weekend the German news site <a href="https://tarnkappe.info/klon-von-filmpalast-to-mit-ekelhafter-strategie/">Tarnkappe</a> reported that another site, <a href="https://filmpalast.to/">Filmpalast.to</a>, was suffering from a similar DDoS attack. </p>
<p>Many of the sites that rely on these Vodlocker.to embed codes probably have no idea that they are participating in the attacks. The same is true for their visitors, who are unwittingly transformed into an army of stream-watching DDoS bots. </p>
<p>We contacted several of the affected sites for a comment but haven&#8217;t heard back. Vodlocker.to has no contact address listed, so we haven&#8217;t been able to reach out to the site itself.</p>
<p>The JavaScript-based attack itself isn&#8217;t new. Cloudflare previously highlighted the problem, describing it as a growing issue on the Internet.</p>
<p>&#8220;If an attacker sets up a site with this JavaScript embedded in the page, site visitors become DDoS participants. The higher-traffic the site, the bigger the DDoS,&#8221; Cloudflare <a href="https://blog.cloudflare.com/an-introduction-to-javascript-based-ddos/">explained</a> in a blog post some years ago. </p>
<p>&#8220;Since purpose-built attack sites typically don’t have many visitors, the attack volume is typically low. Performing a truly massive DDoS attack with this technique requires some more creativity.&#8221;</p>
<p>In this case, there appears to be enough volume to take smaller sites offline. Not only are there a lot of sites who rely on the Vodlocker.to embeds, the visitors generally keep their tabs open for a more than an hour, while they&#8217;re watching, continuously hammering away. </p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162856
title: Roku to Go Back on Sale in Mexico After Copyright Victory
uri: Roku-to-Go-Back-on-Sale-in-Mexico-After-Copyright-Victory
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/kb4UHxvpk5Y/
content:
<p><a href="media/fb4771ff.roku-e1502784984505.png" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/roku-e1502784984505.png"><img src="media/2d29bd11.roku-e1502784984505.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/roku-e1502784984505.png" alt="" width="277" height="241" class="alignright size-full wp-image-143176"></a>Commercial streaming-capable devices are often designed to receive officially licensed programming but many can be reprogrammed to do illegal things.</p>
<p>Manufacturers say they are not responsible for this behavior but last year in Mexico, that position was successfully challenged.</p>
<p>Following a complaint filed by cable TV provider Cablevision, the Superior Court of Justice of the City of Mexico <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/roku-sales-banned-in-mexico-over-piracy-concerns-170619/">handed down an order</a> preventing the importation of Roku devices and prohibiting stores such as Amazon, Liverpool, El Palacio de Hierro, and Sears from putting them on sale.</p>
<p>Cablevision complained that pirated content was being made available through Roku devices, with claims of more than 300 channels of unauthorized content being supplied to consumers.</p>
<p>Following a swift appeal by Roku, the sales ban was quickly overturned by a federal judge. However, on June 28, 2017, a Mexico City tribunal upheld the previous decision which banned importation and distribution of Roku devices. Several appeals followed, without success, leading to Roku declaring the ban <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/controversial-roku-piracy-ban-stays-in-place-in-mexico-180323/">unjust</a>.</p>
<p>Now, however, and after an extended period off the shelves, Roku has booked a significant legal victory. A ruling handed down by the 11th Collegiate Court in Mexico City has found that the original ban was incorrect and the Roku device isn&#8217;t illegal, which means that the streaming hardware will soon be back on sale.</p>
<p>The Court reportedly acknowledged Roku&#8217;s efforts to keep pirated content away from its platform, an opinion also shared by Cablevision. However, should pirate channels appear on Roku in the future, Cablevision warned that it would take further legal action to have those sources blocked via the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property and other local authorities.</p>
<p>The decision of the Mexico City Court was welcomed by Roku General Counsel Stephen Kay.</p>
<p>“Today’s decision is an important victory for Roku and its Mexican distributor, Latamel Distribuidora, S. de R.L. de C.V. and Mexican retailers in the legal battle against an improper ban on sales of its popular streaming players in Mexico. We are pleased with the Collegiate Court’s decision and look forward to continuing to build Roku’s TV streaming business in Mexico,” Kay said.</p>
<p>Noting that streaming is the future of TV, offering greater choice for consumers alongside better value for money, Roku Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Anderson thanked the company&#8217;s customers in Mexico who continued to use the device over the past year, despite the troubles.</p>
<p>“We are grateful for our customers in Mexico who, despite the sales ban, continued to stream more and more hours; and for our retail partners and content providers who supported us throughout this past year. We look forward to launching the latest Roku devices in Mexico soon and giving customers an even richer streaming experience,” Anderson said.</p>
<p>Roku devices are expected to become available again during the next few weeks via distributors including Amazon, Best Buy, Office Depot, Radio Shack, Sears, and Walmart.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162904
title: Steal This Show S04E07: ‘Bangladesh Bank Heist, Part 1
uri: Steal-This-Show-S04E07-Bangladesh-Bank-Heist-Part-1
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/3BhA9z76Sgw/
content:
<p><img src="media/d01749d9.stslogo180.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/stslogo180.png" alt="" width="180" height="180" class="alignright size-full wp-image-113928">Had it succeeded, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Bank_robbery">the Bangladesh Bank Heist</a> would easily have been the biggest bank robbery in history.</p>
<p>It was carried out almost entirely in the digital realm, using a variety of exploits and malware, in order to leverage access to the SWIFT banking network and the US Federal Reserve.</p>
<p>In Part One, we look at exactly what happened in the Bangladesh heist, and walk through how it was carried out. To help us through the complex story, we hear from <a href="https://twitter.com/3ncr1pt3d">Cheryl Biswas</a>, Strategic Threat Intel Analyst in Cyber Security at a Big Four consulting firm.</p>
<p>After covering the how of the robbery, we consider whether trusted systems like SWIFT can remain secure in an information environment replete with radically heterogeneous, eminently hackable device</p>
<p>&#8212;</p>
<p><em>Cheryl Biswas wishes to make clear that she speaks here on her own behalf Her views do not represent those of her employer.</em></p>
<p>&#8212;</p>
<p><a href="https://stealthisshow.com">Steal This Show</a> aims to release bi-weekly episodes featuring insiders discussing crypto, privacy, copyright and file-sharing developments. It complements our regular reporting by adding more room for opinion, commentary, and analysis. </p>
<p><strong>Host:</strong> Jamie King</p>
<p><strong>Guest:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/3ncr1pt3d">Cheryl Biswas</a></p>
<p><center><iframe width="100%" height="180px" src="//stealthisshow.com/?lpe-frame=1&#038;lpe-season=4&#038;lpe-episode=07" frameborder="0"></iframe></center></p>
<p><strong>Produced </strong> <em>by </em>Jamie King<br>
<strong>Edited &#038; Mixed</strong> <em>by</em> Lucas Marston<br>
<strong>Original Music</strong> <em>by</em> David Triana<br>
<strong>Web Production</strong> <em>by</em> Eric Barch</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162784
title: Court: ISP’s Lack of Terminations Didn’t Lure Pirating Subscribers
uri: Court-ISP-s-Lack-of-Terminations-Didn-t-Lure-Pirating-Subscribers
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/CIhzQbxlPbc/
content:
<p><img src="media/a585da8e.piratemusiccasset.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/piratemusiccasset.png" alt="" width="234" height="152" class="alignright size-full wp-image-135510">Last year several major record labels, represented by the RIAA, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/riaa-sues-isp-grande-communications-for-failing-to-disconnect-pirates-170422/">filed a lawsuit</a> against ISP Grande Communications, accusing it of turning a blind eye to pirating subscribers.</p>
<p>According to the labels, the Internet provider knew that some of its subscribers were frequently distributing copyrighted material, but failed to take any meaningful action in response.</p>
<p>Grande refuted the accusations and filed a motion to dismiss the case. The ISP <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/isp-books-partial-victory-against-riaa-in-piracy-lawsuit-180405/">partially succeeded</a> as the claims against its management company Patriot were dropped. </p>
<p>In addition, the vicarious infringement allegations were also dismissed. The court saw no evidence that potential customers would specifically sign up with Grande because it did not police infringing conduct by its subscribers.</p>
<p>The labels disagreed, however, and tried to convince the court otherwise. In May they submitted a motion for leave to file an amended complaint including new evidence obtained during discovery. Among other things, they argued that Grande willingly kept pirating subscribers aboard, to generate more revenue. </p>
<p>This second attempt also failed. </p>
<p>Yesterday, US District Court Judge Lee Yeakel denied the record label&#8217;s request to file an amended complaint. He agrees with the earlier recommendation from the Magistrate Judge, who saw no new evidence which shows that ‘pirate’ subscribers were specifically drawn to Grande. </p>
<p>“First, the original Complaint alleged essentially the same or similar facts,” the <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/judge-sees-no-evidence-that-pirates-were-drawn-by-isps-lack-of-policing-180922/">recommendation reads</a>.</p>
<p>“Second, the new allegations still fail to say anything about the motivations of Grande’s subscribers when they sign up with Grande. That is, Plaintiffs still fail to plead facts showing Grande gained or lost customers because of its failure to terminate infringers.”</p>
<p>The record labels didn&#8217;t agree with this recommendation and filed their objections two weeks ago, noting that their claims are more than sufficient. The Magistrate&#8217;s report and recommendation lack legal grounds and overlooks important elements, they claim.</p>
<p>&#8220;[T]he Report effectively ignores Plaintiffs’ other ground to satisfy the financial benefit element: that Grande profits from known repeat infringing customers to whom it provides ongoing internet service, even despite receiving notice of their infringing conduct,&#8221; the labels wrote. </p>
<p>Faced with this objection, District Court Judge Yeakel reviewed the case once more. Yesterday, he concluded that the Magistrate Judge was right, adopting the recommendations in full. </p>
<p>&#8220;In light of the objections, the court has undertaken a de novo review of the entire case file. Having considered the motions, responses, replies, objections, the case file, and the applicable law, the court will accept and adopt the report and recommendation for substantially the reasons stated therein,&#8221; Judge Yeakel writes.</p>
<p>This is a clear setback for the RIAA labels and a win for Grande Communications. While the case is far from over, Grande&#8217;s management company Patriot is not liable for any copyright infringement, while Grande itself only has to defend itself against a contributory infringement claim.</p>
<p><center><strong>Denied</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/98795633.riaagrande.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/riaagrande.png" alt="" width="571" height="416" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162809"></center></p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>A copy of  US District Court Judge Lee Yeakel&#8217;s order is available <a href="media/cdd7673c.riaagrande.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/riaagrande.pdf">here (pdf)</a>. The RIAA&#8217;s earlier onjections can be found <a href="media/56067f71.riaaobj.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/riaaobj.pdf">here (pdf)</a>.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162891
title: Australia Targets Google With Tough New Anti-Piracy Law
uri: Australia-Targets-Google-With-Tough-New-Anti-Piracy-Law
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/qU8_i8xpkto/
content:
<p><a href="media/c5e87d4f.aus.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/aus.jpg"><img src="media/dbb74c88.aus.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/aus.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="159" class="alignright size-full wp-image-96798"></a>Section 115a of Australia&#8217;s Copyright Act allows copyright holders to apply for injunctions that force ISPs to prevent subscribers from accessing &#8216;overseas online locations&#8217; that facilitate access to infringing content.</p>
<p>The legislation has been used on a number of occasions since its adoption in 2015 and as a result, dozens of notorious pirate sites are now inaccessible via regular means. However, pirate sites are often quick to adapt, with mirrors, proxies and other sites popping up to reactivate access.</p>
<p>Additionally, search engines &#8211; Google in particular &#8211; provide a handy reference guide for those looking for these kinds of resources. The entertainment industries are therefore keen to plug this loophole, to ensure that their web-blocking efforts are as effective as possible. That has resulted in the publication today of proposed amendments to copyright law.</p>
<p>The aims of the <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;page=0;query=BillId:r6209%20Recstruct:billhome">Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2018</a> are fairly straightforward.</p>
<p>Where existing legislation compels ISPs to prevent access to sites listed in an injunction, the amendments attempt to deal with sites that &#8220;have started to provide access to the online location after the injunction is made&#8221;, meaning that subsequently appearing mirrors and proxies can be dealt with much more quickly.</p>
<p>Turning to the perceived problems with search engines, the amendments will allow rightsholders to apply for injunctions that will not only target infringing &#8216;online locations&#8217; but also their appearance in search results.</p>
<p>Companies including Google will be required to &#8220;take such steps as the Court considers reasonable so as not to provide a search result that refers users to the online location.&#8221; Search providers will also be compelled to deal with the subsequent appearance of mirrors and proxies by ensuring that these don&#8217;t appear in search results either.</p>
<p>In a statement published this morning, the Department of Communications offered the following summary.</p>
<p>&#8220;The Copyright Amendment Bill will ensure a broader range of overseas websites and file-hosting services widely used for sharing music and movies are within the scope of the scheme, and provide a means for proxy and mirror pirate sites to be blocked quickly,&#8221; the statement reads.</p>
<p>&#8220;The amendments will also further empower copyright owners to seek Federal Court orders requiring search results for infringing sites.&#8221;</p>
<p>That search engines are being targeted in this manner is not a surprise. Entertainment industry groups everywhere believe that Google has become a key part of the piracy problem and rhetoric has at times been scathing, particularly in Australia where Village Roadshow chief and outspoken piracy critic Graham Burke has continually slammed the company.</p>
<p>In a TV interview with Sky News Australia yesterday, Burke said that site-blocking is working to an extent but is being undermined by the actions of Google. </p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s been very effective because the traffic to the blocked sites is down 53% and that&#8217;s extremely gratifying. But it should be down 90% and the reason it&#8217;s not down 90% is because Google are saying &#8216;Hey, the front door&#8217;s been shut but hey folks, here&#8217;s the back door, we&#8217;ll lead you round to the backdoor&#8217;. In so doing, actually &#8211; in my view &#8211; they&#8217;re facilitating crime,&#8221; Burke said.</p>
<p>The Village Roadshow chief added that Google is helping people to circumvent the legislation of the Australian Government and is making it very easy for people to  &#8220;break the will of the Australian Parliament and Australian courts.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;If you Google in &#8216;Watch Mad Max Fury Road&#8217; up will come a whole raft of pirate sites. [Google are] taking people to the proxies, to the mirror sites, of the pirates and they&#8217;re doing it unashamedly,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>&#8220;Google have no interest in Australian jobs, Australian culture, and the Australian economy. They make protesting noises but it&#8217;s a sham.&#8221;</p>
<p>Google already and voluntarily demotes pirate sites in search results based on the number of DMCA notices it receives against them. However, should this legislation be adopted, it will be required to remove references to them completely following an injunction, at least in the Australia-facing parts of its service.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162967
title: Accused Pirate Can’t Escape Liability By Pointing at a Family Member Without Detail
uri: Accused-Pirate-Can-t-Escape-Liability-By-Pointing-at-a-Family-Member
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/IVb30qSsaVc/
content:
<p><img src="media/19bd259d.eu-copyright.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/eu-copyright.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="167" class="alignright size-full wp-image-136985">More than eight years ago, German citizen Michael Strotzer was the subscriber of an Internet connection from where an audiobook was made available on a peer-to-peer network.</p>
<p>The copyright holder, Germany company Bastei Lübbe AG, was not pleased and demanded that he stop the infringing activity. </p>
<p>This later escalated to a full-blown lawsuit in which the publisher demanded damages. Strotzer, however, denied that he had personally shared the work. While his network was secure, he noted that his parents, who lived at the same address, had access to his network.</p>
<p>The defendant, however, did not provide any further details as to where and when his parents used his connection. </p>
<p>The court initially dismissed the action against Strotzer on the grounds that the copyright infringement could not be directly attributed to him, since his parents could also have shared the audiobook.</p>
<p>In response, Bastei Lübbe filed an appeal with the Regional Court of First Instance in Munich. Here it eventually hit a roadblock. </p>
<p>Strotzer denied that he shared the pirated content. At the same time, German law protects the fundamental right to protection of family life, which means that he didn&#8217;t have to provide detailed information on other family members.</p>
<p>Faced with this dilemma, the Munich court referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for guidance, <a href="http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf;jsessionid=1A05054EA7FC9691504434A26C4D502A?text=&#038;docid=202612&#038;pageIndex=0&#038;doclang=EN&#038;mode=lst&#038;dir=&#038;occ=first&#038;part=1&#038;cid=1082930">which came in today</a>. </p>
<p>Siding in large part with an <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/eu-advocate-general-right-to-private-life-shouldnt-hinder-copyright-enforcement-180607/">earlier opinion</a> from EU Advocate General Szpunar, the CJEU ruled that the right to protection of family life doesn&#8217;t shield Internet subscribers from liability.</p>
<p>&#8220;The Court considers that a fair balance must be struck between the various fundamental rights, namely the right to an effective remedy and the right to intellectual property, on the one hand, and the right to respect for private and family life, on the other.</p>
<p>&#8220;There is no such fair balance where almost absolute protection is guaranteed for the family members of the owner of an internet connection, through which copyright infringements were committed by means of file-sharing,&#8221; the CJEU adds.</p>
<p>The CJEU notes that if a defendant can&#8217;t be required to provide evidence on which member of the household carried out the infringement, the fundamental rights of copyright holders are at stake. </p>
<p>That said, it remains up to national courts to determine whether there are other options through which the true pirate can be identified.</p>
<p>The case now goes back to the Munich court. Based on the CJEU&#8217;s decision and the comments that were made previously, there is a high possibility that Strotzer will be held liable. Unless there is other evidence pointing to the real infringer, of course.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162878
title: Bell and Rogers Ask Government to Simplify Site Blocking and Criminalize Streaming
uri: Bell-and-Rogers-Ask-Government-to-Simplify-Site-Blocking-and-Criminali
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/hXTOU_EWW0Y/
content:
<p><img src="media/c89c2205.canada.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/canada.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="165" class="alignright size-full wp-image-60888">The Canadian Government is currently exploring if and how the current Copyright Act should be amended to better fit the present media landscape. </p>
<p>One of the key issues is the compensation that artists receive for their work. This was also the focus of a hearing before the House Heritage Committee this week, at which Bell (BCE) and Rogers both made an appearance. </p>
<p>The companies are Canada&#8217;s largest Internet providers, but both also have their own media branches. As such, they have an interest in copyright issues, which they made quite apparent during the hearing. </p>
<p>Bell and Rogers called for several changes to the Copyright Act to address the piracy issue. Interestingly, the proposals were identical on many fronts, with both companies highlighting how piracy is causing millions in lost revenue. </p>
<p>First up was Rob Malcolmson, Bell&#8217;s Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. Instead of addressing artist compensation directly, he drew the focus to the &#8220;impact of organized content theft&#8221; instead.</p>
<p>&#8220;This issue is fundamental to the topic the committee is studying because no matter what remuneration model you adopt, creators can never be fairly compensated if their work is being widely stolen,&#8221; Malcolmson said.</p>
<p>He went on to cite a series of piracy statistics published in recent years, including the increased popularity of pirate streaming boxes, and the fact that more than a quarter of all Canadians are self-proclaimed pirates.</p>
<p>To address this rampant &#8220;theft&#8221;, Bell presented three recommendations. The first is to criminalize online streaming of pirated material. This doesn&#8217;t mean that any end-users would end up in jail, but it should act as a deterrent for operators of pirate streaming sites and services.</p>
<p><center><strong>Rob Malcolmson</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/756b54b9.robmal.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/robmal.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="305" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162929"></center></p>
<p>Bell&#8217;s second suggestion is to get the authorities and public officials actively involved in anti-piracy enforcement actions. The UK and US were cited as examples where local police and special units help to deal with piracy issues.</p>
<p>&#8220;We recommend that the government should create and consider enshrining in the Copyright Act an administrative enforcement office and should direct the RCMP to prioritize digital piracy investigations,&#8221; Malcolmson notes.</p>
<p>Finally, Bell also reintroduces the piracy blocking proposal of the Fairplay Canada Coalition. The CRTC <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/telecoms-regulator-denies-canadian-pirate-site-blocking-application-181002/">denied this application</a> earlier this month, noting that it lacks jurisdiction. This is something the government could change through an update of the Telecommunications Act. </p>
<p>Alternatively, website blocking could be addressed by an update to the Copyright Act, which would make it easier for courts to issue injunctions against ISPs and other intermediaries. This would simplify site blocking, but could also apply to search engines, hosting companies and payment processors.</p>
<p>&#8220;In addition, a new provision could be added to the Copyright Act that would apply more broadly to intermediaries such as ISPs, web hosts, domain name registrars, search engines, payment processors, and advertising networks,&#8221; Malcolmson said. </p>
<p>Following Bell&#8217;s testimony, the committee&#8217;s attention moved to Pam Dinsmore, Vice-President Regulatory, Cable, at Rogers Communications. She also stressed the importance of addressing piracy, mentioning various statistics and the rise of online streaming in particular.</p>
<p>Interestingly, Rogers&#8217; proposals to deal with this problem show a lot of overlap with those put forward by Bell. For example, the company also suggests criminalizing online streaming. </p>
<p>&#8220;The Act should make it a criminal violation for a commercial operation to profit from the theft and making available of rights holders exclusive and copyrighted content on streaming services. In our experience, the existing civil prohibitions are not strong enough to deter this kind of content theft,&#8221; Dinsmore said. </p>
<p><center><strong>Pam Dinsmore</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/c318be62.pamdins.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/pamdins.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="310" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162928"></center></p>
<p>Rogers also raised the site-blocking issue. Specifically, it should be easier for rightsholders to obtain injunctions against intermediaries in the piracy ecosystem. This includes ISPs, domain name registrars, search engines, and content delivery networks.</p>
<p>&#8220;For example, a rights holder should be able to quickly obtain an order from a court to require an ISP to disable access to stolen content available on pre-loaded set-top boxes without concern that the operation of section 36 of the Telecommunications Act might impede this effort,&#8221; Dinsmore added. </p>
<p>While none of these suggestions directly impact the compensation of artists, which was the topic at hand, Rogers did present an idea at the end. According to the company, section 19.3 of the Copyright Act could be updated to change the current 50/50 royalty split between artists and labels to 75/25, favoring the artists. </p>
<p>Not all members of the Heritage Committee were impressed by the idea, which comes at the expense of the labels, with some asking what Rogers was willing to hand out itself.</p>
<p>&#8220;Are you willing to give up some more money as you suggested the record label should?&#8221; Conservative MP Martin Shields said. When Dinsmore replied that she didn&#8217;t know what the mechanism for that would be, the MP replied: &#8220;It&#8217;s a little strange that you&#8217;re suggesting someone else to give up money, but not your company.&#8221;</p>
<p>MP Randy Boissonnault, in particular, was not at all impressed by the telco&#8217;s proposals and stressed that the hearing was not the right venue to call for these changes. </p>
<p>&#8220;Your submissions to this committee ring hollow and tin ear,&#8221; Boissonnault said, noting that they are too technical and not addressing the topic at hand. &#8220;This is the place where we&#8217;re advocating for artists. You said so in your submissions and yet what we see is &#8211; go after the ISPs &#8211; shut down the piracy. We get that, we know that.&#8221; </p>
<p><center><strong>Randy Boissonnault</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/b238112c.randy.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/randy.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="313" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162927"></center></p>
<p>Even if the claimed $500 million in lost subscriber revenue could be recouped, artists would still get the same size of the pie, the Liberal MP noted. </p>
<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s nothing more that&#8217;s coming from your shareholders to go into the pockets of artists. So where&#8217;s the creativity from industry to put more money in the pockets of artists? Because you won&#8217;t have things to sell from Canada if we don&#8217;t support the artists and consumers.&#8221;</p>
<p>While Bell and Rogers likely hoped for a different response, and may not get what they want out of this hearing, it&#8217;s clear that their push for tougher anti-piracy measures didn&#8217;t end at the CRTC earlier this month.</p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>A full copy of the hearing is available <a href="https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/CHPC/meeting-124/notice">through ParlVU</a>.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162718
title: Yandex Under Fire Again, This Time For Linking to Blocked RuTracker
uri: Yandex-Under-Fire-Again-This-Time-For-Linking-to-Blocked-RuTracker
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/LmDskiiOPf0/
content:
<p><a href="media/1b97a33a.deniedblocked.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/deniedblocked.jpg"><img src="media/f6cbbbd7.deniedblocked.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/deniedblocked.jpg" alt="" width="270" height="199" class="alignright size-full wp-image-143825"></a>With copyright holders and anti-piracy outfits continue their battle to make infringing content harder to find, legitimate companies are increasingly finding themselves in the firing line.</p>
<p>In Russia, pressure is building on search giant Yandex, which is being targeted by rightsholders from multiple directions. Their main point of concern is that Yandex&#8217;s indexes sometimes carry links to allegedly infringing content. However, Yandex believes that the current law requires rightsholders to file complaints against those actually hosting the content.</p>
<p>While that particular battle plays out, Yandex now has another problem on its hands. Last September the country passed <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/blocking-pirate-sites-is-not-enough-russia-should-shut-them-down-181004/">new legislation</a> that prevents sites (and their mirrors and clones) that have already been blocked in Russia from being indexed by search engines.</p>
<p>It now transpires that last October, the Association for Copyright Protection on the Internet (AZAPI) filed a complaint against Yandex. The group, which represents the interests of book publishers, claimed that links to previously blocked sites (including torrent giant RuTracker and eBook site Librusec) were available in Yandex&#8217;s search results.</p>
<p>AZAPI director Maxim Ryabyko told <a href="https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3771130">Kommersant</a> that the complaint is first to be filed against a search engine under the legislation passed back in September 2017. When a legal entity like Yandex breaches the law, it can be subjected to fines between 500,000 and 700,000 rubles (US$10,700) per instance. However, things may not be straightforward.</p>
<p>According to the publication, the links to the blocked sites only appear via Yandex&#8217;s recommendation algorithm which was launched in the summer of 2018. Ryabyko says that when people search for mirrors of blocked sites and try several in a row, the algorithm sometimes decides that the user didn&#8217;t find what they were looking for so it gives direct links instead.</p>
<p>This complex arrangement means that telecoms watchdog Roscomnadzor may carry out its own tests and not trigger the same results, leaving Yandex in a position to say that the links aren&#8217;t indexed or appeared simply by chance. In any event, Roscomnadzor will have the final say, which could potentially result in Yandex having to take stronger action to ensure infringing links don&#8217;t appear in its indexes.</p>
<p>As recently <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/court-rejects-yandexs-piracy-blocking-appeal-as-talks-with-rightsholders-falter-181013/">reported</a>, a hearing should have taken place Monday at the Moscow City Court in the case of TNT-TV versus Yandex, after the former accused the latter of failing to remove infringing links from search results.</p>
<p>However, according to local <a href="https://rns.online/it-and-media/Mosgorsud-otlozhil-rassmotrenie-dela-po-isku-telekanala-2h2-k-Yandeksu-2018-10-15/">sources</a>, that hearing has now been delayed until November 9 in order to give the parties more time to present technical evidence.</p>
<p>&#8220;We continue to insist on the need for technical expertise,&#8221; Yandex said in a statement.</p>
<p>&#8220;We also continue to believe that the demands made to us are impracticable. The search system does not post content to the Internet and it cannot separate the disputed content in search results from legal options.&#8221;</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162822
title: Pirate Bay Founder’s ‘Njalla’ Criticized For Protecting Pirate Sites
uri: Pirate-Bay-Founder-s-Njalla-Criticized-For-Protecting-Pirate-S
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/UVj17O8NQaw/
content:
<p><img src="media/cc1432c1.njallalogo.png" data-original-source="https://torrentfreak.com/images/njallalogo.png" width="227" height="72" class="alignright size-large">After many years of targeting people who share larger volumes of content on peer-to-peer file-sharing apps and services, Japan is now taking aim at pirate sites.</p>
<p>In basic terms, rightsholders would like to see overseas pirate sites blocked by local ISPs, in much the same way as they are in dozens of countries elsewhere in the world. However, the process is proving a difficult one to move forward, as interference with communications is viewed by many as an invasion of users&#8217; browsing privacy.</p>
<p>The Japanese Government is currently attempting a review on piracy measures for the Internet and has requested input from rightsholders and other interested parties. That&#8217;s resulted in a submission from <a href="http://www.coda-cj.jp/en/about.html">CODA</a> (Content Overseas Distribution Association), an anti-piracy coalition featuring major video, publishing, and software organizations.</p>
<p>&#8220;Infringement of rights occurs across national boundaries due to the development of the Internet, and the identification of infringers is extremely difficult. The response to this is extremely difficult and we believe that there are limits under the existing laws of Japan, and new initiatives are necessary,&#8221; CODA writes in a submission seen by TF. </p>
<p>Noting that criminal complaints and other measures against several targeted &#8216;pirate&#8217; have proven ineffective, CODA says it is being hindered by online services that help to keep operators anonymous.</p>
<p>So-called &#8220;bulletproof&#8221; hosters that ignore copyright law are highlighted first. These providers have policies in place to protect their customers, often ignoring takedown notices filed under the DMCA while hiding identities of site operators. Bulletproof hosters were described as an <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/bulletproof-hosting-is-an-emerging-piracy-threat-riaa-warns-181004/">emerging threat</a> by the RIAA recently.</p>
<p>CODA also complains about domain privacy services which allow domain registrants to hide their identities from prying eyes. One such service, Njalla, which was <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-bay-founder-launches-anonymous-domain-registration-service-170419/">launched by Pirate Bay co-founder Peter Sunde</a> last year, is singled out for criticism.</p>
<p>&#8220;[S]ervices such as offshore hosting / bulletproof hosting that ignore the DMCA and domain registry services selling complete anonymity are rampant. It is now clear that [pirate site] &#8216;Mangamura&#8217; was also using Njalla,&#8221; CODA adds.</p>
<p>Mangamura was a huge pirate manga site that apparently shut itself down last April. In the last few months of its life alone, the site was accessed well over half a billion times. This led to Toyko-based Kodansha, Japan&#8217;s largest publisher, to file a <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/police-launch-investigation-into-huge-pirate-manga-site-mangamura-180514/">criminal complaint</a> against the platform. CODA estimates that Mangamura caused losses amounting to US$2.9 billion.</p>
<p>Given the specific mention in the submission, it seems likely that Mangamura&#8217;s use of Njalla caused problems for rightsholders and/or investigators. Njalla helps to keep the registration details of domain names private by registering domains in its own name (holding company 1337 Services LLC), not the customer&#8217;s, meaning that the owner of Mangamura should be harder to trace.</p>
<p><center><b><strike>Mangamura.org</strike> Njalla WHOIS</b><a href="media/4d583b8e.manga-whois.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/manga-whois.png"><img src="media/4d583b8e.manga-whois.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/manga-whois.png" alt="" width="468" height="319" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162849"></a></center></p>
<p>An agreement allows the customer to use Njalla-registered domains however they like (as long as it doesn&#8217;t hurt someone&#8217;s &#8220;health or safety&#8221;) and they are able to take domains back or transfer them at any time. In the meantime, they are shielded from third-parties discovering who is really behind their domains.</p>
<p>TorrentFreak asked Njalla whether they&#8217;ve ever had any complaints about Mangamura&#8217;s registration but at the time of publication, the service was yet to respond. However, one only has to read a sample of the <a href="https://njal.la/blog/about-those-threats/">company&#8217;s interactions</a> with content company lawyers to see how it sometimes responds.</p>
<p>In the meantime, CODA continues to push its case to introduce blocking mechanisms in Japan. This wouldn&#8217;t solve the anonymity problem posed by bulletproof hosters and services like Njalla, but having &#8216;pirate&#8217; sites rendered inaccessible in the country would certainly help.</p>
<p>That being said, things are not going smoothly.</p>
<p>According to a report published by <a href="http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20181016/p2a/00m/0na/017000c">Mainichi</a>, a panel of government experts has been unable to compile an interim report on measures against pirate sites due to disagreements over the suitability of site blocking.</p>
<p>While rightsholders believe the practice should be implemented as soon as possible, there are serious concerns that blocking violates the country&#8217;s constitution.</p>
<p>&#8220;There are strong misgivings among many of the panel members who specialize in law that blocking is unconstitutional, and it&#8217;s unacceptable,&#8221; said Ryoji Mori, a lawyer on the panel.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, nine panel members opposed to blocking issued a statement, insisting that legislation &#8220;should be deferred and cooperation sought with the private sector to advance measures other than blocking.&#8221;</p>
<p>Those measures are said to include restriction of advertising on &#8216;pirate&#8217; sites to hit revenues, plus further cooperation between content creators and the telecoms industry. Several ISPs in Japan currently block several &#8216;pirate&#8217; sites voluntarily.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162944
title: Operator of YouTube Rippers Should Stand Trial in the US, Major Labels Say
uri: Operator-of-YouTube-Rippers-Should-Stand-Trial-in-the-US-Major-Labels
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/mTKUpia2auc/
content:
<p><img src="media/34e023fb.sadyoutube.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sadyoutube.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="196" class="alignright size-full wp-image-117196">Streamripping sites are seen as the largest piracy threat to the music industry, so record labels are doing their best to shut them down. </p>
<p>Last year YouTube-MP3, the world&#8217;s largest ripping site at the time, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/youtube-mp3-settles-with-riaa-site-will-shut-down-170904/">shut down</a> after being sued, and several other <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/youtube-download-sites-throw-in-the-towel-under-legal-pressure-180614/">folded in response</a> to increased legal uncertainty.</p>
<p>Not all stream-ripping sites are folding without a fight though. <a href="https://www.flvto.biz/">FLVTO.biz</a> and <a href="https://2conv.com/">2conv.com</a>, owned by the Russian developer Tofig Kurbanov, remain online despite <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/major-labels-sue-more-youtube-ripper-sites-180806/">being sued by several record</a> labels in August.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago, Kurbanov filed a motion to dismiss the case at the Federal Court in California. According to the defense, the court has no jurisdiction over the matter. Less than 6% of all visitors come from the US, and the site is managed entirely from Russia, it argued.</p>
<p>This week the RIAA labels, including Universal, Warner Bros, and Sony, responded to the motion to dismiss, clearly disagreeing with the defense. They argue that the operator of FLVTO.biz and 2conv.com downplays the connections to the US and Virginia. </p>
<p>In their memorandum, the record labels argue that both sites had millions of visitors from the United States over the past twelve months.</p>
<p>&#8220;[I]n the past year alone, Defendant’s websites had over 542,000 users from Virginia, who visited the sites more than 1.3 million times, and over 31 million users from the United States as a whole, who visited the sites more than 96 million times,&#8221; they write. </p>
<p><center><strong>2conv.com</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/233500bc.2conv.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/2conv.png" alt="" width="599" height="246" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162962"></center></p>
<p>In addition, they point out that the sites have done business with U.S.-based web-hosting services, domain-name registrars, and advertising firms. Up until recently, some servers were even located in Virginia, the plaintiffs write. </p>
<p>These and other arguments are more than sufficient for the court to have jurisdiction over the case, the RIAA labels argue.</p>
<p>If a dismissal is not an option, the stream-ripper operator asked to transfer the case to a California court. Some of the parties are located there, while none are in Virginia, and it would be easier to access evidence. </p>
<p>However, the major record labels refute this argument as well. </p>
<p>&#8220;Wherever the case is held, there will be some burden associated with accessing evidence. But Defendant does not explain why it will be especially difficult to litigate this case in Virginia, or why transferring the case to the Central District of California will resolve those hypothetical problems,&#8221; they write. </p>
<p>It&#8217;s now up to the Virginia Federal Court to decide how to move forward. As noted by Digital Music News who <a href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/17/youtube-flvto-riaa-lawsuit/">covered</a> the motion to dismiss, a hearing on the matter has been set for November 9th. </p>
<p>Thus far the case is only dealing with jurisdictional issues. If the case continues, the alleged copyright infringements or lack thereof, are expected to be argued in more detail. </p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>Here are copies of Tobig Kurbanov&#8217;s <a href="media/79ecffc0.flvreply.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/flvreply.pdf">motion to dismiss (pdf)</a> and <a href="media/54f92a11.riaaripperresponse.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/riaaripperresponse.pdf">record labels&#8217; response (pdf)</a>, both obtained by TorrentFreak.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162800
title: Steam Bans All Links to TorrentFreak News as “Potentially Malicious”
uri: 2018-10-20-
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/ZwfY33Nk9As/
content:
<p><a href="media/9522058c.steam.png" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/steam.png"><img src="media/32f916cb.steam.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/steam.png" alt="" width="238" height="174" class="alignright size-full wp-image-101241"></a>Once upon a time, Internet users were free to look at whatever content they liked. There was an almost complete absence of intervention from third-parties, which was mostly a good thing.</p>
<p>However, after the number of Internet users rocketed, more threats began to emerge. Viruses and other types of malware became pervasive, aiming to abuse users&#8217; computers in various ways, from creating botnets to simple vandalism.</p>
<p>As a result, the security market has boomed. Barely a week goes by without some website or piece of software triggering an alert on a machine protected by good anti-virus and anti-malware tools. They don&#8217;t always get it right but most interventions are welcomed when the intention is to keep us safe.</p>
<p>On top, however, Internet users are finding online resources censored. Nation states sometimes decide what citizens can and cannot read, while corporate firewall products and network routers often act as over-protective nannies, blocking content based on non-transparent, non-public rules.</p>
<p>Here at TorrentFreak we&#8217;re used to censorship. Every few months we&#8217;re contacted by readers trying to access our news articles on public WiFi, only to find that <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/torrentfreak-is-blocked-as-a-pirate-site-and-hacking-resource-180825/">the site is blocked</a> alongside various warnings, none of which are true. It&#8217;s almost as if the word &#8216;torrent&#8217; in our URL has been blindly blacklisted for some reason.</p>
<p>Sadly, this week we&#8217;ve discovered that Steam, the popular digital game distribution and social networking platform, has jumped on the &#8220;let&#8217;s censor TorrentFreak&#8221; bandwaggon. A tip from a TF reader and Steam user highlighted the problems he&#8217;d experienced when trying to read TF articles via Steam&#8217;s chat interface.</p>
<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know if you&#8217;re already aware of this but the PC gaming software &#8216;Steam&#8217; is flagging your website as &#8216;suspicious&#8217; in its chat interface,&#8221; he explained.</p>
<p>As the first image below shows, Steam first flagged a link to an article we published this week detailing how Japan intends to crack down on sites that offer links to copyrighted content.</p>
<p><center><b>Suspicious news?</b><img src="media/1b4a6459.JVxkJ71.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/JVxkJ71.png" alt="" width="600" height="21" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162808"></a></center></p>
<p>The small irony here is that the article details how Japan needs to bring in new and highly controversial laws to criminalize linking to copyrighted content, something which is currently legal in the country. Steam, however, is free to block links to our 100% legal copyrighted content on a whim, mark our platform as &#8220;suspicious&#8221;, while blocking users from reading our reports.</p>
<p>The second image below shows just how misguided Steam&#8217;s policy is. This week, TorrentFreak broke the news that cheat developers in Australia <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/gta-cheat-developers-have-homes-searched-and-assets-frozen-181015/">face home searches and asset freezing</a> following legal action from GTA V developer Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive.</p>
<p>It is an original article that covers an important and growing issue in the gaming sector that will hopefully prove of interest to gamers &#8211; the very people using Steam&#8217;s platform. However, Steam users are prevented from following links to the piece because someone or something at Steam has labeled our news site as &#8220;potentially malicious.&#8221;</p>
<p><center><b>GTA V news &#8211; censored</b><a href="media/052d3e9e.43RevDi.png" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/43RevDi.png"><img src="media/80d0c9d4.43RevDi.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/43RevDi.png" alt="" width="600" height="23" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162813"></a></center></p>
<p>While these are just two examples, we could go on forever. As the large image below shows, Steam has <a href="https://steamcommunity.com/linkfilter/?url=https://torrentfreak.com">banned our entire platform</a> and put up a warning that&#8217;s not only completely false but also damaging to our reputation.</p>
<p>&#8220;https://torrentfreak.com has been flagged as being potentially malicious. For your safety, Steam will not open this URL in your web browser. The site could contain malicious content or be known for stealing user credentials,&#8221; the warning reads.</p>
<p><center><b>Stealing user credentials? Insulting and ridiculous</b><a href="media/3437b189.TF-blocked-steam-e1539680034868.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/TF-blocked-steam-e1539680034868.png"><img src="media/3437b189.TF-blocked-steam-e1539680034868.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/TF-blocked-steam-e1539680034868.png" alt="" width="600" height="352" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162816"></a></center></p>
<p>Of course, on its own platform Steam is fully entitled to block resources that it believes can harm its users. Some might even argue that it has a duty of care to do so, in order to keep its community safe. However, making blatantly false statements while blocking access to accurate news reporting shouldn&#8217;t ever be part of that.</p>
<p>Steam is no stranger to blocking links to sites in the file-sharing niche. Previously we&#8217;ve reported how it blocked links to <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/steam-censors-kickass-mentions-chat-client-150214/">KickassTorrents</a>, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/steam-censors-pirate-bay-links-in-chat-client-160406/">The Pirate Bay</a>, and <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/steam-censors-mega-nz-links-in-chats-and-forum-posts-180421/">MEGA.nz</a>.</p>
<p>While the ban on MEGA was lifted shortly after our article was published back in April, the company appears to be out of favor with Steam once again. <a href="https://steamcommunity.com/linkfilter/?url=https://mega.nz">Tests show that Mega.nz links</a> are completely banned by the gaming platform with a warning about malicious content and potential stealing of credentials. Meanwhile, known scam sites such as <a href="https://steamcommunity.com/linkfilter/?url=https://demonoid.to">Demonoid.to</a> are in the clear, according to Steam.</p>
<p>There is nothing malicious about our news resource and we&#8217;re really upset at the suggestion we might steal user credentials. We&#8217;d therefore be very grateful indeed if a Steam engineer could remove TorrentFreak.com from its blacklists, whenever he or she gets a couple of free minutes. </p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162755
title: Rapidvideo Responds to MPAA’s Piracy Claims: “We’re Totally Legal”
uri: Rapidvideo-Responds-to-MPAA-s-Piracy-Claims-We-re-Totally-Lega
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/gK7llD_ekWY/
content:
<p><img src="media/6726862a.rapidvideo.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/rapidvideo.png" alt="" width="245" height="154" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162983">A few weeks ago the MPAA, together with several other trade groups, submitted its annual list of &#8216;notorious markets&#8217; to the US Trade Representative (USTR).</p>
<p>These submissions help to guide the U.S. Government’s position toward foreign countries when it comes to copyright enforcement, putting significant pressure on the mentioned sites.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-reports-notorious-piracy-threats-to-the-us-government-181003/">MPAA&#8217;s submission</a> included many of the usual targets including The Pirate Bay and Fmovies, but also several hosting sites or cyberlockers. </p>
<p>The latter category is interesting. While there are unmistakenly several &#8220;rogue&#8221; hosting platforms that don&#8217;t care about copyright holders, not all fit the billing. One of the bad actors according to the Hollywood group, however, is Rapidvideo.</p>
<p>&#8220;Rapidvideo.com is a streaming/download cyberlocker with a global Alexa ranking of 999. Rapidvideo.com had 21.66 million worldwide unique visitors in August 2018 according to SimilarWeb data,&#8221; the MPAA wrote. </p>
<p>&#8220;The site incentivizes users to upload content with an affiliate program. The site pays from $7.50 to $60 USD per 10,000 views depending on the country in which the viewer is located,&#8221; the Hollywood group added.</p>
<p>As is usual in these reports, there is virtually no detail about any alleged copyright-infringing activity. While we&#8217;re pretty certain that Rapidvideo stores some pirated videos, this is no different from Google Drive or Dropbox, for example.</p>
<p>The MPAA&#8217;s report does mention that some hosting sites don&#8217;t remove infringing files, but only the reported links to these files. On top of that, many sites don&#8217;t respond well to takedown notices at all.</p>
<p>So that must be the case with Rapidvideo then? Well, the site&#8217;s owner wholeheartedly disagrees.  </p>
<p>&#8220;We have a DMCA agent guy working with us, who also works with the MPAA and other rightsholders. He was happy with our anti-piracy methods, but the MPAA reported our site to the government nonetheless,&#8221; Rapidvideo&#8217;s Alex informs TorrentFreak.</p>
<p>As it turns out, Rapidvideo doesn&#8217;t fit the MPAA&#8217;s description at all. </p>
<p>The site processes takedown requests, has a <a href="https://dmca.copyright.gov/osp/publish/history.html?search=rapidvideo&#038;id=8c61556e6b98eec928b0b881ca09a2b9">designated DMCA agent</a>, a repeat infringer policy, and it even implemented an MD5 hash filter system to ensure that flagged files are not re-uploaded. </p>
<p>While the company is incorporated in Belize, it believes that it&#8217;s fully compliant with US, Canadian and EU law. It even complies with the proposed &#8216;upload filter&#8217; the EU may implement in the near future. </p>
<p>In recent months Rapidvideo was approached several times by a representative of an anime video distributor. Many of the recent enforcement changes were implemented as a result between the distributor and Rapidvideo&#8217;s copyright agent. </p>
<p>This was also communicated to other rightsholders, including MPAA members, the site&#8217;s owner says. However, that didn&#8217;t prevent the listing on the MPAA&#8217;s most recent overview of rogue sites. </p>
<p>&#8220;After the whole procedure, we learned that we would appear on the list submitted by the MPAA to the U.S. Government. This, despite that everything was correctly implemented in compliance with the regulations and rules, including the DMCA,&#8221; Alex says. </p>
<p>Rapidvideo was told that they didn&#8217;t process all notices correctly. While the site admits that some reports were set aside, those were all inaccurate takedown notices. For example, they lacked details that are actually legal requirements.</p>
<p>&#8220;They said that we did not correctly handle all DMCA notices, but those were not fully correct, as required by the DMCA law. Many parts were missing, such as a signature of the rightsholder representative or the names of the infringing works.&#8221; </p>
<p>The video hosting site feels that if the copyright holders push them to comply with the law, those companies should be held to the same standards. Also, none of the rightsholders complained about the rejections directly.  </p>
<p>Rapidvideo hasn&#8217;t sent an official rebuttal to the USTR, so it could very well be listed in the official overview of Notorious Markets early next year. </p>
<p>The video hosting site is fully confident that its policies and procedures are compliant with copyright law. They are not intimidated by the MPAA&#8217;s report, and with their upload filter, they have nothing to fear from the EU either, according to the owner. </p>
<p>&#8220;We have everything fully ready for the EU upload filter. We are also a legal company that pays taxes and complies with all rules and regulations, so we are not afraid of any possible outcomes,&#8221; Alex concludes.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162751
title: Sony Promotes Kodi Streaming Add-Ons as Ideal for its Android TVs
uri: Sony-Promotes-Kodi-Streaming-Add-Ons-as-Ideal-for-its-Android-TVs
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/pHm2rJb581Q/
content:
<p><a href="media/13c1e1a2.kodi-1.png" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/kodi-1.png"><img src="media/8aa05985.kodi-1.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/kodi-1.png" alt="" width="256" height="256" class="alignright size-full wp-image-144339"></a>Despite always operating within the law, the team behind the popular Kodi media player have found themselves at the middle of huge piracy controversy.</p>
<p>While a stock Kodi installation is entirely legal, millions of users install special third-party add-ons that grant access to huge libraries of infringing content. This isn&#8217;t recommended by the official Kodi team but there&#8217;s little doubt that most Kodi users now connect the media player with free movies, TV shows, and live sports.</p>
<p>To counter this threat, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment &#8211; a coalition of 30 media giants including the MPAA, Netflix, Amazon, Disney, and Sony &#8211; has been targeting developers of third-party add-ons that provide access to infringing content. Many have stopped their activities following legal threats but the ecosystem remains lively and as a result, Kodi remains popular with the public.</p>
<p>With this in mind, it&#8217;s perhaps a little surprising that Sony Australia is actively encouraging users of its range of Android-based smart TVs to install Kodi on their devices. </p>
<p>As the image from Sony&#8217;s website shows, the company not only places Kodi in the number one spot for recommended Android TV apps, it highlights that &#8220;community-created addons&#8221; can be used to &#8220;provide access to popular internet streaming media services.&#8221;</p>
<p><center><b>Kodi streaming addons are where it&#8217;s at&#8230;</b><a href="media/a07344c8.kodi-sony-e1539612916768.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/kodi-sony-e1539612916768.png"><img src="media/a07344c8.kodi-sony-e1539612916768.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/kodi-sony-e1539612916768.png" alt="" width="600" height="313" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162754"></a></center></p>
<p>The hyperlink in Sony&#8217;s recommendation links to the official <a href="https://kodi.wiki/view/Add-ons">Kodi wiki</a> which in turn links to <a href="https://kodi.wiki/view/Category:All_add-ons">official addons</a> (which <em>shouldn&#8217;t</em> cause any legal issues) and <a href="https://kodi.wiki/view/Unofficial_add-on_repositories">unofficial repositories</a>, which aren&#8217;t guaranteed to be problem-free by the Kodi team.</p>
<p>However, the same page also offers a list of <a href="https://kodi.wiki/view/Official:Forum_rules/Banned_add-ons">banned addons</a>, which are mostly used to access infringing content. They can&#8217;t be downloaded or installed from the wiki page but they do provide a handy guide for users looking for an entry point into the darker parts of the Kodi world.</p>
<p>At this point, it should be reiterated that stock Kodi is entirely legal and there&#8217;s nothing fundamentally wrong with Sony&#8217;s promotion of Kodi or legal addons. However, seeing Sony recommending Kodi&#8217;s ability to utilize third-party add-ons is somewhat of a surprise, given Sony&#8217;s efforts as part of ACE to discourage people from using those that infringe.</p>
<p>Of course, that&#8217;s where the problem lies.</p>
<p>The vast majority of users of Kodi and/or Sony&#8217;s TVs will not know which add-ons they are supposed to use and which ones are legal and which ones are not. That said, it&#8217;s almost inevitable that they&#8217;ll gravitate towards the ones offering the most exciting content, which means precisely the type of addon being targeted by ACE and by default, Sony Pictures.</p>
<p>Still, if Sony is happy to recommend third-party Kodi add-ons to get the best out of its televisions, it must be confident that its customers will do the right thing. There are plenty of legal addons available but good luck to the layman when it comes to filtering them out.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162763
title: OpenVPN CEO: “Choose a VPN That Doesn’t Allow BitTorrent”
uri: OpenVPN-CEO-Choose-a-VPN-That-Doesn-t-Allow-BitTorrent
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/2h1Q_EBKCao/
content:
<p><img src="media/2575ed18.openvpn.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/openvpn.png" alt="" width="267" height="94" class="alignright size-full wp-image-162821">With privacy scandals and security breaches dominating news headlines, more and more people are signing up with a VPN service. </p>
<p>A properly configured VPN hides people&#8217;s IP-addresses from online snoopers and state of the art encryption also protects against some malicious attacks. </p>
<p>While that sound like a good idea, there&#8217;s a catch. In return for this protection, all your traffic is routed through the VPN provider, which means that you&#8217;re putting a lot of trust in the company. </p>
<p>We have addressed this issue in the past and were happy to see that it was also highlighted by Francis Dinha, the CEO of <a href="https://openvpn.net/">OpenVPN Inc</a>, which owns the software which many VPN services rely on.</p>
<p>Dinha rightfully points out that picking the right VPN requires some careful thought. This was also one of the reasons why we previously began compiling our yearly overview of various VPN policies.</p>
<p>As we read further, however, the advice goes in an unexpected direction. Many people believe that VPNs are supposed to be content-neutral, but Dinha warns against using a VPN with BitTorrent and the dark web. </p>
<p>&#8220;Use of the wrong VPN to go through BitTorrent and access the dark web just to get to &#8216;free&#8217; content exposes you to bad actors who can extract value out of whatever you’re receiving in other ways,&#8221; he writes in a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/10/15/why-the-wrong-vpn-is-more-dangerous-than-no-vpn/#756a253d2e5f">Forbes piece</a>. </p>
<p>&#8220;Such practices put you at risk of running afoul of piracy, copyright violation and fraud laws. Unrestricted access also exposes you to malware and viruses and a lack of protection entirely from the risks in the dark web.&#8221;</p>
<p>We fail to see how BitTorrent is linked to the dark web. It is nothing more than a file-transfer protocol, after all. And even if it is somehow related, what has that got to do with a VPN?</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not a secret that BitTorrent has a piracy stigma. And it makes sense to advise people not to break the law, with or without a VPN, but Dinha goes quite a few steps further. In the article, he recommends that people use a VPN that blocks BitTorrent traffic. </p>
<p>&#8220;For all these reasons, it’s essential to choose a VPN that doesn’t allow the use of BitTorrent and follows all applicable United States laws. It’s the only way to protect yourself against liability,&#8221; he stresses.</p>
<p>So, for some reason, a VPN that allows BitTorrent traffic causes liability issues? That&#8217;s a bit far-fetched, to say the least, because all regular ISPs allow BitTorrent traffic just fine. And for a good reason.</p>
<p>BitTorrent has plenty of legal use cases and companies including Facebook, Amazon, and Twitter all use it internally. If the Comcasts, Bells, and Virgin Medias of this world don&#8217;t block it, why should a VPN?</p>
<p>Calling for a BitTorrent ban isn&#8217;t very <em>open</em> for a company that&#8217;s called OpenVPN, and it remains a mystery why and how that might shield users from &#8220;liability.&#8221; Perhaps it&#8217;s a PR plug for OpenVPN&#8217;s own VPN service <a href="https://www.privatetunnel.com/">PrivateTunnel</a>?</p>
<p>Well, that brings us to a rather ironic situation. </p>
<p>Considering the comments from OpenVPN&#8217;s CEO, we would expect PrivateTunnel to ban all BitTorrent traffic outright. However, when we asked the VPN&#8217;s support desk we were informed that P2P &#8216;blocking&#8217; rules are not enabled in the Netherlands and Switzerland. Hmmm&#8230;</p>
<p>Anyway, those who prefer a more open VPN that allows all traffic, just like their regular ISP, can find a long list of <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">BitTorrent-friendly VPNs here</a>.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162998
title: Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week on BitTorrent – 10/22/18
uri: Top-10-Most-Pirated-Movies-of-The-Week-on-BitTorrent-10-22-18
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/VwiN3l3K61I/
content:
<p><img src="media/a50bc089.spydumped.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/spydumped.jpg" alt="" width="299" height="239" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163000">This week we have three newcomers in our chart.</p>
<p>The Spy Who Dumped Me is the most downloaded movie.</p>
<p>The data for our weekly download chart is estimated by TorrentFreak, and is for informational and educational reference only. All the movies in the list are Web-DL/Webrip/HDRip/BDrip/DVDrip unless stated otherwise.</p>
<p><a href="http://TorrentFreak.com/category/dvdrip/feed/"><strong>RSS feed</strong></a> for the articles of the recent weekly movie download charts.</p>
<h5>This week&#8217;s most downloaded movies are:</h5>
<table class="css hover">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="12%"><strong>Movie Rank</strong></th>
<th width="15%"><strong>Rank <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-pirated-movies-week-bittorrent-10-15-18/">last week</a></strong></th>
<th><strong>Movie name</strong></th>
<th width="18%"><strong>IMDb Rating / Trailer</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tfoot>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">Most downloaded movies via torrents</td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6663582/">The Spy Who Dumped Me</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6663582/">6.2</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjaHhduqS5o">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>(2)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6911608/">Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6911608/">7.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd4cLL_MP7M">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>(1)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095030/">Ant-Man and the Wasp</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095030/">7.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUkn-enk2RU&#038;t=19s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>(4)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6133466/">The First Purge</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6133466/">5.2</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL29y0ah92w">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>(3)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5220122/">Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5220122/">6.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EzB6eTni2s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5690360/">Slender Man</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5690360/">3.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySy8mcceTno">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>(5)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/">Solo: A Star Wars Story</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/">7.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2315596/">Galveston</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2315596/">6.2</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxfnoP2fbcY">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>9</strong></td>
<td>(6)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052474/">Sicario: Day of the Soldado</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052474/">7.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIMChzE_aCo">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>10</strong></td>
<td>(8)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/">The Meg</a> (Subbed HDRip)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4779682/">6.0</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLk0NPRFAc">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163007
title: UK Govt. Mulls Easy Pirate Site Blocking & Streaming Crackdown
uri: UK-Govt-Mulls-Easy-Pirate-Site-Blocking-Streaming-Crackdown
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/LAipTKWQDgI/
content:
<p><a href="media/a7e273b1.ukflagwallblocked.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/ukflagwallblocked.jpg"><img src="media/579e4e24.ukflagwallblocked.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/ukflagwallblocked.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="177" class="alignright size-full wp-image-154673"></a>Around Europe, many governments have expressed a desire to crack down on intellectual property infringement of all kinds. In the UK, efforts are particularly advanced.</p>
<p>Over the past couple of years, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has produced studies detailing various piracy threats, with the illicit streaming phenomenon taking pole position.</p>
<p>Last November and in the wake of a landmark <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/selling-piracy-configured-media-players-is-illegal-eu-court-rules-170426/">EU ruling</a>, it <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/uk-government-publishes-advice-on-illicit-streaming-devices-171120/">published advice</a> to consumers, stating that if devices are used to stream content that would otherwise be paid for, a crime is being committed. This morning, the IPO announced that the &#8220;pressure is growing&#8221; on producers of &#8220;illegal streaming devices and thieves of paid-for content.&#8221;</p>
<p>In a statement headlined by Minister for Intellectual Property, Sam Gyimah, the IPO first indicates that the number of <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/man-jailed-for-five-years-for-selling-streaming-piracy-devices-180716/">recent prosecutions</a> against infringers shows that existing law is working. To move things forward, however, fresh measures to further tighten the noose are being considered.</p>
<p>Again, the focus is on pirate streaming devices, aka customized &#8216;Kodi boxes&#8217; and Android hardware pre-configured with apps designed to provide access to infringing content such as subscription TV, premium sports, or the latest films. Using apps or add-ons like these is against the law, the IPO notes, adding that around &#8220;one in four&#8221; may not be paying for the content they&#8217;re watching.</p>
<p>&#8220;Illegal streaming damages our creative industries. We have always been clear that media streaming devices used to access ‘paid for’ material for free are illegal,&#8221; says Minister for Intellectual Property, Sam Gyimah.</p>
<p>&#8220;Recent prosecutions have shown that if caught, sellers of boxes adapted in this way face fines and a prison sentence.&#8221;</p>
<p>In 2017, the IPO <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/kodi-box-consultation-launched-by-intellectual-property-office-170228/">opened a consultation</a> on illegal streaming devices, the responses to which will be published today. In addition, the IPO notes that it has been working with CrimeStoppers and industry stakeholders to highlight the risks associated with pirate streaming devices while tackling those who seek to commercialize them. </p>
<p>The main point of action appears to be a shift towards streamlining the current site-blocking regime in the UK. Rightsholders currently need to obtain an injunction from the High Court in order to have allegedly-infringing sites blocked by local ISPs. The IPO, however, sees an opportunity to achieve the same goal without intervention from the courts.</p>
<p>&#8220;Consider the evidence for and potential impact of administrative site blocking (as opposed to requiring a High Court injunction in every case), as well as identifying the mechanisms through which administrative site blocking could be introduced,&#8221; the IPO&#8217;s first bullet point reads.</p>
<p>While blocking content at consumer ISPs&#8217; is one course of action, it&#8217;s somewhat akin to locking the stable door once the horse has bolted. Workarounds exist for the more technically minded, so the IPO appears to want to take action against those that facilitate, such as developers of Kodi add-ons and other apps that provide access to infringing content.</p>
<p>&#8220;Work to identify disruptions that may be applied at other points in the supply chain, for example App developers, and further develop our understanding of the effect of new generation smart TVs on how this infringement occurs,&#8221; the IPO adds.</p>
<p>In parallel, the government sees value in understanding why people use &#8216;pirate&#8217; devices in the first place. To that end, research will be undertaken to assess consumer attitudes and motivations behind set-top box use in order to deter future uptake.</p>
<p>Finally, the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit will continue its work in disrupting unlicensed supply to the UK market. The IPO says the unit will &#8220;continue to prioritize resources&#8221; in this area, taking action against those who encourage infringement through the sale of IPTV boxes and services.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162882
title: Canadian ISPs Want Ban on Piracy Settlement Notices
uri: Canadian-ISPs-Want-Ban-on-Piracy-Settlement-Notices
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/mObGr1KsIS8/
content:
<p><img src="media/0fe8e43a.piratekay.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/piratekay.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="188" class="alignright size-full wp-image-108106">Following a long series of debates, Canada modernized its Copyright Act several years ago. This included a new &#8220;notice-and-notice&#8221; scheme, which went into effect early 2015.</p>
<p>As a result, Internet providers were required to forward all copyright notices they receive from rightsholders to their customers. Providers that fail to comply, face damages up to $10,000.</p>
<p>This <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/canadian-isps-vpns-now-alert-pirating-customers-150102/">notice-and-notice</a> scheme created a safe harbor for Internet providers, protecting them from copyright holder lawsuits. At the same time, however, their Internet subscribers faced a new threat. </p>
<p>In theory, the copyright notices were supposed to be relatively harmless, merely informing subscribers that their connections are being abused to pirate content. However, it soon became apparent that the system was <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/canadian-piracy-notices-from-benign-to-ridiculous-150109/">also being used by some rightsholders</a> to send settlement demands. </p>
<p>This problem initially garnered quite a bit of attention in the press and among politicians, but later faded away. However, now that Canadian lawmakers are working on a new update of copyright law, it&#8217;s being brought into focus again. </p>
<p>During a hearing before the House Heritage Committee <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/bell-and-rogers-ask-government-to-simplify-site-blocking-and-criminalize-streaming-181018/">last week</a>, Pam Dinsmore of Rogers Communications mentioned that her company sends roughly 2.4 million notices per year. Like other ISPs, Rogers is not against the system itself, but it believes that updates are required. </p>
<p>This was the focus of an earlier hearing last month before the <a href="https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/INDU/meeting-128/evidence#Int-10263941">INDU committee</a>, where Canadian ISPs including TekSavvy, Shaw, Rogers, and Bell shared their experiences.</p>
<p>One issue all parties appeared to agree on is that the notice-and-notice scheme should ban settlement demands.</p>
<p>Among the speakers was Andy Kaplan-Myrth, VP of regulatory and carrier affairs at TekSavvy. He noted that some of the copyright infringement notices can be intimidating to subscribers and that they can violate customer privacy, sometimes without even mentioning Canadian law</p>
<p>&#8220;Some notices include content that&#8217;s more familiar from scams and spam: advertising for other services, settlement offers, or personalized links that secretly reveal information about the end-user to the sender,&#8221; Kaplan-Myrth said.</p>
<p>&#8220;This puts ISPs in a difficult position, since we&#8217;re required to forward notices to end-users, including whatever extraneous, misleading or harmful content may be included,&#8221; he added. </p>
<p>TekSavvy recommended that the notice-and-notice scheme should be updated to ban these types of settlement notices as well as other unrelated info. This ban on settlement requests or other clear abuse was shared by Shaw, Rogers, and Bell. </p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re a supporter of getting rid of settlement demands coming to consumers. That&#8217;s not appropriate. It should be written out of notices,&#8221; Bell&#8217;s SVP of Regulatory Affairs, Robert Malcolmson said.</p>
<p>Another notice-and-notice issue that was brought up by several ISPs is standardization. Right now there is no uniform notice template, which means that it&#8217;s hard to process all of them automatically. This makes it more expensive.</p>
<p>&#8220;On average, we receive thousands of infringement notices per week. They come from dozens of companies and use scores of different templates, fewer than half of which can be processed automatically,&#8221; TekSavvy&#8217;s Kaplan-Myrth said.</p>
<p>TekSavvy sees the costs that are involved with the notice processing as a significant burden for the company. What&#8217;s making it worse, perhaps, is that rightsholders themselves have almost no barriers when it comes to costs.</p>
<p>Adding a small fee to submit requests could level the playing field and prevent abuse at the same time, the ISP suggests.</p>
<p>&#8220;Currently there&#8217;s essentially no cost for rights holders to send infringement notices. As long as they can send notices at no cost, then even if they get settlements from only a small number of end-users, there will be a business model for rights holders to send greater and greater volumes of notices,&#8221; Kaplan-Myrth noted.</p>
<p>The standardization call is shared among all ISPs although there are some variations in what this should look like.</p>
<p>TekSavvy doesn&#8217;t want the notices to reference any external content, for example. However, Bell, which is also a copyright holder itself, wouldn&#8217;t mind adding the option to use the copyright notices to point subscribers to legal alternatives.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not sure it would be such a bad thing, from a public policy standpoint, for the notice to say, (a) you&#8217;re consuming this content illegally and (b) there&#8217;s another source of legal consumption, and here it is,” Bell&#8217;s Malcolmson said.</p>
<p>While that last part is up for debate, there is a broad call for a more standardized approach to copyright notices. Getting rid of the settlement demands is also widely supported. And since the Government previously indicated that it would like to get rid of these excesses too, that&#8217;s high on the agenda for the upcoming reform of copyright law.</p>
<p>Just to be clear, the notice-and-notice scheme is different from the regular legal actions copyright holders can take. Even if automated settlement notices are banned, rightsholders can still go after pirating subscribers in court. That&#8217;s more resource intensive and expensive though.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163037
title: YouTube: New EU Copyright Law Could “Drastically Change the Internet”
uri: YouTube-New-EU-Copyright-Law-Could-Drastically-Change-the-Internet
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/EUkFnsj1QOI/
content:
<p><a href="media/c0ea239b.youtubeface.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/youtubeface.jpg"><img src="media/a5365da2.youtubeface.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/youtubeface.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="158" class="alignright size-full wp-image-107705"></a>For the past few years, the music industry has complained about the so-called &#8220;Value Gap&#8221; caused by sites like YouTube. </p>
<p>The major labels claim that since unlicensed content is readily available for free on user-uploaded content sites, these platforms are able to pay less to the labels in licensing fees while hiding behind so-called ‘safe harbor’ laws.</p>
<p>In an attempt to solve this business model riddle, the industry lobbied strongly for new EU legislation (Article 13) that would effectively require user-uploaded content platforms to install upload filters to detect infringing content before it’s even made available to the public.</p>
<p>In September, those legislative amendments <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/eu-parliament-adopts-controversial-upload-filter-proposal-180912/">were adopted</a> by the EU Parliament. But while the music industry celebrated its initial victory, opponents warned that the measures could stifle innovation.</p>
<p>Now, more than a month later, YouTube is warning users that if the amendments pass in their current form, the Internet experience as a whole could &#8220;drastically change&#8221; for the worse causing the loss of thousands of jobs.</p>
<p>&#8220;Article 13 as written threatens to shut down the ability of millions of people &#8212; from creators like you to everyday users &#8212; to upload content to platforms like YouTube,&#8221; YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki told YouTube creators.</p>
<p>While this worrying element of Article 13 was highlighted dozens of times in the run up to the crucial September vote, the music industry shrugged off the criticism. However, Wojcicki now warns that the damage could go further still, by negatively affecting access to content that&#8217;s already on the platform.</p>
<p>&#8220;[Article 13] threatens to block users in the EU from viewing content that is already live on the channels of creators everywhere. This includes YouTube’s incredible video library of educational content, such as language classes, physics tutorials and other how-to’s,&#8221; the YouTube CEO warns.</p>
<p>&#8220;This legislation poses a threat to both your livelihood and your ability to share your voice with the world. And, if implemented as proposed, Article 13 threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs, European creators, businesses, artists and everyone they employ.&#8221;</p>
<p>In the run-up to the vote, opponents of the amendments said that the adoption of Article 13 would mean putting even more power into the hands of corporations.</p>
<p>On the one hand, difficulties in complying with the new law would mean only the biggest companies would be able to police uploads effectively. On the other, smaller uploaders might not be adept at ensuring that uploads are non-infringing and with liability for that content passed to sites like YouTube, platforms might not accept those uploads. This, Wojcicki says, is a very real threat.</p>
<p>&#8220;The proposal could force platforms, like YouTube, to allow only content from a small number of large companies. It would be too risky for platforms to host content from smaller original content creators, because the platforms would now be directly liable for that content,&#8221; she <a href="https://youtube-creators.googleblog.com/2018/10/a-final-update-on-our-priorities-for.html">explained</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;We realize the importance of all rights holders being fairly compensated, which is why we built Content ID and a platform to pay out all types of content owners. But the unintended consequences of Article 13 will put this ecosystem at risk.&#8221;</p>
<p>In closing, the YouTube CEO says the company is committed to building bridges with industry. However, if the fiery rhetoric that hit the Internet in the run-up to September&#8217;s vote is any indication of things to come, it seems unlikely that the labels will water down their requirements now.</p>
<p>Still, the precise wording of Article 13 is yet to be finalized, so YouTube hopes that there is still some room for maneuver.</p>
<p>&#8220;Please take a moment to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/yt/saveyourinternet/">learn more</a> about how it could affect your channel and take action immediately. Tell the world through social media (#SaveYourInternet) and your channel why the creator economy is important and how this legislation will impact you,&#8221; Wojcicki concludes.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162950
title: Facebook and Amazon Flagged Among ‘Notorious’ Pirate Sites
uri: Facebook-and-Amazon-Flagged-Among-Notorious-Pirate-Sites
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/pMVyuODUHhA/
content:
<p><img src="media/9e03ed59.fakebook1.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/fakebook1.png" alt="" width="277" height="137" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163054">Responding to a request from the US Trade Representative (USTR), various copyright holder groups have submitted their overviews of ‘notorious’ markets in recent weeks.</p>
<p>These annual submissions help to guide the U.S. Government’s position toward foreign countries when it comes to copyright enforcement.</p>
<p>We previously covered the submissions from the <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/bulletproof-hosting-is-an-emerging-piracy-threat-riaa-warns-181004/">RIAA</a>, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-reports-notorious-piracy-threats-to-the-us-government-181003/">MPAA</a>, and <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-reports-notorious-piracy-threats-to-the-us-government-181003/">ESA</a>, who all listed a wide variety of pirate sites including torrent, streaming, MP3-downloaders, and ROM archives. </p>
<p>Late last week another submission caught our eye. While the official deadline had already passed, the Swiss company <a href="https://www.maus.ch/en/landmark-brands/">Maus Frères</a> submitted an overview of problematic sites that have a bad reputation when it comes to copyright infringement. Counterfeiting to be precise. </p>
<p>Maus Frères has a stake in several major brands including Lacoste and Gant, and it highlights Facebook as a &#8220;notorious&#8221; market. We generally don&#8217;t cover counterfeit goods, but since it&#8217;s part of the same &#8220;notorious markets&#8221; process, it adds some relevant context here. </p>
<p>&#8220;Very large volume of obvious Lacoste fakes found on Facebook,&#8221; the Swiss company writes in <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USTR-2018-0027-0029">its submission</a>. </p>
<p>&#8220;Large number of Lacoste look-alike pages, using our trademarks, logos and images without authorization. Based on a visual analysis of the first 100 posts when searching &#8216;Lacoste bag&#8217;, 84% of posts were offering counterfeit bags for sale.&#8221; </p>
<p>Maus Frères notes that thousands of infringing links are reported every year, adding that Facebook takes no &#8220;obvious&#8221; proactive measures to deal with the problem. The image matching technology, for example, is not available to target fake goods, and repeat infringers are not properly addressed. </p>
<p>&#8220;No obvious penalties for repeat infringers, users have been reported up to 6X on separate occasions. Suspended accounts have been found to come back under similar new usernames. Counterfeiters can post to private groups and can’t be monitored,&#8221; the company informs the US Government.</p>
<p>Facebook is not the only major social network reported as a notorious market. The Russian equivalent VK has been called out as a relatively safe haven for pirates for years. </p>
<p>That said, there is a problem with Facebook&#8217;s listing. The USTR&#8217;s notorious markets overview is only meant for non-US companies. This means that Facebook, and other US-sites listed by the Swiss company, will likely be ignored.</p>
<p>This brings us to another report, submitted by the American Apparel &#038; Footwear Association, which counts popular brands including Adidas and Levi Strauss as members. The organization <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USTR-2018-0027-0011">included</a> Amazon in its overview of notorious copyright-infringing markets. However, it specifically listed the foreign stores. </p>
<p>&#8220;Members consider Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, and Amazon.de to be the most unresponsive and non-compliant Amazon marketplace extensions,&#8221; the Association wrote in its submission, summing up several concerns including fake brands. </p>
<p>&#8220;Members report coming across products that use their trademarks and brand names to identify product, but that are in no way associated with the actual brand. These &#8216;fake brands&#8217; infringe on registered trademarks.&#8221; </p>
<p>In some cases these fake brands and counterfeit stores are removed, only to reappear under a new account. This sounds very similar to the problems copyright holders have with classic pirate sites. </p>
<p>Amazon&#8217;s listing is particularly sensitive as the company has been involved in the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a relatively new anti-piracy coalition. Together with Hollywood&#8217;s major studios and other players, Amazon committed to tackling online copyright infringement. </p>
<p>While the current comments are about counterfeiting, not piracy, being reported as a &#8220;notorious market&#8221; certainly doesn&#8217;t look good.</p>
<p>While Facebook is unlikely to end up on a list of <em>foreign</em> notorious markets, it will be interesting to see what the USTR does with the comments regarding Amazon&#8217;s foreign stores.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163099
title: India Cinemas Put on Lockdown to Prevent ‘Cam’ Piracy
uri: India-Cinemas-Put-on-Lockdown-to-Prevent-Cam-Piracy
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/-9zzzFEjcS0/
content:
<p><a href="media/6bfc8224.cameraspy.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/cameraspy.jpg"><img src="media/f408e481.cameraspy.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/cameraspy.jpg" alt="" width="170" height="164" class="alignright size-full wp-image-49625"></a>While the majority of visitors to torrent and streaming platforms will be searching for the latest Hollywood blockbusters, millions of people are seeking out the marvels of Bollywood instead.</p>
<p>India&#8217;s famous film industry turns out a staggering number of movies each year and many thousands can be found on local and international pirate sites. These often come in the form of so-called &#8216;cams&#8217;, copies of movies recorded in cinemas using anything from camera-enabled smartphones to high-end video cameras.</p>
<p>With leaking of content escalating to crisis levels, theater operators have found themselves under pressure, with some accused of assisting or enabling pirates to make their copies. According to local reports, the Tamil and Telugu film industries &#8211; which contribute more than a third of all film revenues in India &#8211; are particularly affected.</p>
<p>In order to stem the tide, the Tamil Film Producers Council (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Film_Producers_Council">TFPC</a>) has been placing cinema operators under pressure, recently urging digital distribution company <a href="https://www.qubecinema.com/">Qube Cinema Technologies</a> not to supply equipment to nine suspected of being involved in piracy.</p>
<p>“The theatres that are found to be enabling piracy should not be able to play movies anymore. We are meeting the theater owners association on Tuesday to demand some concrete steps,” a TFPC spokesperson <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kollywood/article25275873.ece">reported</a> Monday.</p>
<p>That meeting with the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association took place yesterday as planned and the result was an agreement on a strict <a href="https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/vishal-and-tfpcs-seven-new-rules-to-curb-piracy.html">set of rules</a> designed to prevent pirates from recording the latest movies and uploading them to the Internet.</p>
<p>First up, all cinemas in the southern state of Tamil Nadu must saturate their entire sites with CCTV cameras. That means all inside locations (including projection rooms and customer seating areas) plus outside to cover all parking and entrance areas. These cameras must be installed by November 6, 2018.</p>
<p>Having CCTV cameras is mandatory but it&#8217;s no good if they&#8217;re not in working order. This means that all cameras must be recording 24 hours a day, seven days a week to &#8220;record every single second&#8217;s happening.&#8221;</p>
<p>Cinemas that don&#8217;t take these CCTV warnings seriously will have to face the consequences. There&#8217;s a second installation deadline of November 15, after which sites that are not blanket covered by CCTV will be banned from screening any new films. </p>
<p>Those that meet the criteria will get to screen the latest releases but will still have to comply in other areas.</p>
<p>Local reports say that security guards will be put in place to search customers for recording devices on the way in. Those who get through will then have to sit through &#8220;an awareness documentary&#8221; about piracy, which will highlight the consequences of getting caught &#8216;camming&#8217;.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, two members of cinema staff will be tasked with monitoring audiences, to ensure that no one is able to record any part of a movie, if they somehow manage to get a camera past security.</p>
<p>In parallel, additional measures face those who somehow manage to capture their own copies of the latest movies and upload them to the Internet. A report in <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kollywood/article25275873.ece">The Hindu</a> cites the founder and CEO of anti-piracy outfit Copyright Media on their efforts to disrupt illicit copies.</p>
<p>“As soon as the pirated torrents make their way to the internet search engines, we bump up fake torrents and keep removing actual, good quality torrents using a software to parse through the Google search — and remove the links one by one by flagging Google. Such links are taken down immediately and only the fake torrents remain,” he said.</p>
<p>While fake &#8216;anti-piracy&#8217; torrents are a tactic with roots deep in the last decade, India&#8217;s film producers are also embracing site-blocking and domain suspensions. According to the official Twitter account of the Tamil Film Producers Council, several domains have recently been suspended for piracy.</p>
<p><center></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/SCpjOzSdZn">https://t.co/SCpjOzSdZn</a><a href="https://t.co/8zltttnjTn">https://t.co/8zltttnjTn</a><a href="https://t.co/XOY8Z0O11I">https://t.co/XOY8Z0O11I</a><a href="https://t.co/MbGqknJv4h">https://t.co/MbGqknJv4h</a><a href="https://t.co/u6GMOWe4vE">https://t.co/u6GMOWe4vE</a><a href="https://t.co/NNwWZFCb18">https://t.co/NNwWZFCb18</a><br>List of domains that has been suspended by TFPC Anti Piracy Cell for pirating the movies <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VadaChennai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VadaChennai</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sandaikozhi2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sandaikozhi2</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KillPiracy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KillPiracy</a> <a href="https://t.co/4y0dkBShgC">pic.twitter.com/4y0dkBShgC</a></p>
<p>&mdash; TFPC ANTI PIRACY CELL (@TFPC_Antipiracy) <a href="https://twitter.com/TFPC_Antipiracy/status/1053569399691440128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center></p>
<p>Those breaching India&#8217;s Copyright Act 1957 can be jailed for up to three years with fines of US$2,700 but convictions for cam-related movie piracy are rare, despite thousands of copies being available online.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163083
title: EFF Recommends Measures to Limit Abuse of EU’s Proposed “Upload Filters”
uri: EFF-Recommends-Measures-to-Limit-Abuse-of-EU-s-Proposed-Upload-Fi
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/d8P_oYUV7JA/
content:
<p><img src="media/4838a439.upload.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/upload.png" alt="" width="240" height="164" class="alignright size-full wp-image-114664">In a plenary vote last month, the European Parliament <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/eu-parliament-adopts-controversial-upload-filter-proposal-180912/">backed</a> a slightly amended version of the original Article 13 proposal.</p>
<p>According to critics, the widely protested plan will result in an indirect upload filter requirement for many Internet services.</p>
<p>While the vote has made it more likely that Article 13 will be implemented, it is yet to be set in stone. There is still strong opposition from individuals and groups who fear that it will hurt freedom of expression. </p>
<p>The Electronic Frontier Foundation (<a href="https://www.eff.org/">EFF</a>) has been a critic from day one. The digital rights group fears that, if the European plan is implemented, false copyright claims will lead to increased censorship.</p>
<p>This week the group voiced its concerns in <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/effs-letter-eus-copyright-directive-negotiators">a letter</a> that was sent to all members of the EU bodies that will negotiate the final draft of the proposal.</p>
<p>EFF special consultant Cory Doctorow notes that the low evidentiary standard is particularly problematic. As a result, rightsholders can, intentionally and by accident, submit bogus takedown requests without any repercussions. </p>
<p>This can result in absurd situations where <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/musicians-white-noise-youtube-video-hit-with-copyright-complaints-180105/">white noise</a> or <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3637124">birds chirping</a>, and other harmless content is flagged as copyright infringement.</p>
<p>One solution that could help to limit this type of abuse, according to the EFF, is to hold copyright holders accountable for their takedowns. </p>
<p>&#8220;To limit abuse, Article 13 must, at a minimum, require strong proof of identity from those who seek to add works to an online service provider&#8217;s database of claimed copyrighted works and make ongoing access to Article 13&#8217;s liability regime contingent on maintaining a clean record regarding false copyright claims,&#8221; Doctorow writes.</p>
<p>Keeping track of the accuracy of various takedown requests, and who&#8217;s responsible for them, will help people who are wronged to take legal action in response. In addition, repeat senders of false claims can then be barred from using the automated filters.</p>
<p>&#8220;In the event that rightsholders repeatedly make false copyright claims, online service providers should be permitted to strike them off of their list of trusted claimants, such that these rightsholders must fall back to seeking court orders – with their higher evidentiary standard – to effect removal of materials,&#8221; Doctorow adds.</p>
<p>As a result, Internet services should not be held liable for reports which are submitted by copyright holders who have been struck off. And to prevent a whack-a-mole situation, information about penalized rightsholders should be shared in public so they can be removed by other services as well. </p>
<p>&#8220;Online service providers should be able to pre-emptively strike off a rightsholder who has been found to be abusive of Article 13 by another provider,&#8221; the EFF notes.</p>
<p>By adding more transparency and accountability, the EFF hopes that Article 13 will be more balanced. It, therefore, encourages the negotiators to consider these recommendations, as well as several possible improvements to Article 11, the so-called &#8220;link tax&#8221;.</p>
<p>The coming months will turn out to be crucial for the EU&#8217;s copyright reform. Not only will the final text be agreed upon during the &#8220;trilogue&#8221; meetings, the <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/italy-steps-defend-eu-internet-users-against-copyright-filters-who-will-be-next">EFF notes</a> that there is also a chance that the controversial copyright reform plans will be blocked by member states. </p>
<p>Following local protests, the Italian Government recently opted to ban both Article 11 and Article 13. And with other opposing member states, there is a chance that a “blocking minority” could oppose the reform plans. That is, if all opposing members can agree on how to move forward.</p>
<p>In light of the recent setbacks, that offers a glimmer of hope to opponents of the upload filter proposals, but for now they&#8217;re still fighting at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163128
title: Rightsholders Slammed, Even as Aussie Anti-Piracy Proposals Get Full Support
uri: Rightsholders-Slammed-Even-as-Aussie-Anti-Piracy-Proposals-Get-Full-S
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/MNI3hX2CdXg/
content:
<p><a href="media/c5e87d4f.aus.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/aus.jpg"><img src="media/dbb74c88.aus.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/aus.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="159" class="alignright size-full wp-image-96798"></a>With site-blocking measures in full swing Down Under, entertainment industry groups want to tighten up the law further still, in order to tackle the piracy problem more easily.</p>
<p>The recently introduced <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;page=0;query=BillId:r6209%20Recstruct:billhome">Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2018</a> aims to provide the solution. Born out of frustration with apparent loopholes in current legislation, the new proposals are targeted at circumvention techniques that render blocking less effective.</p>
<p>As previously <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/australia-targets-google-with-tough-new-anti-piracy-law-181018/">reported</a>, the bill will enable mirrors and proxies of pirate sites to be blocked much more quickly out of court, after an injunction has been handed down. It also targets search engines such as Google, which will be forbidden from displaying links to blocked sites in search results.</p>
<p>Another, perhaps less obvious detail in the legislation was highlighted during the bill&#8217;s <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/summary/summary.w3p;query=BillId_Phrase%3A%22r6209%22%20Dataset%3Ahansardr,hansards%20Title%3A%22second%20reading%22;rec=0">second reading</a> in parliament yesterday.</p>
<p>Under current law, injunctions are able to block access to sites &#8220;with a primary purpose to infringe&#8221;, meaning that the more blatant torrent and streaming portals fall neatly into place. However, amendments currently on the table will also target sites with &#8220;the primary effect&#8221; of infringing of facilitating infringement, which is a subtle but important addition.</p>
<p>This expansion has the potential to scoop up all kinds of services, particularly file-hosting platforms that, for whatever reason, prove popular with pirates. With set-top box piracy one of the hottest topics at the moment, it&#8217;s clear that this detail can be used to target content-agnostic services where movies and TV shows may be stored.</p>
<p>&#8220;This addition of the words &#8216;primary effect&#8217; is a significant expansion of the scope of the site-blocking scheme, which had been limited to sites with the primary purpose of infringing copyright only,&#8221; <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F4fa4c3cb-5541-4547-98c1-81b998c56718%2F0032%22">said</a> Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.</p>
<p>&#8220;Stakeholders had been concerned that new websites such as cyberlocker sites, which are frequently used for copyright infringement through file sharing of music, movies and TV shows but which it is difficult to prove exist for that primary purpose, fell outside the scheme. It&#8217;s expected the addition of a primary effect test will bring such sites within the scheme but without unduly widening its scope.&#8221;</p>
<p>While the &#8216;primary effect&#8217; clause could potentially suck in plenty of targets, the bill does allow ministers to exercise discretion. Should the need arise, certain platforms &#8211; whether file-hosters or search engines &#8211; can be completely excluded from the scheme.</p>
<p>&#8220;[This] measure is essentially a safeguard to ensure that injunctions are directed only against larger service providers facilitating the infringing of copyright,&#8221; Dreyfus added.</p>
<p>The Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2018 is fully supported by both the government and the Labor opposition, so it&#8217;s likely to pass into law unhindered. However, there are dissenting voices &#8211; not necessarily over the need to protect copyright &#8211; but in respect of the entertainment industries&#8217; failure to do more.</p>
<p>In a scathing attack, Labor MP Ed Husic urged people to &#8220;face up to big rights holders&#8221; and the &#8220;hysterical arguments&#8221; presented in the anti-piracy debate.</p>
<p>&#8220;No-one supports piracy. No-one should support piracy. Piracy is theft — I totally get that,&#8221; Husic said.</p>
<p>&#8220;We support this bill, but the problem is that the bloated, greedy, resistant-to-change rights holders will always refuse to reform in this space. Copyright reform is used as their way to shield themselves from the modern era, to shield themselves from new ways of doing things.&#8221;</p>
<p>Husic challenged the notion that the Internet presented a challenge to rightsholders; their mentality and resistance to change is their biggest problem.</p>
<p>&#8220;These rights holders think that, by constantly using legal mechanisms through this place and elsewhere, piracy will disappear. The reality is that piracy is a reflection of a market failure,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>&#8220;I do not excuse, condone or support piracy, but I do recognize that it is a reflection of market failure, where producers are making an offering that is not in line with consumer expectations and the access is not in line with consumer expectation.</p>
<p>&#8220;What we are providing for with these types of bills, which the rights holders all champion, support and claim credit for, is a form of regulatory hallucinogen, where they think that, if they get this type of regulatory reform through, piracy will disappear. No, it won&#8217;t. When rights holders get serious about the consumer offering and the way in which they&#8217;re helping consumers access content in a much more affordable way, that will have a bigger impact,&#8221; he added.</p>
<p>In his speech (available <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=BillId_Phrase%3A%22r6209%22%20Dataset%3Ahansardr,hansards%20Title%3A%22second%20reading%22;rec=3">here</a>), Husic also took aim at Village Roadshow chief Graham Burke, whose fiery anti-piracy rhetoric has become a rallying cry for rightsholders in Australia.</p>
<p>Husic accused the industry veteran of wanting to curate content available on search engines, having the economy and ISPs pick up the bill, while offering the public less choice. Only a change in business model will really solve the problem, Husic added, while urging caution over what further demands rightsholders will make, once the current ones are in the bank.</p>
<p>&#8220;I imagine at some point we&#8217;re going to have a debate in here about banning VPNs because they allow people to access content on other sides of the planet that aren&#8217;t able to be accessed here. At what point do we see the rights holders make that argument? I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if we see it soon,&#8221; Husic warned.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163134
title: Court Orders “ZemTV” Kodi Addon Developer to Pay $650,000 Piracy Damages
uri: Court-Orders-ZemTV-Kodi-Addon-Developer-to-Pay-650-000-Piracy-D
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/FSG_lxaJ_g0/
content:
<p><img src="media/60695266.zemtv.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/zemtv.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="172" class="alignright size-full wp-image-147486">Last year, American satellite and broadcast provider Dish Network targeted two well-known players in the third-party Kodi add-on ecosystem.</p>
<p>In a complaint filed in a federal court in Texas, the persons behind the ZemTV addon and the TVAddons library <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/dish-network-sues-zemtv-and-tv-addons-for-copyright-infringement-170605/">were accused</a> of copyright infringement. </p>
<p>Following a confidential settlement, last month Dish Network dismissed its lawsuit against TVAddons founder Adam Lackman. However, ZemTV developer Shahjahan Durrani, Shani for short, remained at risk.</p>
<p>The UK-based Kodi-addon programmer initially planned to defend himself but had to give up this fight due to the high costs. As a result, Dish moved for a default judgment which has now been granted.</p>
<p>Without a proper defense, US District Court Judge Vanessa Gilmore agreed that Shani is indeed liable for the copyright infringements that were carried out through his addon.</p>
<p>&#8220;Defendant developed ZemTV and then distributed and supported it through [..TVAddons..], resulting in his unauthorized retransmission of the Protected Channels and causing injury to Plaintiff throughout the United States. Therefore, Defendant is liable for direct copyright infringement,&#8221; Judge Gilmore writes.</p>
<p>&#8220;Defendant engaged in these illegal activities for more than 16 months, despite having received Plaintiff‘s notices of infringement from his service providers and Tvaddons.&#8221; </p>
<p>Dish previously argued that ZemTV&#8217;s infringing activities were willful and asked for the maximum statutory damages of $150,000 per infringed work. This would serve as a clear deterrent to Shani and other infringing Kodi-addon developers, the company said.</p>
<p>The Judge doesn&#8217;t want to go that far though. Instead, the developer is ordered to pay a third of the requested amount, which adds up to $650,000.</p>
<p>&#8220;The amount consisting of $50,000.00 for each of its thirteen registered, copyrighted works that Defendant willfully infringed by retransmitting these copyrighted works without authorization on ZemTV,&#8221; Judge Gilmore writes.</p>
<p>A negative outcome was nearly unavoidable as the developer didn&#8217;t defend himself. In addition to the damages, Shani is also barred from distributing ZemTV or any similar addons in the future. </p>
<p>TorrentFreak reached out to Shani who is not convinced that Dish is &#8216;winning&#8217; anything with this verdict, as the external sources that were used by his addon remain online.</p>
<p>&#8220;Dish are still at the same place they started. They didn’t lose any money due to the addon and the sources which the addon scanned still are online. The Zem addon is not maintained so obviously it won’t work, but the apps and servers it scanned are still working. </p>
<p>&#8220;Based on their complaint, we should see a 10-fold increase in their subscriptions. Well, I won’t hold my breath, Shani tells us. </p>
<p>Whether Dish will actually recoup any of the damages has yet to be seen. The addon developer gave up the legal fight due to a lack of funds, so it seems unlikely that he can pay $650,000, if he intends to pay at all. </p>
<p>The default judgment wraps up the Dish lawsuit, which was one of the first enforcement efforts related to Kodi piracy. While Kodi itself is perfectly legal software, the entertainment industry is determined to root out the piracy links. </p>
<p>This and other efforts appear to have had some effect, as Comparitech <a href="https://www.comparitech.com/kodi/kodi-piracy-decline/">highlights</a> that Kodi-related search traffic has dropped significantly over the past year. Google&#8217;s <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/google-adds-kodi-to-autocomplete-piracy-filter-180328/">autocomplete ban</a> likely plays a role here, but it seems plausible that the various anti-piracy efforts are paying off too.</p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>A copy of the default judgment issued yesterday by Texas US District Court Judge Vanessa Gilmore is available <a href="media/a4700a28.ZemTVdefault.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/ZemTVdefault.pdf">here (pdf)</a>.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163196
title: Swedish ISP Telia Appeals Pirate Bay Blocking Order
uri: Swedish-ISP-Telia-Appeals-Pirate-Bay-Blocking-Order
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/_t4reihbo9k/
content:
<p><img src="media/932e6d7d.thepirate-e1470829181981.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/thepirate-e1470829181981.jpg" alt="" width="220" height="206" class="alignright size-full wp-image-116122">Earlier this year, several major Hollywood studios including Disney, Universal Studios and Warner Bros, teamed up with Swedish movie outfits to expand the local Pirate Bay blockade. </p>
<p>After obtaining a <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/the-pirate-bay-must-be-blocked-in-sweden-court-of-appeal-rules-170213/">blocking order</a> against local Internet provider Bredbandsbolaget, the film companies wanted Telia, Sweden&#8217;s largest ISP, to follow suit.</p>
<p>Last week the film companies booked a major victory when the Swedish Patent and Market Court ordered Telia to block access to The Pirate Bay, Dreamfilm, Nyafilmer, and Fmovies.</p>
<p>The interim decision requires the ISP to start blocking the sites at the end of the month and is valid until the case is finalized. Telia is not happy with the decision, however, and today announced an appeal. </p>
<p>Telia&#8217;s spokesperson Irene Krohn tells <a href="https://computersweden.idg.se/2.2683/1.708743/domstol-telia-blockera-piratebay">Computer Sweden</a> that the company doesn&#8217;t agree with the Court&#8217;s assessment. </p>
<p>The Patent and Market Court ruled that proportional site-blocking injunctions are warranted under EU law, noting that the Swedish Copyright Act should be interpreted in the same manner. </p>
<p>Telia clearly disagrees and intends to make its position clear during the appeal.</p>
<p>&#8220;We appeal because it&#8217;s a principally important question for us and the Internet. We interpret the law differently than the court, and it is something that we will continue to make clear during the court process,&#8221; she says.</p>
<p>Previously, fellow ISP Bredbandsbolaget also appealed a similar blocking order, but without the desired result. </p>
<p>Whatever the outcome, the interim decision stands which means that Telia&#8217;s subscribers will at least be barred from accessing The Pirate Bay and the other sites for the time being.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163183
title: Copyright Office Adds DMCA Exemption for ‘Abandoned’ Online Games
uri: Copyright-Office-Adds-DMCA-Exemption-for-Abandoned-Online-Games
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/20Elgi-CQVk/
content:
<p><img src="media/5355a57a.starwarsf.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/starwarsf.png" alt="" width="235" height="225" class="alignright size-full wp-image-148899">There are a lot of things people are not allowed to do under US copyright law, but perhaps just as importantly there are exemptions.</p>
<p>The U.S. Copyright Office regularly reviews these exemptions to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-circumvention">Section 1201 of the DMCA</a>, which prevent the public from ‘tinkering’ with DRM-protected content and devices. </p>
<p>These provisions are renewed every three years after the Office hears various arguments from stakeholders and the general public. This year, <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=COLC-2017-0007-0070">this process</a> has resulted in some noteworthy changes</p>
<p>There was a major victory for the “right to repair” movement, as Vice <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/xw9bwd/1201-exemptions-right-to-repair">points out</a>, which gives the public more leeway to fix their own devices even if the means that they have to break DRM in the process. </p>
<p>In addition, there&#8217;s also an important update related to the preservation of abandoned games. </p>
<p>To preserve these games for future generations and nostalgic gamers, the Copyright Office previously included game preservation exemptions. This meant that libraries, archives, and museums can use emulators and other circumvention tools to make old classics playable.</p>
<p>However, these exemptions are limited and do not apply to games that require a connection to an online server, which includes the most recent games. When the online servers are taken down, the game simply disappears forever.</p>
<p>To address this, several game fans including San Francisco&#8217;s Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (<a href="https://www.themade.org/">The MADE</a>) urged the Copyright Office to expand the DMCA exemptions to online games. And with the release of the new exemptions, game archivists gained some new freedoms. </p>
<p>The new exemptions will allow preservation institutions who legally possess a copy of a video game’s server code and the game’s local code, to break DRM and other technological restrictions to make these playable.</p>
<p>This type of &#8220;tinkering&#8221; is seen as fair use by the Government, which rejects critique from the major game companies who fear that this may hurt sales of the games they sell. </p>
<p><center><strong>Part of the new exemptions (<a href="media/2a71f2c9.DMCA-exemptions-2018-23241.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/DMCA-exemptions-2018-23241.pdf">full decision here</a>)</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/7dd3fe03.gameexem.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/gameexem.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="406" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163193"></center></p>
<p>The MADE founder Alex Handy informs TorrentFreak he is happy with the decision but notes that there still is a long way to go before all games can be legally archived.</p>
<p>&#8220;While this exemption does not necessarily fix all the problems that are out there in the difficult realm of digital preservation, it is another step forward toward reforming our extremely restrictive digital copyright laws,&#8221; Handy tells us. </p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve gained a small victory that will help us save dead MMOs, provided, of course, we have been given the original server code by the owning entity. The exemption allows us to circumvent any DRM or other restrictions included in the game, or around it.&#8221;</p>
<p>The exemption process generally moves slowly but for game preservationists, this is certainly a step in the right direction. Handy notes that the Copyright Office put a lot of work into their review, but that it may not fully understand what&#8217;s at stake here. </p>
<p>Without proper exemptions to legally archive works, many games are at risk of being lost forever.   </p>
<p>&#8220;When George Martin was asked why he hadn&#8217;t saved more Beatles outtakes and recordings, he responded that he didn&#8217;t know anyone would care about those things in the future,&#8221; Handy says.</p>
<p>&#8220;The same thing is going on in the games industry, and it is only very recently that most companies in the industry have begun to properly preserve their histories, source code and all.&#8221;</p>
<p>This was also illustrated by James Clarendon, software development manager at Amazon, during <a href="media/cb4cdde8.1201-Rulemaking-Public-Roundtable-04-23-2018.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/hearing-transcripts/1201-Rulemaking-Public-Roundtable-04-23-2018.pdf">a hearing</a> on the exemptions earlier this year. He worked for 2K Games in 2012 and was confronted with this problem when the company wanted to reissue their megahit BioShock after five years. </p>
<p>&#8220;The problem was, was that no archive of that game existed and nobody had actually put in the time to build an archive for that. We had to scour people’s machines, artists, engineers, everybody&#8217;s machines to find the missing pieces and put it back together,&#8221; Clarendon said, adding that they didn&#8217;t manage to reissue the full original.</p>
<p>The MADE says that it will continue work to widen the exemptions until all games can be properly archived. That will likely take a few more hearings, at a minimum, but they believe it&#8217;s worth the effort.</p>
<p>&#8220;The MADE is thankful for everyone who helped out in this project, including our friends in the industry, the folks at Reddit&#8217;s PCMasterRace and our lawyers from UC Berkeley,&#8221; Handy says. </p>
<p>A full overview of the Copyright Office&#8217;s final rules is available <a href="media/2a71f2c9.DMCA-exemptions-2018-23241.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/DMCA-exemptions-2018-23241.pdf">here (pdf)</a>. This also includes a new DMCA circumvention exemption for filmmakers to rip a DVD or Blu-Ray disc, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/filmmakers-want-the-right-to-break-drm-and-rip-blu-rays-171228/">beyond the documentary genre</a>, although that remains limited.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163032
title: JustWatch Video Search Engine Calls For MPAA ‘Pirate’ Blacklist
uri: JustWatch-Video-Search-Engine-Calls-For-MPAA-Pirate-Blacklist
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/FVDMZnGrZDg/
content:
<p><a href="media/a5a6258d.51R8OjhFkBL-e1540386964712.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/51R8OjhFkBL-e1540386964712.png"><img src="media/a5a6258d.51R8OjhFkBL-e1540386964712.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/51R8OjhFkBL-e1540386964712.png" alt="" width="230" height="230" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163117"></a>For those unfamiliar with the service, <a href="https://www.justwatch.com">JustWatch</a> is a search engine that aims to direct consumers to legal options for TV shows and movies.</p>
<p>&#8220;We show you where you can legally watch movies and TV shows that you love. You are kept up to date with what is new on Netflix, Amazon Prime, iTunes and many other streaming platforms,&#8221; the company explains.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our simple filter system allows you to see only what is important to you. We also tell you where and when to watch movies on the big screen so you never miss when a movie is running in cinema again.&#8221;</p>
<p>TF covered JustWatch back in 2015 after the company <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/googles-pirate-update-fails-to-punish-streaming-sites-151105/">acknowledged</a> the negative effect Google&#8217;s &#8220;<a href="http://torrentfreak.com/googles-new-downranking-hits-pirate-sites-hard-141023/">Pirate Update</a>&#8221; had on torrent sites but somehow left streaming sites relatively unscathed.</p>
<p>Speaking with JustWatch this week, we asked the company if anything had changed over the past three years. Noting that a dedicated report will be out in the coming months, JustWatch says that it&#8217;s still unhappy with the situation at Google.</p>
<p>&#8220;We can already tell you that the situation (obviously) hasn’t changed much,&#8221; JustWatch Head of Growth Lise Le Petit told us.</p>
<p>&#8220;Google takes those illegal sites down regularly, but new ones pop up really fast and climb up in rankings pretty quick. In the end, there are as many pirate sites as 4 years ago swarming the Google search &#8211; they are just different ones.&#8221;</p>
<p>The big question, then, is what can be done? JustWatch says that instead of tackling problems once they&#8217;ve appeared in search results, Google should prevent sites from being indexed in the first place. And this where the controversy begins.</p>
<p>&#8220;Google could build up a Domain-Blacklist, which is owned/maintained by the MPAA in the US and Google, and would filter websites infringing on copyright,&#8221; Le Petit says.</p>
<p>&#8220;A company files against a whole domain and within a certain timeframe (2-3 weeks) all results of this website get deleted. We guess illegal sites won’t officially reply. The idea would be that instead of cleaning out single URLs, spammy domains would get flagged instantly as a whole.&#8221;</p>
<p>JustWatch doesn&#8217;t really believe such a thing will be implemented since Google &#8220;will never give away power over what they decide to show or not in their search result pages.&#8221; That being said, Google isn&#8217;t the only problem here.</p>
<p>A couple of weeks ago we <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/legal-search-engine-with-pirate-keywords-confuses-web-sheriff-181014/">reported</a> how another search engine for legal content had experienced problems with wrongful DMCA notices targeting its domain. So, we wondered, might JustWatch be suffering the same issues?</p>
<p>A swift look at Google&#8217;s Transparency Report reveals that JustWatch, despite being entirely legal, is regularly targeted by anti-piracy companies. They write to Google claiming JustWatch is a pirate site and demanding that links are taken down from its indexes.</p>
<p><center><b>JustWatch &#8211; regularly and wrongfully targeted</b><a href="media/3a958ea7.just-watch-dmca-e1540397762603.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/just-watch-dmca-e1540397762603.png"><img src="media/3a958ea7.just-watch-dmca-e1540397762603.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/just-watch-dmca-e1540397762603.png" alt="" width="600" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-163124"></a></center></p>
<p>The great irony here is that these companies end up taking down links to their own legal content, if Google lets their erroneous claims slip through. Worse still, even though Hollywood is being touted as a possible &#8220;blacklist&#8221; maintainer, plenty of movie companies and their business partners are wrongfully taking down links to a perfectly legal platform.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://lumendatabase.org/notices/16101562">notice from March 2018</a>, Disney demands that a JustWatch link to Zootopia should be removed. In fact, JustWatch was simply promoting <a href="https://www.justwatch.com/ru/%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BC/zootopia">legal platforms</a> where people can buy the movie.</p>
<p>In another, Sony Pictures Worldwide <a href="https://lumendatabase.org/notices/11014720">attempted to take down</a> a JustWatch link to the movie No Way Jose, which was <a href="https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/no-way-jose">advising people</a> to buy the movie from Apple, Google Play, and Amazon, among others.</p>
<p>Amazon itself can&#8217;t escape criticism either. In a <a href="https://lumendatabase.org/notices/16312389">notice</a> sent by its anti-piracy company to &#8216;protect&#8217; the TV show Inside Edge on Prime Video, the company tried to take down a <a href="https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/inside-edge/season-1">JustWatch page</a> which was actually trying to drive sales to Amazon.</p>
<p><center><b>Is driving Amazon sales a crime? Apparently&#8230;</b><a href="media/2311e1de.inside-edge-e1540395842192.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/inside-edge-e1540395842192.png"><img src="media/2311e1de.inside-edge-e1540395842192.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/inside-edge-e1540395842192.png" alt="" width="600" height="466" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-163123"></a></center></p>
<p>While JustWatch would like to see some kind of blacklist, the company understands the pitfalls. It believes that transparency could be part of the solution, in much the same way that Google&#8217;s Transparency report shines light on the often-messy DMCA takedown process.</p>
<p>&#8220;The major drawback we see is the risk of censorship for websites that do not suit the MPAA &#8211; which is why this is a pretty controversial topic &#8211; and it should be,&#8221; Le Petit says.</p>
<p>&#8220;Although, if there is the will to change, one could make such a list accessible and transparent (including its criteria) to the public &#8211; plus the option for everyone to file against entries, for example.</p>
<p>&#8220;In the end, the real question is whether leaving full control to the black hole that is Google is better than creating a blacklist that might be seen as censorship,&#8221; she concludes.</p>
<p>Just like rightsholders, JustWatch has a vested interest in seeing &#8216;pirate&#8217; links disappear from search results since that elevates its own links towards Google&#8217;s front page.</p>
<p>That said, Google doesn&#8217;t seem keen to censor sites voluntarily but the world could get a glimpse of what that looks like fairly soon regardless, with Australia edging closer to <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/rightsholders-slammed-even-as-aussie-anti-piracy-proposals-get-full-support-181025/">approving legislation</a> to remove blocked pirate sites from search results.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=162736
title: SickRage Rebrands to SickChill to Avoid Trademark War
uri: SickRage-Rebrands-to-SickChill-to-Avoid-Trademark-War
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/eFjmeRH2msc/
content:
<p><a href="media/04e64381.trademark.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/trademark.jpg"><img src="media/990a5f8c.trademark.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/trademark.jpg" alt="" width="190" height="191" class="alignright size-full wp-image-112877"></a>Earlier this month we reported on problems facing SickRage, a successful &#8216;fork&#8217; of the Sick Beard PVR-like software that utilizes Usenet, torrent indexers, and TheTVDB to identify airing dates for TV shows and automatically download them whenever they became available. </p>
<p>SickRage is a GNU General Public Licensed tool that improved on Sick Beard to gain an impressive following. However, a growing dispute with a former developer known as Echel0n has proven a distraction for the past year, with Echel0n launching his own SickRage variant (SickRageTV) at SickRage.ca and filing complaints with Github to have SickRage taken down.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the problems haven&#8217;t stopped there. In addition to the DMCA notices filed against his former project, Echel0n filed a <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/ongoing-sickrage-dispute-descends-into-trademark-war-181008/">trademark application</a> in September in an effort to prevent his old team from using the term &#8216;SickRage&#8217;.</p>
<p><center><strong>SickRage trademark filing</strong><br></br></center><center><a href="media/388985d3.sickrage-tm-e1538990261508.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage-tm-e1538990261508.png"><img src="media/388985d3.sickrage-tm-e1538990261508.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sickrage-tm-e1538990261508.png" alt="" width="600" height="322" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162425"></a></center></p>
<p>Brandishing this <a href="http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&#038;state=4806:lhrmin.2.1">application</a>, Echel0n (real name Justin Tabish) fired off a complaint to developer Dustyn Gibson (aka &#8216;<a href="https://github.com/miigotu">Miigotu</a>&#8216;) of the SickRage project, warning him to cease and desist using the SickRage trademark.</p>
<p>The application and subsequent threats haven&#8217;t been particularly well-received by many in the SickRage community. Tabish, however, won&#8217;t have a fight on his hands. The SickRage team informs TorrentFreak that they will &#8220;totally wipe their hands of this Echel0n nonsense&#8221; by undergoing a rebranding exercise. Moving forward, the old SickRage project will now be known as <a href="https://github.com/SickChill/SickChill">SickChill</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;Even though it was giving [Echel0n] what he wanted, it was in the best interest of the users to distance themselves from the copyright infringement issues he has opened for anything related to his (yet to be granted) trademarked work &#8216;Sickrage&#8217;,&#8221; SickChill developer Miigotu informs TF.</p>
<p>Indeed, a timeline reviewed by TorrentFreak reveals that while Echel0n was involved in the project as early as March 2014, the years that followed were peppered by friction and multiple disputes, reaching peaks in July 2017 with multiple DMCA notices filed by Echel0n, with further attempts at taking over the project on Github this October.</p>
<p>Miigotu also reveals that on October 5, 2018, Echel0n attempted to starve the project of its income.</p>
<p>&#8220;Echel0n filed an IP infringement with PayPal and had my PayPal locked, claiming I was stealing and selling his product because I had a donation button on our wiki. It was restored about a week later,&#8221; Miigotu explains.</p>
<p>In addition to reports that Echel0n previously added bitcoin-mining software to his SickRage variant at SickRage.ca, <a href="https://github.com/SickChill/SickChill/issues/4984#issuecomment-430776224">a report on Github</a> just over a week ago revealed more issues, with a trojan reportedly being served from the .ca domain.</p>
<p>While Google&#8217;s malware scanner currently reports no issues with the domain, TorrentFreak&#8217;s attempts to reach SickRage.ca were prevented by a trojan warning generated by MalwareBytes.</p>
<p>&#8220;We found proof that his software is malicious and using his personal computer as a requests auth adapter for all providers, so all of the users&#8217; logins for private trackers pass through his gateway, and scanners actually pick this traffic up,&#8221; Miigotu claims.</p>
<p>For his part, Echel0n says that the bitcoin mining was quickly discontinued and he denies that tracker logins were ever stored.</p>
<p>&#8220;[T]he bitcoin mining was publicly announced on my forums as a means to help pay for the project servers, shortly it was stopped/removed as it caused more issues than good,&#8221; <a href="http://disq.us/p/1we8vu5">he said</a> in a response to Miigotu.</p>
<p>&#8220;Never has SiCKRAGE stored private torrent tracker login details, you&#8217;re a coder you should know this as the app doesn&#8217;t transmit any of that data!&#8221;</p>
<p>It&#8217;s unclear whether the warring factions will now be able to go in their own directions in peace, or whether the problems will persist moving forward. It&#8217;s probably safe to say, however, that both projects will benefit when less time is taken up by fighting.</p>
<p>The rebranded SickChill project can be found <a href="https://github.com/SickChill/SickChill">here</a>, with all references to SickRage now removed. The domain SickRage.tv is also for sale, with all proceeds going to the EFF.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163061
title: YouTube Ripper Slams Record Labels Over “Absurdity” and “Amnesia”
uri: YouTube-Ripper-Slams-Record-Labels-Over-Absurdity-and-Amnesia
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/rLWeQ7Fu2rQ/
content:
<p><img src="media/34e023fb.sadyoutube.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/sadyoutube.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="196" class="alignright size-full wp-image-117196">Over the years we have covered dozens of piracy-related lawsuits, mostly from US courts. In many of these cases, defendants are foreign sites or services which don&#8217;t put up much of a fight. </p>
<p>That doesn&#8217;t appear to be true for the copyright infringement lawsuit a group of major record labels <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/major-labels-sue-more-youtube-ripper-sites-180806/">recently brought against</a> Tofig Kurbanov.</p>
<p>Right off the bat, the Russian operator of the YouTube rippers FLVTO.biz and 2conv.com hit back with a motion to dismiss. Helped by a team of several prominent lawyers, he argued that the Virginia federal court lacked jurisdiction. </p>
<p>The record labels, including Universal, Warner Bros, and Sony, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/operator-of-youtube-rippers-should-stand-trial-in-the-us-major-labels-say-181019/">countered the motion</a> last week, but this was quickly followed by a response brief from the defense team. </p>
<p>At this stage of the case, both sides are arguing whether the Russian site operator can stand trial in the US, Virginia in particular. The record labels said yes, noting (among other things) that the sites use domain names that are administered by the VeriSign and Neustar registries, which are both headquartered in Virginia.  </p>
<p>In its reply this week, the defense team notes that this argument is not just silly, but the height of absurdity.</p>
<p>&#8220;Because the Court will be tempted to believe that Plaintiffs are simply making a silly argument – as opposed to a patently absurd one – Plaintiffs’ actual argument needs to be articulated,&#8221; Mr. Kurbanov&#8217;s lawyers write.</p>
<p>They explain that the record labels don&#8217;t argue that their client registered the domain names with Verisign or Neustar, which they would see as a silly argument to warrant jurisdiction. No, these registries &#8216;merely&#8217; oversee the top level domains, .com and .biz respectively.</p>
<p>&#8220;Plaintiffs here instead argue that – even though Defendant’s Websites were registered through Arizona registrar GoDaddy.com – jurisdiction is proper in Virginia because Verisign, Inc. oversees the entire top-level .com domain and Neustar, Inc. oversees the entire top-level .biz domain. </p>
<p>&#8220;Currently, there are 137.9 million registered .com domains and an additional 2.25 million .biz domains. Under Plaintiffs’ theory, every owner of each of those 140+ million domains are subject to personal jurisdiction in Virginia,&#8221; they add.</p>
<p><center><strong>FLVTO</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/82e93ee3.flvto-1.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/flvto-1.png" alt="" width="633" height="302" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163086"></center></p>
<p>The defense argues that the site operator shouldn&#8217;t stand trial at all, but if the court decides otherwise, a transfer to a California federal court is requested. The labels objected to this as well last week, noting that it would be &#8220;less convenient&#8221; for all parties.</p>
<p>However, the defense has an interesting comeback to these arguments, noting that the labels themselves chose California for their case against YouTube-MP3, another stream ripper.</p>
<p>&#8220;Plaintiffs seem to have a touch of amnesia, forgetting that they brought a near-identical lawsuit two years ago in the Central District of California where they argued that jurisdiction was proper in part because, they alleged, that was &#8216;where several Plaintiffs are located and/or maintain substantial business operations&#8217;,&#8221; the defense writes.</p>
<p>In addition, they point out that several labels are located in California, as well as YouTube, several advertising brokers, as well as more visitors of the websites in question.</p>
<p>According to the defense, the only reason why the record labels would prefer Virginia is the so-called &#8220;rocket docket,&#8221; referring to the speedy resolution of the cases in that jurisdiction.</p>
<p>&#8220;Plaintiffs’ only (apparent) motivation for being in the Eastern District of Virginia is to take advantage of the Court’s rocket docket. The Visigoths are indeed at the gate,&#8221; the defense writes, ending with an ominous reference.</p>
<p>Both the site operator and the labels have listed a wide variety of arguments and counter-arguments to convince the court that they are right. At this point, it&#8217;s impossible to tell in which direction things will go, but the recent filings show that the Russian site operator is putting up a thorough defense.  </p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>The defense&#8217;s reply memorandum in support of the motion to dismiss or, in the alternative, transfer to the central district of California, is available <a href="media/cb6c742e.flvto.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/flvto.pdf">here (pdf)</a>.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=161214
title: Will Internet Services Block Europeans to Avoid “Upload Filters”?
uri: Will-Internet-Services-Block-Europeans-to-Avoid-Upload-Filters
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/pIc7RCquqlA/
content:
<p><img src="media/19bd259d.eu-copyright.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/eu-copyright.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="167" class="alignright size-full wp-image-136985">Earlier this year there was a massive uproar, bordering on <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44240664">full-blown panic</a>, about Europe&#8217;s new privacy regulations. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation">GDPR</a> introduced thorough data protections for Europeans, which applies to all sites and services that serve European users.</p>
<p>Suddenly, tens of thousands of websites around the globe had to make sure that they weren&#8217;t crossing any lines with their data collection policies. As a result, people received a flurry of emails asking them to &#8216;update&#8217; their email subscriptions, or agree to new terms.</p>
<p>While the mass hysteria has faded now, the fallout is still noticeable. The good news is that Europeans have regained some of their privacy online, but in some cases, this comes at an unexpected cost. </p>
<p>Several non-EU based websites and publications responded to the GDPR by simply blocking all EU visitors. And, after several months have passed, these blockades are still in place.</p>
<p>Europeans who try to access newspapers such as the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/">NY Daily News</a> or the <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/">Dallas Morning News</a> are not getting in, and USA Today redirect them to a separate portal that offers a &#8220;<a href="https://eu.usatoday.com/">European Experience</a>.&#8221; </p>
<p>Even Unroll.me, which offers people a handy tool to unsubscribe from mailing lists, is <a href="https://gdpr-eu.unroll.me/">off limits</a>. </p>
<p><center><strong>No entry for EU visitors</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/7c979bb3.dallasnews.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/dallasnews.png" alt="" width="600" height="336" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163219"></center></p>
<p>When stumbling upon one of these GDPR blocks this week, it raised a question. What will happen if the EU decides to implement <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/eu-parliament-adopts-controversial-upload-filter-proposal-180912/">Article 13</a> of the proposed new copyright law next year?</p>
<p>Article 13, also known as the &#8216;upload filter&#8217; proposal, will require many large Internet platforms to make licensing deals with rightsholders, or implement measures to block pirated content on their servers. </p>
<p>These requirements are not limited to European companies. They will affect all larger websites and services worldwide that deal with user-uploaded content and are available in the EU.</p>
<p>&#8220;Copyright law, including the current version of Article 13, if passed, applies to all websites visible in the EU, so foreign ones may decide to geoblock because of this, yes,&#8221; the office of Pirate Party MEP Julia Reda informs us. </p>
<p>While it will be easier to hold European companies responsible in court, its scope is similar to the GDPR, which means that it will likely cause some uncertainty among foreign sites as well. </p>
<p>YouTube CEO Susan Wojcick, for one, appears to be pretty concerned as we highlighted <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/youtube-new-eu-copyright-law-could-drastically-change-the-internet-181023/">earlier this week</a>. </p>
<p>“The proposal could force platforms, like YouTube, to allow only content from a small number of large companies. It would be too risky for platforms to host content from smaller original content creators, because the platforms would now be directly liable for that content,” she explained.</p>
<p>While it seems unlikely that YouTube would block the entire service for Europeans, especially because it already has some pretty advanced upload filters, Article 13 might spook other services enough to start geo-blocking. Especially if Europeans are a minority on the platform. </p>
<p>This may sound like unrealistic fearmongering to some, but is it really, if you look at all those sites and publications that still have their GDPR blocks up after months?</p>
<p>This type of self-censorship is not new either. Previously we have seen that several YouTube-ripping sites voluntarily blocked US and UK visitors, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/youtube-mp3-converters-block-uk-traffic-to-avoid-trouble-171029/">fearing legal repercussions</a> from local rightsholders. </p>
<p>If Article 13 does indeed result in geoblocking efforts, it will ironically restrict access to content, much like the GDPR is restricting access to some information and services. </p>
<p>One significant difference compared to the GDRP is that, under the latest text, Article 13 will not apply to &#8220;small&#8221; sites and services. This means that services with less than 50 employees and a balance sheet not exceeding 10 million in annual turnover are excluded.</p>
<p>At the moment various EU bodies are negotiating the final draft of the proposal, which will make clear what&#8217;s at stake here. </p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163057
title: Administrative UK Site-Blocking Should Be Accompanied By Absolute Transparency
uri: Administrative-UK-Site-Blocking-Should-Be-Accompanied-By-Absolute-Tran
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/N47ZMnItA4U/
content:
<p><a href="media/a7e273b1.ukflagwallblocked.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/ukflagwallblocked.jpg"><img src="media/579e4e24.ukflagwallblocked.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/ukflagwallblocked.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="177" class="alignright size-full wp-image-154673"></a>This week, the UK&#8217;s Intellectual Property Office announced that it would be <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/uk-govt-mulls-easy-pirate-site-blocking-streaming-crackdown-181022/">tightening the screws</a> on Internet pirates, including site operators and end consumers.</p>
<p>In addition to examining tactics to disrupt pirate supply chains (by targeting app developers who provide tools to access infringing content, for example), the IPO underlined its support for site-blocking currently in place in the UK. However, to make things easier for copyright holders, the IPO is considering an administrative process that would enable blocking without need for a court injunction. </p>
<p>“Consider the evidence for and potential impact of administrative site blocking (as opposed to requiring a High Court injunction in every case), as well as identifying the mechanisms through which administrative site blocking could be introduced,” the IPO’s statement reads.</p>
<p>While there are plenty of people opposed to site-blocking in any form, the UK is already at the point of no return. So, with the support of the EU&#8217;s highest court, site-blocking isn&#8217;t going into reverse but caution should certainly prevail over where it goes next.</p>
<p>One of the biggest problems is a serious lack of transparency. While initial court orders have been made available over the years, new sites are added to the UK&#8217;s national blacklist without fanfare or announcements from rightsholders. This means that UK citizens are often left wondering why some sites are accessible and why others are not.</p>
<p>Currently, some ISPs in the UK display a splash page indicating that a site has been banned following an order from the High Court. However, for reasons that aren&#8217;t always clear, some sites just refuse to load, displaying SSL errors instead and leaving Internet users to try and connect the dots. It doesn&#8217;t always go well.</p>
<p>Sometime last Saturday afternoon, around the time that the Premier League begins its <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/premier-league-obtains-piracy-blocking-order-for-2018-19-season-180719/">usual site-blocking action</a> in the UK, TorrentFreak received messages that sites dedicated to providing proxy access to streaming and torrent platforms were being rendered inaccessible in the UK.</p>
<p>A site operator asked us whether his domain may have been targeted in the sweep. So, in the absence of any transparency, we answered truthfully &#8211; we have no idea. He noted that no matter what IP address he switched to, his site was almost immediately blocked. Even when Cloudflare IP addresses were deployed, those were banned too.</p>
<p>&#8220;I tried to switch Cloudflare accounts to get a new IP address but Cloudflare gives an error &#8216;this zone is banned&#8217; when trying to add it. So it looks like they have restricted my domains to one Cloudflare account,&#8221; he explained.</p>
<p>&#8220;I then moved to the CDN DDoS-Guard and that IP got banned instantly. For a last effort I installed a VPN on the server so I could switch IPs instantly from a pool of thousands. But they just block them within minutes.&#8221;</p>
<p>While this seems to fit some of the techniques used by the Premier League, the problems didn&#8217;t go away when the matches finished, which is a requirement of the High Court injunction.</p>
<p>On Monday, long after the games were over, users were still reporting that several unblocking sites (including unblocked.lol, unblocked.wtf, unblocked.ms, proxybunker.xyz, unblocker.cc, unblockall.org, unblocker.win, and unblocked.tw) were inaccessible, with ISPs TalkTalk and BT highlighted more than most.</p>
<p>At least one of the sites lsted above attempted to change to a new IP address on Monday yet within minutes, it became blocked again. Another proxy, unblocked.gdn, also reported seeing UK ISPs blocking the site on the same day. That site was previously ordered blocked by the court (albeit under a different domain name) but this time around the platform&#8217;s Cloudflare IP addresses were reportedly targeted too.</p>
<p>One of the sites speaking to TF indicated that when using a TalkTalk connection, every site using the same Cloudflare IP address as his site &#8211; more than 160 &#8211; was being blocked by the ISP Tuesday. TF looked over the domains and only a handful appeared to be connected to piracy, which sowed further confusion.</p>
<p>Then, later that morning, a <a href="https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2018/10/talktalk-isp-users-hit-by-dns-woes-on-wordpress-and-imgur-sites.html">report in ISPReview</a> indicated that TalkTalk might have been suffering from &#8220;DNS issues&#8221;.</p>
<p>&#8220;In the past [DNS] systems were fairly simple, although today ISPs are required to do all sorts of complicated filtering (blocking / censorship) of website content and sometimes things do go wrong,&#8221; the publication reported.</p>
<p>While a DNS &#8216;bug&#8217; might go some way to explaining at least some of the issues experienced by TalkTalk users, our multiple contacts remained skeptical that this could explain all the strange blocking events over the previous few days. Something didn&#8217;t add up.</p>
<p>The mainstream will probably lack sympathy with those trying and failing to access or run unblocking sites and those in a similar niche, but there can be little doubt the events of the past few days show that, more than ever, there needs to be transparency when ISPs begin meddling with customers&#8217; Internet connections.</p>
<p>Currently, there is almost zero transparency. Trying to get information on which sites have been added to court orders is almost impossible and the Premier League blocks, which are the most recent and aggressive, are shrouded in complete secrecy. Worst still, the ISPs &#8211; many of whom are happily cooperating with the football league &#8211; have a vested interest in keeping everyone in the dark.</p>
<p>That brings us to the issue of administrative blocks, that can supposedly order ISPs to render sites inaccessible without rightsholders ever having to go near a courtroom. What could possibly go wrong?</p>
<p>As mentioned earlier, it&#8217;s too late to put the site-blocking genie back in the bottle. However, what should be demanded is a transparent process. If sites are to be blocked, that will probably have to be accepted, but commercial interests shouldn&#8217;t be in a position to censor the Internet in the UK without being held to account when things go wrong.</p>
<p>One of our sources, who has been battling blocks since the weekend, sincerely believes that his recent issues are the result of an error, an over-blocking mistake that was only put right when users complained about &#8216;legitimate&#8217; sites like Imgur being blocked too.</p>
<p>Of course, we&#8217;ll probably never know for sure, but a more transparent system should be a must if the government is to seriously consider allowing rightsholders and ISPs (and companies that are now both &#8211; Sky, Virgin, and BT, for example) to get together to censor the Internet.</p>
<p>After all, if blocking is as effective as entertainment companies claim, publishing what they&#8217;re doing shouldn&#8217;t be any problem whatsoever.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163305
title: Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week on BitTorrent – 10/29/18
uri: Top-10-Most-Pirated-Movies-of-The-Week-on-BitTorrent-10-29-18
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/1AWkLNdhtSI/
content:
<p><img src="media/5464955c.incredibles2.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/incredibles2.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163309">This week we have four newcomers in our chart.</p>
<p>Incredibles 2 is the most downloaded movie.</p>
<p>The data for our weekly download chart is estimated by TorrentFreak, and is for informational and educational reference only. All the movies in the list are Web-DL/Webrip/HDRip/BDrip/DVDrip unless stated otherwise.</p>
<p><a href="http://TorrentFreak.com/category/dvdrip/feed/"><strong>RSS feed</strong></a> for the articles of the recent weekly movie download charts.</p>
<h5>This week&#8217;s most downloaded movies are:</h5>
<table class="css hover">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="12%"><strong>Movie Rank</strong></th>
<th width="15%"><strong>Rank <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-pirated-movies-week-bittorrent-10-22-18/">last week</a></strong></th>
<th><strong>Movie name</strong></th>
<th width="18%"><strong>IMDb Rating / Trailer</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tfoot>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">Most downloaded movies via torrents</td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3606756/">Incredibles 2</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3606756/">8.0</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5qOzqD9Rms">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>(1)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6663582/">The Spy Who Dumped Me</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6663582/">6.2</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjaHhduqS5o">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4244998/">Alpha</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4244998/">6.9</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIxnTi4GmCo">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4575576/">Christopher Robin</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4575576/">7.6</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0URpDxIjZrQ">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>(3)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095030/">Ant-Man and the Wasp</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095030/">7.3</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUkn-enk2RU&#038;t=19s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>(6)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5690360/">Slender Man</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5690360/">3.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySy8mcceTno">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>(4)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6133466/">The First Purge</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6133466/">5.2</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL29y0ah92w">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>(2)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6911608/">Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6911608/">7.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd4cLL_MP7M">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>9</strong></td>
<td>(7)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/">Solo: A Star Wars Story</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/">7.1</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>10</strong></td>
<td>(&#8230;)</td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7349662/">BlacKkKlansman</a> </td>
<td><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7349662/">7.7</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQNZhs0QKq0">trailer</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163268
title: Pornhub Deploys Mirror Site to Bypass Indian Porn Ban, While VPN Searches Spike
uri: Pornhub-Deploys-Mirror-Site-to-Bypass-Indian-Porn-Ban-While-VPN-Searc
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/8z_rOA2xanw/
content:
<p><img src="media/5fc29eec.Pornhub_Cares1.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/Pornhub_Cares1.png" alt="" width="280" height="101" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163274">During the summer of 2015, the Internet witnessed one of the broadest website blockades in history. </p>
<p>With a single order, the Indian Government blocked millions of people from <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/indias-porn-block-targets-torrent-sites-collegehumor-and-9gag-150803/">accessing 857 websites</a> that were flagged for spreading porn.</p>
<p>The authorities argued that the sites threaten the morality and decency of Indians. Many Indians disagreed and there was some serious pushback when it turned out that sites such as CollegeHumor and 9Gag were blocked as well. </p>
<p>Following a public revolt, the Government lifted the ban after just a few days. However, that wasn&#8217;t the end of the saga. Last month, the Uttarakhand High Court reinstated the blockade.  </p>
<p>To avoid the same mistakes as three years ago, the Ministry of Electronics and IT reviewed the list and <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-asks-for-827-porn-sites-to-be-blocked-1937086">scrapped 30 domains</a> which weren&#8217;t porn sites. It then asked the Department of Telecom to call for a blockade of remaining 827 domains, which went into effect at several ISPs during the past few days.</p>
<p>The good news is that CollegeHumor and 9Gag have been spared this time, but that doesn&#8217;t mean that there is no outrage. Many Indians don&#8217;t want the Government to decide what they can and can&#8217;t watch, and porn mogul Pornhub isn&#8217;t happy either. </p>
<p>“There are no laws against pornography in India and watching adult content privately. It’s evident that the Indian government does not have a solution to a very serious and systemic problem in the country, and is using adult sites like ours as a scapegoat,” says Corey Price, Pornhub&#8217;s Vice President.</p>
<p>According to Pornhub, the people of India are among &#8220;largest connoisseurs of adult content,&#8221; which is also quite apparent from the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.pornhub.com/insights/2017-year-in-review">2017 insights</a>, where India is listed as the third country in terms of traffic.</p>
<p>The company says that it&#8217;s willing to work with the Indian Government to find a solution, stressing that it already has compliant parental controls and a strict terms of service.</p>
<p>“While we are anti-government censorship here at Pornhub, and ultimately disappointed in the ruling, we are willing to work alongside the government to address any concerns they have and help rectify the situation,” Price says. </p>
<p>For now, however, they are taking a page from the many pirate sites that have been blocked, launching the mirror site Pornhub.net, so Indians can still get their fix.</p>
<p>“In the meantime, to provide our Indian users with Pornhub content again as quickly as possible, we have set up a mirror site. We understand this has been a hard time for our fans and hope this will provide them with an outlet to help alleviate some of their stress.”</p>
<p>Aside from the mirror, there are of course plenty of other alternatives to bypass the block. Many Indians report that changing their DNS to Google or Cloudflare&#8217;s free services does the trick. </p>
<p>Alternatively, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">a VPN</a> is also an option, including PornHub&#8217;s own <a href="https://www.vpnhub.com/">VPNHub</a>. </p>
<p>This VPN option appears to be on the mind of many Indians already. Looking at the Google trends graph showing the relative popularity of <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%201-m&#038;geo=IN&#038;q=vpn">&#8220;VPN&#8221; searches</a>, we see a clear surge around the time the porn blocks were starting to get implemented. </p>
<p>Where there&#8217;s a will, there&#8217;s a way&#8230;</p>
<p><center><strong>Going up&#8230;</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/d6ddd3fa.vpnsearchspike.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/vpnsearchspike.png" alt="" width="568" height="405" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163287"></center></p>
<p>The full list of the 827 blocked websites has not been made public, but according to several sources it is similar to this <a href="media/63aa3a99.2015-07-31-dot-block-order-decency.pdf" data-original-source="http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2190269/2015-07-31-dot-block-order-decency.pdf">order (pdf)</a> from 2015, minus the 30 sites that were removed due to overblocking.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163199
title: The New Mayor of Prague is a ‘Pirate’
uri: The-New-Mayor-of-Prague-is-a-Pirate
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/ewd28kU7hWg/
content:
<p><img src="media/c4e39cac.praguepirates.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/praguepirates.jpg" alt="" width="211" height="262" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163232">The <a href="https://www.pirati.cz/">Czech Pirates</a> have made quite a name for themselves in recent years.</p>
<p>The party previously took on a local anti-piracy outfit by launching their own movie download sites, making the point that linking is not a crime.</p>
<p>The bold move resulted in a <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-party-prosecuted-for-operating-a-pirate-site-160125/">criminal investigation</a>, but the case was eventually dropped after it was deemed that the Pirates acted in accordance with EU law.</p>
<p>The Czech Pirate Party has chalked up several successes in the political arena too. In last year&#8217;s parliamentary elections the Pirates won  <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-party-wins-big-in-czech-parliament-elections-171023/">10.79% of the total vote</a>, securing 22 seats in the national parliament. </p>
<p>That success was replicated earlier this month when the Pirates got <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_municipal_election,_2018">17.1% of the votes</a> in Prague&#8217;s municipal elections, making it the second largest party locally.</p>
<p>This week the Czech Pirates reached another significant milestone, as the party delivers the <a href="http://www.praguemonitor.com/2018/10/26/pirate-zdeněk-hřib-be-prague-mayor">new mayor</a> of the country&#8217;s capital, Prague. Pirate Party member Zdeněk Hřib will fill the prominent position and several of his colleagues will take places <a href="https://vaaju.com/czechrepubliceng/the-new-mayor-will-be-the-hibi-pirate-the-coalition-in-prague-agreed-on-a-tough-business/">in the city council</a>.</p>
<p>Hřib is a relative newcomer who graduated in General Medicine at Prague&#8217;s Charles University and first registered as a Pirate Party supporter five years ago. During the most recent municipal elections, however, he was listed as the party&#8217;s top candidate. </p>
<p>While Hřib is not the first Pirate mayor, Prague&#8217;s status makes it a unique achievement. With the total population exceeding well over a million people, Prague is among the twenty largest cities in the European Union. </p>
<p>The new mayor is not a widely known figure to the general population of Prague, but that will likely change during the months to come. Speaking with TorrentFreak, the new mayor says he joined the Pirates half a decade ago when he was trying to find a party that fitted his own ideals.</p>
<p>&#8220;Originally I was just helping with the healthcare part of the political program because healthcare is my primary specialty,&#8221; Hřib tells us.</p>
<p>&#8220;I wanted to have a political party in Czech Republic, that I could vote for. Pirate Party appeared on my list, and their healthcare program was a good basis, but without details. So I had helped with the details.&#8221; </p>
<p>He later became the main healthcare expert of the Pirate party and following the successful elections in Prague, he is now leading the city. During the years to come, he hopes to bring positive change in several areas, including IT.</p>
<p>&#8220;The IT of City Hall is now not very helpful in fulfilling the needs of public services. The information is not shared well inside the office, nor outside. Besides this, Prague has a huge problem with investments in transport infrastructure and there is an imminent housing crisis. These problems need to be solved,&#8221; Hřib says.</p>
<p>The new mayor has less political experience than some members of the old guard, but he has appeared on the Pirate Party&#8217;s ballot in Prague before. Hřib believes that the new coalition is well supported, and the fact that he&#8217;s the new mayor proves that he and the party know how to get something done.</p>
<p>&#8220;I believe that becoming a mayor in the Czech political system actually proves, that I have just enough political skills for this,&#8221; Hřib says.</p>
<p>&#8220;We had managed to create a coalition with a group of conservative People parties and an activist group led by a conservative member of Czech parliament. The coalition is well perceived by the citizens, although the opinions on who should be a mayor could vary.&#8221;</p>
<p>For the Pirate Party, delivering the mayor of the largest city in the country solidifies the election win in Prague&#8217;s municipal elections earlier this month. However, it&#8217;s also just the start. </p>
<p>Like other Pirate parties, the Czech branch is by no means a single issue outfit. The party previously campaigned on a broad range of issues including the fighting of corruption, tax reform, and overhauling the country’s copyright legislation.</p>
<p>Whatever the future brings, the success of the various Pirate parties is certainly remarkable. Especially when keeping in mind that the movement might have never become what it is today, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-party-leader-rick-falkvinge-resigns-on-5th-anniversary-110101/">without the raid</a> on The Pirate Bay’s server in 2006.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163295
title: SKY Celebrates Court Victory Against Piracy-Configured Kodi Box Seller
uri: SKY-Celebrates-Court-Victory-Against-Piracy-Configured-Kodi-Box-Seller
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/utwYze-8c68/
content:
<p><a href="media/f8623ca2.law-hammer.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/law-hammer.jpg"><img src="media/f6eb27a1.law-hammer.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/law-hammer.jpg" alt="" width="270" height="203" class="alignright size-full wp-image-134548" srcset="https://torrentfreak.com/images/law-hammer.jpg 270w, https://torrentfreak.com/images/law-hammer-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px"></a>In 2016, an article appeared in New Zealand media featuring a declaration from company boss Krish Reddy that his &#8216;My Box&#8217; Kodi-powered Android devices were shaking up the content market.</p>
<p>His US$182 product enabled customers to access movies, TV shows and live channels for free, something that Reddy said was completely legal.</p>
<p>“Why pay NZ$80 minimum per month for Sky when for one payment you can have it free for good?” the company&#8217;s promotional material read.</p>
<p>Given this blatant taunt, SKY TV was prompted to respond. During 2017, the company took legal action against My Box and Reddy, claiming that his devices broke local law. The company sought a ruling from the Court under the Fair Trading Act that Reddy was making &#8220;misleading and deceptive&#8221; claims about his devices.</p>
<p>Early 2018, the Auckland High Court heard the case against My Box with Judge Warwick Smith reserving his judgment and Reddy still maintaining that his business was completely legal. The businessman claimed that sales were booming, with 20,000 devices sold to customers in 12 countries.</p>
<p>Now, however, Reddy&#8217;s claims have fallen apart. A ruling from the Auckland High Court states that his My Box devices cannot be represented as legal and that his device and others like it that receive unlicensed content are illegal.</p>
<p>“This decision, along with the recent <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-kodi-boxes-breach-copyright-but-seller-threatens-to-wipe-floor-with-sky-180711/">ruling against Fibre TV boxes</a> in Christchurch, sends a very clear message to New Zealanders that these services are not all they are cracked up to be,” says SKY General Counsel, Sophie Moloney.</p>
<p>“Essentially these boxes have been marketed and sold as legal options for accessing sports and entertainment for a one-off fee, when all they do is find and broadcast pirate streams.&#8221;</p>
<p>SKY says they were concerned that New Zealanders were being duped into buying the devices on the basis they were legally able to receive SKY content. Online forums were littered with complaints about the My Box devices, the broadcaster added. </p>
<p>“We took action against My Box and Mr Reddy under the Fair Trading Act, as we knew they were making claims to New Zealanders that were misleading and incorrect,&#8221; Moloney adds</p>
<p>According to SKY, around 5% of New Zealanders use piracy-configured devices like the My Box to stream pirated content for free. SKY says the decision of the High Court clears up any ambiguity and clarifies that receiving content in this manner is illegal.</p>
<p>“Fair-minded New Zealanders can now know the truth about these types of services and instead look to all of the legal services available online in New Zealand from the free apps of TVNZ On Demand and ThreeNow through to the subscription services of Netflix, NEON, LightBox and FAN PASS,&#8221; SKY notes.</p>
<p>While the ruling is welcome, this isn&#8217;t the end of the road for the case. A full trial is expected to take place early next year to determine damages but that process may not be entirely straightforward.</p>
<p>SKY says it doesn&#8217;t know precisely how many My Box devices Reddy sold, so it previously had to rely on public statements made by the businessman in the run-up to the case. The discovery process should yield more information that will allow SKY to formulate a more accurate claim, however.</p>
<p>While the case was brought under the Fair Trading Act, the High Court also determined that My Box and Reddy &#8220;communicated&#8221; copyrighted works to the public in breach of the Copyright Act, meaning that SKY is entitled to an injunction to restrain the defendants from making any further claims that My Box devices are legal.</p>
<p>That being said, SKY&#8217;s application for an injunction to prevent the promotion and supply of My Box devices failed, after the Court decided that such an application should have been sought under the Copyright Act. SKY said that its action under the Fair Trading Act was considered to be a quicker route to achieving its aims.</p>
<p>&#8220;In order to take action under the current Copyright Act, we (and other affected copyright holders) would first have to ‘establish copyright’ in each individual piece of content infringed by My Box.  Doing so would have added layers of complication, cost and delay,&#8221; the company said in a statement.</p>
<p>&#8220;The Associate Judge upheld SKY&#8217;s approach by finding that the sale of My Box units, and using them to view copyright content, amounted to a breach of the Copyright Act, regardless of who owned the copyright.  Accordingly, he made orders that include a final injunction preventing My Box and Mr Reddy from continuing to market the units as legal.  This fulfilled SKY&#8217;s primary objective in bringing the legal action.&#8221;</p>
<p>In order to streamline similar cases in the future, SKY says local legislation should be amended to reflect the protections available under the UK&#8217;s Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.</p>
<p>&#8220;A provision like this in New Zealand law would be helpful in cases (like My Box) where the infringing conduct affects a wide group of rights-holders and consumers. The Government is undertaking a review of the Copyright Act and we encourage them to include this matter in the scope of the review,&#8221; SKY concludes. </p>
<p>During April 2018, Reddy claimed he&#8217;d <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/under-fire-kodi-box-company-sold-to-chinese-investor-for-us8-82m-180426/">sold his company</a> to a mystery Chinese buyer for an eye-watering US$8.8m. As a result, he said he&#8217;d close down his company and make his staff redundant.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163335
title: Google Pushes ‘Pirate’ IPTV Ads on Site That’s Scared to Promote Piracy
uri: Google-Pushes-Pirate-IPTV-Ads-on-Site-That-s-Scared-to-Promote
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/K4Hop6nr8cg/
content:
<p><a href="media/fe9f1200.unnamed-e1540889880462.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/unnamed-e1540889880462.jpg"><img src="media/fe9f1200.unnamed-e1540889880462.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/unnamed-e1540889880462.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="210" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163336"></a>Over the past several years, dozens of YouTube channels have sprung up to cover developments in the rocketing Kodi-related space.</p>
<p>These channels, which can vary in quality tremendously, provide an easy-to-digest fix of information, some of it accurate, some of it not so. Many, however, are littered with advertising and promotional content for illegal IPTV services, &#8216;pirate&#8217; Android APKs, and third-party Kodi add-ons that provide access to otherwise premium content.</p>
<p>At the same time as these channels promote questionable tools and services, developers of these tools are being targeted by anti-piracy companies. They regularly receive <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/illuminati-kodi-repository-throws-in-the-towel-after-ace-threats-180926/">cease-and-desist notices</a> from organizations such as the MPAA-led Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, while some device sellers (<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/ace-scores-legal-victory-and-wins-25m-piracy-damages-from-tickbox-180911/">Tickbox TV</a>, for example) have found themselves on the end of actual lawsuits.</p>
<p>As a result, some YouTube channel operators are feeling the pressure too. Worried about demonetization following direct and indirect pressure from anti-piracy groups and YouTube itself, many are self-censoring and diversifying so as not to promote piracy.</p>
<p>One of these channels is run by &#8216;<a href="https://www.docsquiffy.com">Doc Squiffy</a>&#8216;, a UK-based <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFOStcorp34JSwYTaTZB1oQ/featured">YouTube channel</a> and associated website operator who has finally been granted a YouTube <a href="https://youtu.be/f9qKA2c4jxA">silver &#8216;play&#8217; button award</a> for gaining 100,000 subscribers. However, for some of the reasons detailed above, YouTube has delayed his award for months, to the point he now has more than 238,000 subscribers.</p>
<p>While Doc Squiffy says he&#8217;s grateful he&#8217;s now been approved, this week a rather ironic situation raised its head on his own website at <a href="https://www.docsquiffy.com">DocSquiffy.com</a>.</p>
<p>In order to generate revenue on the original content he posts (plus third-party content such as linked TorrentFreak articles), Squiffy runs AdSense ads provided by Google. However, while Google-owned YouTube took an age to verify his suitability for a silver button (Squiffy says his content type contributed to the delay), Google itself is now stepping over the mark.</p>
<p>In a Tweet to his followers, the YouTuber revealed this morning that Google has been embedding ads for illegal services in his site, something he&#8217;s fearful of doing himself due to pressure from the MPAA and UK-based anti-piracy outfit FACT.</p>
<p><center></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My website and YouTube never advertises or pushed IPTV, with the pressure from Fact &amp; MPAA this is something I will not do. But apparently it&#39;s ok for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/google?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#google</a> to advertsise it on my site 🤦 <a href="https://t.co/yTyhOfewLE">pic.twitter.com/yTyhOfewLE</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Doc Squiffy 📲 📺 (@DocSquiffy) <a href="https://twitter.com/DocSquiffy/status/1057167459571118080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center></p>
<p>As the image above shows, the advertising shows the StreamKings IPTV service (offered via apparent reseller Smarteriptv.club), which offers thousands of channels of unlicensed content, including premium sports channels, as the image above shows.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s worth pointing out that Google wouldn&#8217;t have knowingly accepted an advert from a pirate service and it wouldn&#8217;t have placed it on Doc Squiffy&#8217;s site in any human-powered calculated action. However, with the YouTuber under real pressure to water down his content on YouTube in order to avoid his videos being demonetized or even denied a place on the site, this situation is pretty ironic, to say the least.</p>
<p>Indeed, Squiffy has had to fight for his play button after being initially denied more than six months ago.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve had trouble from demonetization, trouble with [YouTube] not approving videos, upload issues, takedown issues, and lots of people are having issues over these types of things. Me especially, i&#8217;ve been hit a lot,&#8221; Squiffy says.</p>
<p>Finally, however, YouTube found it in their hearts to approve Doc Squiffy for a Creator Award.</p>
<p>&#8220;Thanks for waiting! I&#8217;ve got an update from our Rewards team and good news! Your channels has indeed qualified to receive a Creator Award. Congratulations on reaching such an incredible milestone!&#8221; the site told him via email earlier this month.</p>
<p>Speaking with TorrentFreak, Doc Squiffy says he had a &#8220;big issue with the MPAA about six months ago&#8221; but says his only pressures today come from YouTube itself.</p>
<p>While YouTube videos promoting piracy still exist on the platform, YouTubers are now more careful than they once were, particularly since many completely rely on the site for their income. This noose is <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/youtube-wont-put-up-with-blatant-piracy-tutorials-forever-180506/">likely to tighten</a> in the months and years to come, which will probably drive more controversial content back underground &#8211; along with the ads for pirate services&#8230;.probably.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163410
title: Canada Introduces Bill to Ban Piracy Settlement Notices
uri: Canada-Introduces-Bill-to-Ban-Piracy-Settlement-Notices
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/k3l8E3Wp-SE/
content:
<p><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-78717" src="media/f2bfe741.pirate-running.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/pirate-running.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="204">Following an update of Canada’s copyright law in 2015, ISPs are required to forward copyright infringement notices to their customers.</p>
<p>As a result of this &#8220;<a href="http://torrentfreak.com/canadian-isps-vpns-now-alert-pirating-customers-150102/">notice and notice scheme</a>,&#8221; millions of Internet subscribers have received warnings in their mailboxes, with some asking for cash settlements.</p>
<p>The so-called notice-and-notice system is aimed at reducing local piracy rates. While that may have been well-intentioned, some copyright holders took advantage of the system to send subscribers settlement offers, or threaten them with legal penalties.</p>
<p>This scheme is facilitated by companies <a href="http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/03/11/617325/10072084/en/Rightscorp-Retains-Canadian-Law-Firm-to-Expand-Services-Internationally.html">such as Rightscorp</a>, which are also active in the United States. In Canada, however, there was some <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/experts-urge-canada-to-stop-threatening-piracy-notices-150426/">serious backlash</a>.</p>
<p>Just last week we reported how several large Internet providers, including Bell and Rogers, want the <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/canadian-isps-want-ban-on-piracy-settlement-notices-181022/">settlement language removed</a>. The Government clearly agrees with this, as a new Bill, published yesterday, will make that possible.</p>
<p>The applicable language is part of the budget implementation <a href="http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/10133547">Bill C-86</a> and reads as follows.</p>
<p style="font-size: 11pt; padding-left: 30px;"><em>A notice of claimed infringement shall not contain<br>
(a) an offer to settle the claimed infringement;<br>
(b) a request or demand, made in relation to the claimed infringement, for payment or for personal information;<br>
(c) a reference, including by way of hyperlink, to such an offer, request or demand; and<br>
(d) any other information that may be prescribed by regulation.</em></p>
<p>This text will effectively ban all settlement attempts. That&#8217;s good news for members of the public who are no longer at risk. However, the Rightscorps of this world will be less pleased, as it destroys their business model in Canada.</p>
<p>Regular lawsuits, which require copyright holders to <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/movie-outfits-are-quietly-targeting-canadian-file-sharers-in-court-180904/">go through the courts to identify account holders</a>, are entirely separate and still remain an option of course.</p>
<p>Canadian law professor Michael Geist, <a href="http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2018/10/noticesystemfix/">who highlighted the new bill</a> earlier today, is happy with the proposal, even though it took longer than hoped.</p>
<p>&#8220;It has taken several years, but the government has at long last taken steps to stop the abuse by establishing requirements that effectively ban the inclusion of settlement demands within the notice-and-notice system,&#8221; Geist says.</p>
<p>The bill is still in the early stages and has yet to be voted on and implemented. Given the public responses we&#8217;ve seen so far, however, it seems unlikely that many lawmakers will argue against the settlement ban.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163435
title: You Can’t Mention Pirate Bay & Demonoid in Red Dead Redemption 2
uri: You-Can-t-Mention-Pirate-Bay-Demonoid-in-Red-Dead-Redemption-2
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/B2NH9eMqaMs/
content:
<p><a href="media/7dabb3f0.censored.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/censored.jpg"><img src="media/f05b8357.censored.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/censored.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="173" class="alignright size-full wp-image-35000"></a>One of the greatest developments in gaming over the past couple of decades has been the quality of multiplayer options. There&#8217;s nothing like teaming up, making friends, and tackling the enemy together.</p>
<p>Sadly, however, multiplayer gaming is blighted by people who like to use these wonderful platforms to insult and abuse other players. If done sparingly and in the right context, this can be somewhat amusing for everyone but all too often people overstep the line, forcing developers to do what they can to stop the rot.</p>
<p>With some massive multiplayer games already under their belts, developer Rockstar is no stranger to these scenarios. With the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 recently, Rockstar is doing its bit to censor abuse and make us all shake our heads in disbelief.</p>
<p>As revealed by a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/9sl8gp/list_of_banned_words_in_red_dead_2/">user on Reddit</a>, the company has implemented a banned words list, which attempts to deter people from using some of the worst sexual, racial, and religious insults, which is fair enough.</p>
<p>However, the developer has also seen fit to prevent players from talking about sites like The Pirate Bay, with the word &#8216;PirateBay&#8217; banned from the game. Since the galaxy&#8217;s most resilient torrent site is hardly a friend of the gaming industry, the decision is not that much of a surprise. However, the developer goes much further with a whole range of bizarre censoring decisions that start of weirdly and get worse.</p>
<p>Taking them in alphabetical order, first up we have the term &#8216;BTJunkie&#8217;, which refers to a once-prominent torrent indexing site. What&#8217;s so special about this platform is that it&#8217;s been shut for well over six years. In fact, the site <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/btjunkie-shuts-down-for-good-120206/">closed down for good in 2012</a> following the massive raid on Kim Dotcom. Safe to say, it&#8217;s not coming back.</p>
<p>Demonoid, on the other hand, has only been dead for a few weeks. The site, which has been up and down more times than a violinist&#8217;s elbow in recent years, disappeared into a mysterious cloud of smoke <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/demonoid-goes-down-while-owner-remains-missing-180924/">several weeks ago</a>. We still don&#8217;t know what happened there, if anyone is still wondering.</p>
<p>Another curious addition to Rockstar&#8217;s banned list is &#8216;Fenopy&#8217;, a torrent site that <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/torrent-site-fenopy-shuts-quietly-141218/">shut itself down in 2014</a>. Like many of the other sites on the Rockstar list, it was no stranger to censorship, having found its way onto ISP blocks around the world.</p>
<p>In October 2013, the legendary &#8216;isoHunt&#8217; torrent index was <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/isohunt-shuts-down-after-110-million-settlement-with-the-mpaa-131017/">closed down</a> following a $110m settlement with the MPAA. For some reason, Rockstar thinks that RDR2 players shouldn&#8217;t discuss the platform, so the term is banned. It&#8217;s the same situation with Meganova, a site that also disappeared several years ago.</p>
<p>Becoming even more generic, Rockstar has also seen fit to ban the word &#8216;torrent&#8217; and, for those who may not know the correct spelling, the word &#8216;torent&#8217; too. &#8216;ZShare&#8217; also makes an appearance, which is another head-scratcher for a site that was deleted from history <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/zshare-file-hosting-service-disappears-without-trace-120425/">way back in 2012</a>.</p>
<p>The initialism &#8216;VCDQ&#8217; has also made it onto Rockstar&#8217;s Great Firewall, which is nothing short of ridiculous. VCDQ &#8211; otherwise known as VCDQuality &#8211; was a site that reported on freshly-leaked pirate copies of movies and commented on the quality of the release. The site never offered copyrighted content and was a really useful platform. It too has been dead for a number of years.</p>
<p>Finally, the term &#8216;buttpirate&#8217; is disqualified from RDR2 gaming utterances. Whether Rockstar simply got carried away with the pirate-themed bannings isn&#8217;t clear but from what we&#8217;ve seen so far, anything is possible.</p>
<p>The full list of banned words, ranging from distasteful to ridiculous, is available <a href="media/c7e39d87.9ov1akm4j9v11.png" data-original-source="https://i.redd.it/9ov1akm4j9v11.png">here</a>.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163487
title: Steal This Show S04E08: ‘Click Here To Kill Everybody’
uri: Steal-This-Show-S04E08-Click-Here-To-Kill-Everybody
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/z3yycHcRqPA/
content:
<p><img src="media/d01749d9.stslogo180.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/stslogo180.png" alt="" width="180" height="180" class="alignright size-full wp-image-113928">Embedded in an increasing number of the devices and objects surrounding us today, computers are turning the everyday world into a radically programmable attack surface.  </p>
<p>This is the subject of computer security &#038; cryptography legend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Schneier">Bruce Schneier</a>‘s latest book, <a href="https://www.schneier.com/books/click_here/">Click Here To Kill Everybody</a>.  </p>
<p>In this episode we meet up with Bruce to explore how the profusion of insecure devices, capable of being put to a variety of unpredictable purposes, is radically shifting the balance of power. Via cyberattacks, smaller states get the ability to content with the great powers — and an entirely new class of ‘non-state actors’ are being granted the power to disrupt nations.</p>
<p>&#8212;</p>
<p><a href="https://stealthisshow.com">Steal This Show</a> aims to release bi-weekly episodes featuring insiders discussing crypto, privacy, copyright and file-sharing developments. It complements our regular reporting by adding more room for opinion, commentary, and analysis. </p>
<p><strong>Host:</strong> Jamie King</p>
<p><strong>Guest:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Schneier">Bruce Schneier</a></p>
<p><center><iframe width="100%" height="180px" src="//stealthisshow.com/?lpe-frame=1&#038;lpe-season=4&#038;lpe-episode=08" frameborder="0"></iframe></center></p>
<p><strong><sup><em>If you enjoy this episode, consider becoming a patron and getting involved with the show. <a href="https://patreon.com/user?u=4275705">Check out Steal This Show&#8217;s Patreon campaign</a>: support us and get all kinds of&nbsp;fantastic benefits!</em></sup></strong></p>
<p><strong>Produced </strong> <em>by </em>Jamie King<br>
<strong>Edited &#038; Mixed</strong> <em>by</em> Lucas Marston<br>
<strong>Original Music</strong> <em>by</em> David Triana<br>
<strong>Web Production</strong> <em>by</em> Eric Barch</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163170
title: Hollywood Urges FTC to Help Combat Online Piracy
uri: Hollywood-Urges-FTC-to-Help-Combat-Online-Piracy
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/QvRZy_PFYd8/
content:
<p><img src="media/9093ee1b.ftc.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/ftc.png" alt="" width="277" height="109" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163175">Last week <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/">the FTC</a> hosted several discussions on its role when it comes to innovation and intellectual property policy.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events-calendar/2018/10/ftc-hearing-4-competition-consumer-protection-21st-century">commission asked</a> a broad group of stakeholders how the FTC can use its enforcement and policy authority to advance innovation.</p>
<p>This is a question Hollywood, and its lobby group MPAA in particular, are not leaving unanswered. In a detailed response, Neil Fried of the MPAA laid out several possible actions the Government body can take to help the industry. </p>
<p>Ideally, the FTC should move beyond its consumer advisor role and take concrete action to target several piracy threats, either directly, or by encouraging other bodies to step in.</p>
<p>&#8220;Given the harms of piracy to competition and consumer welfare, we ask the FTC to take affirmative steps to combat piracy,&#8221; Fried writes. </p>
<p>&#8220;Taking more affirmative steps would help prevent unlawful services from stifling investment in, and competition by, legitimate online content services; would help combat cybersecurity threats; and would help protect consumers from identity theft and fraud stemming from malware.&#8221;</p>
<p>One of the focus areas highlighted by the MPAA&#8217;s SVP for Federal Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs are streaming boxes. Specifically, he suggests that the FTC could go after companies that market pirate streaming boxes as legal alternatives.</p>
<p>This practice is deceptive and warrants the attention of the Government, he argues. In addition, the FTC could educate both the general public and lawmakers about the risks of piracy, including malware-related threats.</p>
<p>&#8220;For example, the FTC could consider an unfair and deceptive trade practices action against entities marketing streaming piracy devices and applications as &#8216;100 percent legal&#8217; and a way to &#8216;never pay for content again,&#8217; or for harm to consumers stemming from malware. </p>
<p>&#8220;In addition, an expanded effort to educate consumers and policymakers about the harms of piracy, the threat to the competitive market for American digital products and services, and the risks to cybersecurity could also pay dividends,&#8221; Fried adds.</p>
<p>Another option for the FTC is to reach out other U.S. agencies, to see if it&#8217;s possible to bring criminal actions against blatant copyright infringers, and to encourage U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to block the import of pirate streaming devices.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s clear that the MPAA isn&#8217;t short on suggestions for the FTC to get involved. </p>
<p>As a final point of action, the MPAA mentions the recent controversy surrounding Europe&#8217;s new privacy regulation, the GDPR. As a result, many domain registrars and registries are <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/whois-limits-under-gdpr-will-make-pirates-harder-to-catch-groups-fear-180413/">shielding information</a> about registrants from the public, which complicates enforcement efforts. </p>
<p>Fried urges the FTC to convince European lawmakers that this goes a step too far. The GDPR should not affect the availability of WHOIS data, and they hope to receive the commission&#8217;s support in calls to preserve the old &#8220;transparency&#8221; model. </p>
<p>Of course, the MPAA is not the only party to submit comments to the FTC. Other organizations are less enthusiastic about increased enforcement, and could even argue that some measures will impact freedom of speech. </p>
<p>Anticipating this, the MPAA notes that these kinds of fears are overblown, adding that enforcement in these areas will benefit free expression. </p>
<p>“In fact, curbing illegal activity promotes free expression by creating a safer, virtual environment where individuals feel comfortable to communicate and engage in commerce, as well as to create and lawfully access content,” Fried notes.</p>
<p><em>&#8212;</p>
<p>A written copy of the comments from MPAA&#8217;s SVP for Federal Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs is <a href="media/450036c5.FTC-Hearing-4-on-Innovation-and-Intellectual-Property-Policy.pdf" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/181022-MPAA-submission-for-FTC-Hearing-4-on-Innovation-and-Intellectual-Property-Policy.pdf">available here (pdf)</a>.</em></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163448
title: The Pirate Bay Remains Mysteriously Inaccessible to Many
uri: The-Pirate-Bay-Remains-Mysteriously-Inaccessible-to-Many
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/mjvDiA8n7oU/
content:
<p><img src="media/932e6d7d.thepirate-e1470829181981.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/thepirate-e1470829181981.jpg" alt="" width="220" height="206" class="alignright size-full wp-image-116122">The Pirate Bay has suffered quite a bit of downtime over the past several years, but in recent weeks a more alarming pattern has begun to emerge. </p>
<p>While many people can assess the site <a href="https://pirates-forum.org/status">just fine</a>, at the time of writing there are also millions of visitors <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-bay-and-demonoid-face-technical-troubles-180914/">who see a Cloudflare error</a> instead of the iconic pirate ship logo. </p>
<p>Luckily for them, there is no shortage of workarounds. Accessing TPB through proxies, its Tor domain, or the site VPN server still works. But, if a problem like this has lasted for weeks, there&#8217;s clearly something wrong. </p>
<p>According to various traffic tracking websites, direct visits to The Pirate Bay are <a href="https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/thepiratebay.org#trafficstats">down significantly</a>, with Similarweb estimating a drop of more than <a href="https://www.similarweb.com/website/thepiratebay.org">32 percent</a> last month alone.</p>
<p>The Pirate Bay is aware of the issues but it doesn&#8217;t have a definite answer either. </p>
<p>This means that, like many others, we can only speculate. From our experience with various outages, there are a few options that can be easily ruled out. </p>
<p>For one, this is not the result of a consumer ISP blocking access. The problems are worldwide, occurring in the US, Europe, Latin America and elsewhere. There is no clear location-based pattern. </p>
<p>The site&#8217;s domain name is working just fine too and the same is true for its DNS. The correct address is being resolved, even from locations where the site is inaccessible. </p>
<p>Many people have been pointing out Cloudflare as the culprit, suggesting the company is willingly blocking TPB. This doesn&#8217;t seem likely either. Why would Cloudflare block a site in a few places scattered around the world, and make it appear as if they can&#8217;t connect to it?</p>
<p>Since The Pirate Bay itself has no idea what&#8217;s happening, the problem doesn&#8217;t seem to be on their end either. So what&#8217;s going on then?</p>
<p>One option that&#8217;s left is that an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_backbone">Internet backbone</a> network is somehow causing trouble. These are the providers which make sure that traffic is routed from your ISP connection, through their infrastructure, to The Pirate Bay. </p>
<p>If one of these networks is not passing on traffic to The Pirate Bay, Cloudflare can&#8217;t connect to it, at least not everywhere. This could also explain why the site is unreachable in some locations while working just fine in others.</p>
<p>Something similar happened last year when backbone provider <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/internet-backbone-provider-cogent-blocks-pirate-bay-and-other-pirate-sites-170209/">Cogent blocked</a> The Pirate Bay and other pirate sites. In that case, Cogent actually blocked Cloudflare&#8217;s IP-addresses.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s a possible explanation but, in this case, we haven&#8217;t been able to trace the issues to a specific backbone network. This means that, for now, the mystery remains. </p>
<p><center><strong>A common <a href="https://pirates-forum.org/Thread-ThePirateBay-The-Pirate-Bay-Site-Status-Thread-not-for-personal-account-issues?pid=248401#pid248401">problem</a></strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/26a2434b.commonproblem.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/commonproblem.png" alt="" width="565" height="326" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163456"></center></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163525
title: Landmark Anti-Piracy Database Agreement Signed in Moscow
uri: Landmark-Anti-Piracy-Database-Agreement-Signed-in-Moscow
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/S6bapdJor_U/
content:
<p><a href="media/560a9ef5.searchman.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/searchman.jpg"><img src="media/e92721d2.searchman.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/searchman.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="156" class="alignright size-full wp-image-135409"></a>Back in August, Russian search giant Yandex found itself in a tight spot after <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/yandex-refuses-to-remove-pirate-content-blocking-imminent-despite-appeal-180830/">refusing</a> to remove &#8216;pirate&#8217; links from its indexes.</p>
<p>The situation was serious, with Yandex facing blocking by all of the country&#8217;s Internet service providers. Yandex eventually complied with the demands and avoided a catastrophe but it seemed clear that moving forward, something would have to be done.</p>
<p>Local telecoms watchdog and defacto mediator Roscomnadzor said the solution could be found in a voluntary agreement between the country&#8217;s largest tech platforms and rightsholders. To that end, a <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/google-yandex-discuss-creation-of-anti-piracy-database-180924/">meeting took place</a> September 19 between the parties at Roscomnadzor headquarters.</p>
<p>While discussions had been underway for months, things appear to move pretty quickly in Russia. Earlier this week, the deputy of Roscomnadzor announced that a memorandum of cooperation between search engines and copyright holders &#8220;to combat the proliferation of pirated content&#8221; would be signed today in Moscow.</p>
<p>A few minutes ago that event took place, with Channel One, the National Media Group, Gazprom-Media, the Internet Video Association, the Association of Film and Television Producers, Yandex, Rambler Group, Mail.Ru Group, vKontakte, and RuTube signing up. Google did not immediately sign, in part because it already follows the requirements of the DMCA.</p>
<p>Details made available so far indicate that within three weeks, a Roscomnadzor-maintained database will be created and populated with links to sites that the entertainment industry groups claim are infringing their intellectual property rights.</p>
<p>Then, every five minutes, the operators of search platforms will be required to query the database to obtain updates. Within six hours, infringing URLs will have to be removed from search results visible in Russia. In addition, signatories that host video content (Yandex.video and RuTube, for example) will have to remove pirated content from their platforms.</p>
<p>In the period before the database is established, Internet companies will remove pirate content within 24 hours following a request. The approach is similar to the requirements of the DMCA in the United States and is currently followed by both Google and Mail.ru.</p>
<p>If a dispute arises between the signatories, the aim is to reach a negotiated agreement with the assistance of Roscomnadzor. If problems aren&#8217;t solved within a month, the aggrieved parties can either fight things out in court or remove themselves from the memorandum.</p>
<p>The memorandum will be valid until September 1, 2019. By this time, the signatories expect that Russian anti-piracy legislation will have been amended to encompass the terms of the agreement.</p>
<p>After first making a successful application to Roscomnadzor, it&#8217;s hoped that other rightsholders and tech companies will sign the memorandum. Google is expected to enter into talks during the coming month, with a view to joining.</p>
<p>Alexander Zharov, head of Roskomnadzor, welcomed today&#8217;s agreement.</p>
<p>“As a result of quite a lot of work, we have arrived at a historic moment when both content producers and content distributors unite their efforts in the fight against piracy,” Zharov said.</p>
<p>“As a result of this work, the [Russian Internet] will become the cleanest space for piracy in the world.&#8221;</p>
<p>A couple of the signatories to the memorandum show that lines between rightsholders and Internet companies can be blurred. Movie portal Kinopoisk signed on the side of the rightsholders, yet is owned by Yandex. RuTube, which is a YouTube-like video platform, signed on the side of the tech companies. It is co-owned by Gazprom-Media.</p>
<p>While the agreement is a welcome achievement for rightsholders in the video field, some companies will be missing out. Book publishers reportedly took no part in the negotiations preceding today&#8217;s signing, so will not initially benefit from the agreement.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163313
title: Software Company ‘Fines’ Pirates After Monitoring Their Computers
uri: Software-Company-Fines-Pirates-After-Monitoring-Their-Computers
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/bhuHHT_gJ1M/
content:
<p><a href="media/5f0dfd25.spy.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/spy.jpg"><img src="media/3d881413.spy.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/spy.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="177" class="alignright size-full wp-image-39770"></a>Every year, millions of software packages are downloaded from the Internet. In many cases, people pay for the privilege but in others, users aim to skip expensive licensing fees.</p>
<p>Using software without an appropriate license ranges from flat-out simple to relatively complicated. In the case of unprotected software, users simply avoid paying for a license. When DRM techniques are deployed, so-called &#8216;cracks&#8217; (software tools that circumvent restrictions) are the weapon of choice, activating full packages or upgrading limited demos.</p>
<p>In many cases, &#8216;cracked&#8217; software works like the real deal. In this Internet-connected world, however, some software has the ability to &#8216;phone home&#8217; to its creators. For those who don&#8217;t take precautions (with firewall rules or an isolated offline machine) unexpected consequences could be lying in wait.</p>
<p>This is the case for unauthorized users of software offered by <a href="https://www.foundry.com/">Foundry</a>. The creative minds behind graphics tools including the popular NUKE, Foundry reportedly supplies software to companies including Disney, Sony, and Blizzard. It does not like its software being pirated and is going to fairly extreme lengths to enforce its rights.</p>
<p>While many companies monitor torrent swarms for unauthorized sharing, it appears that Foundry prefers a more straightforward approach, by analyzing data sent back from the computers of alleged pirates and then making an approach, which includes an offer to settle for hard cash.</p>
<p>Unlike many file-sharing cases where copyright trolls demand a few hundred dollars, pounds, or euros to make a case disappear, Foundry demands much larger sums of money. Documents and emails reviewed by TorrentFreak reveal demands reaching multiple tens of thousands.</p>
<p>On top, Foundry also attempts to levy large fees to cover its &#8220;investigation costs&#8221;, meaning that companies and in some cases regular individuals face punishing bills for what they believed to be a free and consequence-free download.</p>
<p>For those who care to read it, Foundry&#8217;s EULA appears to cover end-user data harvesting.</p>
<p>&#8220;The Software may include mechanisms to collect limited information from Licensee’s computer(s) and transmit it to Foundry, including the ability to locally cache such information on Licensee’s computer,&#8221; the EULA reads.</p>
<p>&#8220;Such information (the &#8216;Information&#8217;) may include details of Licensee’s hardware, details of the operating system(s) in use on such hardware, the location of the Licensee’s computer(s) and the profile and extent of Licensee’s use of the different elements of the Software and other Foundry software.&#8221;</p>
<p>Crucially, the EULA <a href="media/00c36152.EULA.pdf" data-original-source="https://s3.amazonaws.com/thefoundry/documents/EULA.pdf"><em>(pdf)</em></a> adds a clause which reads: &#8220;[Foundry may use the Information] to ensure that the usage of the Software by Licensee is in accordance with the Agreement and does not exceed any user number or other limits on its use.&#8221;</p>
<p><center><strong>EULA for Foundry products authorizes &#8216;snooping&#8217;</strong></center><center><a href="media/64a20292.the-foundry-eula-e1540811435301.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/the-foundry-eula-e1540811435301.png"><img src="media/64a20292.the-foundry-eula-e1540811435301.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/the-foundry-eula-e1540811435301.png" alt="" width="650" height="487" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-163315"></a> </center></p>
<p>While some people are ignoring Foundry&#8217;s emails, others who do respond appear to trigger a kind of &#8216;fishing&#8217; exercise. Foundry licensing compliance officers ask respondents to provide additional details such as IP and MAC addresses of their own machines, apparently to &#8220;eliminate people&#8221; from their inquiries.</p>
<p>Precisely why this information should be provided isn&#8217;t made clear but it at least seems possible that Foundry is making an assessment whether software could have been used by an outsider, perhaps utilizing an individual&#8217;s WiFi connection without their knowledge.</p>
<p>In at least some cases, Foundry appears able to connect the dots when a company or individual has a licensed product and then uses an unlicensed one too. Documents obtained by TorrentFreak shine light on the Foundry system, which appears to log instances of infringement, such as how many times a piece of &#8216;cracked&#8217; or otherwise unlicensed software has been used.</p>
<p>While companies should always take care to ensure their software is licensed, TF has also spoken with private individuals caught up in the sweep who do not have the means to pay the huge sums of money demanded by Foundry. The company seems to presume that all uses of its software are of a commercial nature, something which could aggravate the scale of the settlement demanded.</p>
<p>TorrentFreak asked Foundry to contribute to this article by explaining a little about why they choose to use this system of monitoring and settlements. At the time of publication, the company had not responded, other than to acknowledge receipt of our questions.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163640
title: Swedish ISP Protests ‘Site Blocking’ by Blocking Rightsholders Website Too
uri: Swedish-ISP-Protests-Site-Blocking-by-Blocking-Rightsholders-Web
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/hf11zzrnuQI/
content:
<p><img src="media/0439e552.bahnhof.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/bahnhof.png" alt="" width="222" height="150" class="alignright size-full wp-image-128056">As a staunch defender of an open Internet, ISP <a href="https://www.bahnhof.se/">Bahnhof</a> has repeatedly spoken out against pirate site blocking efforts. </p>
<p>The company has also argued the matter in court recently, after academic publisher Elsevier applied for an order to ban a series of domain names, including Sci-Hub. </p>
<p>Today, Bahnhof announced that it has been ordered to block the sites in question.</p>
<p>This is the worst possible outcome for Bahnhof. TorrentFreak spoke to CEO Jon Karlung who describes it as a &#8220;horrifying&#8221; decision that &#8220;goes against the soul of the Internet.&#8221;</p>
<p>The result, starting today, is that sci-hub.tw, sci-hub.mu, sci-hub.se, libgen.io, and several other domains are being <a href="http://kampa-for-ett-fritt-internet-utan-upphovsmaffians-blockering.se/">blocked by the ISP</a>. But Bahnhof wouldn&#8217;t be Bahnhof if it went down without a fight. </p>
<p>The company has no faith in an expensive appeal, which another ISP lost last year in a similar blocking case. However, it does have another ace up its sleeve. Now that they are blocking anyway, they can easily an extra domain name to make a point.</p>
<p>So, in addition, Bahnhof has gone ahead and banned its visitors from accessing the official Elsevier.com website as well. Elsevier wanted a site blockade &#8211; it now has one. </p>
<p>Visitors attempting to visit the domains now see a 90s style website explaining what&#8217;s going on, complete with an old <a href="http://this-copyright-syndicate-is-killing-internet-by-blocking-sites.se/SuzanneBeDell-MarciaBalisciano-YoungSukChi-JohnDanaher-HannfriedvonHindenburg-NikunjJinsi-BeverlyMalone-EmilieMarcus-RonMobed-GeraldineRichmond/">dial-up tone in the background</a>. </p>
<p>&#8220;Bahnhof opposes censorship in every way, shape and form, but it looks like we won’t be able to dodge Elsevier’s blocking requirement. That’s why we have placed this barrier in front of Elsevier’s website &#8211; to make sure that they themselves also get a taste of the blocking they’re currently evoking against others,&#8221; it reads.</p>
<p><center><strong>Elsevier.com banned</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/182a60fc.elseban.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/elseban.png" alt="" width="611" height="341" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163648"></center></p>
<p>The page goes on to explain what Elsevier is, making note of the <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/sci-hub-tears-down-academias-illegal-copyright-paywalls-150627/">controversy</a> surrounding the company&#8217;s role in academic publishing. This is one of the reasons why the blocked &#8220;pirate&#8221; sites have become so popular. </p>
<p>Bahnhof&#8217;s CEO informs TorrentFreak that the company sees no point in appealing the case. The Patent and Market Court, which handles these matters, is made up of people who are biased towards copyright holders, he believes.</p>
<p>To make another point, the Internet provider also decided to send the court a message. Starting today, users of the court&#8217;s network can no longer access Bahnhof&#8217;s website.</p>
<p>&#8220;The computer or network you are using belongs to the Patent and Market Court and is therefore blocked from the domain bahnhof.se. You at the Patent and Market Court have recently decided that operators should block certain domains so their customers can no longer visit them,&#8221; the message reads. </p>
<p><center><strong>Court banned</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/ef1db564.courtban1.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/courtban1.png" alt="" width="611" height="275" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163647"></center></p>
<p>While the ISP is clearly disappointed with the court&#8217;s decision, it will not stop its protests. It may not be able to undo the blocking order but the company will continue to make its voice heard.</p>
<p>&#8220;Bahnhof has repeatedly demonstrated how copyright law is being abused and exploited by greedy opportunists, and in the end it is always ordinary people who have to pay,&#8221; Bahnhof notes. </p>
<p>&#8220;This page you&#8217;ve got before you right now is the result, this is what awaits in a future where private interests can regulate community information. Is our legal system really being used in this way?</p>
<p>The ISP also hopes that its subscribers will help with its efforts. On the <a href="http://"http://kampa-for-ett-fritt-internet-utan-upphovsmaffians-blockering.se/">blocking page</a> it provides a form allowing them to send a letter to Justice Minister Morgan Johansson, to share their outrage.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163179
title: Google Faces Fines For Site-Blocking Regulation Non-Compliance
uri: Google-Faces-Fines-For-Site-Blocking-Regulation-Non-Compliance
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/Dj_IkcnZKGk/
content:
<p><a href="media/560a9ef5.searchman.jpg" data-original-source="http://feed.torrentfreak.com/images/searchman.jpg"><img src="media/e92721d2.searchman.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/searchman.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="156" class="alignright size-full wp-image-135409"></a>After several years of legislative amendments and technical deployments, Russia now has a fairly sophisticated site-blocking system. It targets blatantly-infringing pirate sites, unregistered VPNs, plus extremist and other material considered dangerous by the state.</p>
<p>While some sites are blocked temporarily, for not removing pirated content quickly enough, for example, others find themselves permanently blocked by local ISPs. Failing to remove pirate content after multiple complaints can trigger such a situation, with offending domains placed on a national blacklist of blatant infringers.</p>
<p>Legislation <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/russian-govt-approves-fines-for-search-engines-linking-to-banned-vpns-180608/">passed last year</a> expanded this regime. With the creation of a centralized database to which ISPs and search engines must connect, URLs of permanently blocked resources can be preemptively removed from search results. However, while other search companies are following the rules, it appears there is an issue with Google.</p>
<p>According to local telecoms watchdog Roscomnadzor, Google is in breach of federal law after the company failed to interface its systems with Russia&#8217;s &#8216;FGIS&#8217; national blacklist. Roscomnadzor previously wrote to Google to request its compliance, noting that within three days the company should begin filtering its search results.</p>
<p>However, for reasons that are not immediately apparent, Google failed to comply with the request, meaning that it could now be subject to an administrative fine of between 500,000 and 700,000 rubles (US$7,611 to US$10,656). </p>
<p>Roscomnadzor deputy head Vadim Subbotin says that his organization is writing to Google and the company must respond with an explanation. </p>
<p>&#8220;The decision was made on the basis of [a recent] inspection. We are now sending the act of verification to Google. They have certain deadlines to object to our verification activities and send us their objections. We will see what their response is,&#8221; Subbotin said.</p>
<p>The final decision on the scale of the fine will sit with the courts and Roscomnadzor says it will decide on its next course of action after considering Google&#8217;s response. To date, no tech company has ever been fined for non-compliance.</p>
<p>Even if the fine is at the top end it will be a drop in the ocean for the search giant. However, Russian authorities are taking their blocking efforts seriously so resistance could prove a considerable irritant.</p>
<p>Last month it was <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/putin-told-that-6000-pirate-sites-have-been-blocked-in-three-years-180929/">revealed</a> that following 17,000 complaints against pirate sites, 6,000 were eventually blocked by ISPs following orders form Roscomnadzor.</p>
<p>This week, Russia&#8217;s most powerful tech companies including Yandex, Mail.ru Group, and Rambler <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/landmark-anti-piracy-database-agreement-signed-in-moscow-181101/">signed a Memorandum of Cooperation</a> designed to rid their platforms of infringing content, without having to go near a courtroom.</p>
<p>In cooperation with major movie and TV companies, the agreement will see the formation of a central database of infringing sites within three weeks. This registry will be queried every five minutes by search engines and content platforms who will use the data to remove infringing content from search results and hosting services. Google has not yet signed but is being welcomed to do so.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163574
title: ISP Shows How to Unblock The Pirate Bay (and Other Sites)
uri: ISP-Shows-How-to-Unblock-The-Pirate-Bay-(and-Other-Sites)
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/nOjKhHAzIwI/
content:
<p><img src="media/2759597c.blocked-censor.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/blocked-censor.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="170" class="alignright size-full wp-image-124850">Most Internet providers do their best to keep the peace with copyright holders. Swedish ISP <a href="https://www.bahnhof.se/">Bahnhof</a> is not one of them. </p>
<p>The company has been a fierce opponent of copyright trolling, invasive data retention laws, and website blocking. At Bahnhof, user-privacy and unrestricted access to the Internet take priority.</p>
<p>Still, when the company published a detailed unblocking guide in a press release on Thursday, we were caught by surprise. </p>
<p>&#8220;There are Internet providers who have been ordered by the Patent and Market Court to block DNS, of The Pirate Bay site for example, and that means you can not access that page no matter how much you try,&#8221; Bahnhof <a href="https://www.bahnhof.se/press/press-releases/2018/11/01/bara-patent-och-marknadsdomstolen-verkar-tro-att-blockering-av-sidor-fungerar">begins</a>.</p>
<p>These blockades, such as the one <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/swedish-isp-telia-appeals-pirate-bay-blocking-order-181026/">ordered against Telia last month</a>, prevent people from going to The Pirate Bay, FMovies, or any other restricted sites. Ideally, that should stop them from pirating ever again, but Bahnhof has its doubts.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is how it&#8217;s supposed to work. Someone surfing to a blocked site thinks &#8216;damn, now I can&#8217;t access it, no more movie downloading for me&#8217;. But, of course, it does not work like that in real life. It&#8217;s easy to get around a blockade if you are using a VPN or change your DNS servers. Let&#8217;s explain.&#8221;</p>
<p>The ISP goes into detail about how people can set up a VPN to avoid censorship, offering a step-by-step guide. In addition, it points out that changing one&#8217;s DNS servers may already be sufficient to bypass simple site blockades. </p>
<p>Initially, we assumed that Bahnhof was only trying to be helpful, telling their competitors&#8217; customers how they can access blocked sites. However, this perspective changed yesterday.</p>
<p>As it turns out, Bahnhof has also <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/swedish-isp-protest-site-blocking-by-blocking-rightsholders-website-and-more-181102/">been ordered to block several &#8216;pirate&#8217; domains</a>. Following a lawsuit from academic publisher Elsevier, it now has to ban Sci-Hub and Libgen, among others. </p>
<p>As we reported previously, the company isn&#8217;t taking this lightly, to say the least.</p>
<p>While the company can&#8217;t evade the blocking order itself, it can point out how its subscribers can do so. And that&#8217;s exactly what their press release does. </p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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feed_id: http://torrentfreak.com/?p=163316
title: Using ‘Googled’ Images Can Result in License Demands and Legal Threats
uri: Using-Googled-Images-Can-Result-in-License-Demands-and-Legal-Thr
url: http://feed.torrentfreak.com/~r/Torrentfreak/~3/BjF95VY51CQ/
content:
<p><img src="media/36da20d2.googleimg.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/googleimg.png" alt="" width="278" height="183" class="alignright size-full wp-image-163554">Whether it&#8217;s for a school project, a funny meme, or a  blog, many people use search engines to find fitting images. </p>
<p>Some of these are free to use, but in most cases, permission from the creator is required to publish photos in public. </p>
<p>The same is true for images that float around on news sites or social networks. It&#8217;s easy to make a copy of a photo and use it elsewhere on the web but more often than not, people are not supposed to do so without permission. </p>
<p>This is a cause of frustration for many creators and some are now drawing the line. In the past, we have covered <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/pirating-mainstream-media-outlets-haunted-by-photographers-in-court-171028/">several lawsuits</a> filed by photographers against major news outlets that use their work without permission, but there&#8217;s another development worth noting &#8211; Pixsy.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pixsy.com/">Pixsy</a> offers a dedicated product that helps creators to find where their images are being copied without permission. Optionally, they can then request to send a takedown notice, or take it up a notch and demand compensation from the infringer, via email. </p>
<p>The artists see the images Pixsy finds and can &#8216;submit&#8217; the infringing one for further action. The site will then take care of the rest and only gets paid if the artist gets paid too.</p>
<p>&#8220;Once submitted our expert case managers handle everything. From preparation to evidence collection, negotiation, settlements, and payouts,&#8221; Pixsy notes.</p>
<p><center><strong>Fight image theft</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/90b851ba.pixsy.png" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/pixsy.png" alt="" width="600" height="427" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163560"></center></p>
<p>Pixsy officially launched its services in 2014 and has already processed over 55,000 cases worldwide. The company doesn&#8217;t specify how many licensing demands have been sent, but they appear to be quite common.</p>
<p>The Internet is littered with mentions of these emails with varying demands. In some instances they&#8217;re asking for $750, but we&#8217;ve also seen <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasts/comments/985lbf/psa_dont_panic_if_you_hear_from_pixsy/">$575</a> and various other figures floating around, also <a href="https://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/pixsy-demand-email/">in pounds</a>.</p>
<p>TorrentFreak spoke to a person who was recently targeted by a Pixsy license request. He prefers to remain anonymous, fearing more repercussions, but we&#8217;ll call him Frank. He was utterly surprised when the email came in. </p>
<p>&#8220;I had no idea you could get in trouble for taking a picture off Google search results,&#8221; Frank told us. </p>
<p>The trouble, in this case, refers to an email requesting hundreds of pounds in licensing fees. The email stresses that the creator of the image hasn&#8217;t given permission, and there&#8217;s an &#8220;evidence report&#8221; that summarizes the findings.</p>
<p>The licensing request doesn&#8217;t come without a proper stick, however, as Pixsy warns that legal action may follow if the demands are not met within a set deadline. </p>
<p><center><strong>What&#8217;s next?</strong><br></br></center><center><img src="media/9f893b2d.pixsy.jpg" data-original-source="http://torrentfreak.com/images/pixsy.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="241" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163572"></center></p>
<p>&#8220;In the event that resolution with a license fee is not possible, our next steps are to forward this matter to a legal partner in your local area to secure the highest fees recoverable for copyright infringement,&#8221; Pixsy writes. </p>
<p>&#8220;These fees include actual damages or statutory damages, and can include legal costs, expenses, costs affiliated with filing a lawsuit, and ensuing litigation.&#8221;</p>
<p>The image Frank used wasn&#8217;t an actual photograph but a mocked-up Photoshop image that appeared rather generic. When writing this article a reverse image search revealed that it appears on hundreds of sites. </p>
<p>Interestingly, none of the sites credit the author, nor could we find any way to officially license the image.</p>
<p>Despite the strong language, Frank tells us that he has no intention to pay. And he&#8217;s not the only one. The letters have been described as an &#8220;<a href="https://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/pixsy-demand-email/">extortion scam</a>&#8221; by some, and others note that the legal threat may <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasts/comments/985lbf/psa_dont_panic_if_you_hear_from_pixsy/">not be as imminent</a> as it seems. </p>
<p>That said, it&#8217;s no surprise if many of the recipients choose to pay the license fee (as <a href="http://connectedwomanmag.com/the-575-mistake-when-your-hobby-puts-you-in-the-red/">this woman did</a>), if only to get rid of the looming threat of things getting worse.</p>
<p>While not everyone agrees with the tactics, the scheme certainly is a wake-up call that people should not randomly use images they find online. Many creators who struggle dealing with copyright infringing also see it as a useful service.</p>
<p>TorrentFreak also spoke to Pixsy which informs us that they &#8220;fight image theft&#8221; with the help of 26 different legal partners across the world. They stress that their service doesn&#8217;t target all websites randomly. They pick <a href="https://www.pixsy.com/academy/makes-good-case-submission/">selected targets</a> which seem to be professional businesses, major publications, or government agencies. </p>
<p>In Frank&#8217;s case, the professional business was a blog that was set up a few months ago, offering a certain service. Not a typical company, but Pixsy presumably saw it as a legitimate target.</p>
<p>Our source had no experience with creating websites and maintains that he had no clue that the image he used required a license. To avoid confusion, he urges search engines to make this more clear going forward. Most mention that images &#8220;may&#8221; be copyrighted, but a starker warning could be appropriate. </p>
<p>While Frank doesn&#8217;t deny that creators of photos and other images should be able to protect their rights, he&#8217;s no fan of Pixsy&#8217;s model. </p>
<p>&#8220;I think their email threats come across as a scam or extortion. Only after googling Pixsy I could see that other people have run into them and their methods, and most call them copyright trolls. </p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve not replied to their emails as I&#8217;m hoping they&#8217;ll go away to catch bigger fish than little old me,&#8221; Frank adds.</p>
<p>Talking about bigger fish &#8211; Pixsy recently offered help to catch one. </p>
<p>The company reached out to photographer Sean Heavey who is currently <a href="https://eu.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/09/14/glasgow-photographer-sues-netflix-lawsuit-stranger-things-and-how-ends-used-photograph-montana/1302740002/">suing Netflix</a> for the infringing use of a photo. While Heavey didn&#8217;t use Pixsy to find the infringing use, the company referred him to a legal partner, and is helping him to track other infringers through their service.</p>
<p>“I now believe all photographers need to have a service such as Pixsy as part of their normal business plan,” Heavey told <a href="https://alphauniverse.com/stories/the-pro-files--enforce-your-copyrights-with-ease/">Alpha Universe</a>.</p>
<p>“We have taken action on not only the Netflix case but others as well — some of which I knew about and others I discovered while using the Pixsy platform,&#8221; he adds.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re pretty sure Netflix won&#8217;t be able to make that go away for $750&#8230;</p>
<p>Whether any infringements found through Pixsy have ever resulted in full-blown lawsuits is unknown. The company informs us that it can&#8217;t provide exact numbers on licensing requests and legal cases.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://torrentfreak.com/">TF</a>, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-popular-torrent-sites-of-2018-180107/">torrent sites</a> and more. We also have <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/">VPN reviews, </a><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-discount-coupon-offer-torguard-nordvpn-expressvpn-pia/">discounts, offers and coupons</a>.</p>
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