Download pirated porn = lawsuit -- From MSNBC

[SteveHardeman]

This hasn't made the rounds yet? If it has, just let it die but I haven't seen it.

On MSNBC. That's a good thing.


http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news...d-porn-lawsuit

Some of us become exposed to it in spam or worms, like what happened with the recent "Twitter onMouseOver incident", but others seek it out.

I'm talking about porn, people. In one of my first journalism jobs, at the Village Voice, I had to fact-check web site reviews. A few were on fetishes and bestiality. You can't erase those images once you've seen them! But, to each his/her own. Unless you've illegally downloaded copyrighted sex scenes. Then, you might be in trouble.

Under scrutiny by the porn industry: users who are downloading copyrighted naughty bits at BitTorrent sites that use peer-to-peer networks to exchange the material, according to a story by Agence France-Presse (AFP). AFP reported that in recent weeks, porn producers have filed lawsuits targeting those users, with the first salvo reserved for downloads of titles that focus on shemales/transsexuals and 18-year-olds that probably look a lot like jailbait, or "barely legal." (Those lawsuits are coming from studios that specialize in the production of those niche videos.)

The studios are counting on the threat of public exposure to deter pirates and those that benefit from their distribution.

While the industry is usually not known for its solidarity, producers are coming together to fight practices that threaten their very existence. AFP's story mentions Pink Visual as one studio that "is rallying dozens of adult entertainment studio operators at an unprecedented Content Protection Retreat in Arizona in October to train in ways to combat piracy and defend intellectual property."

Just as video revolutionized the industry, the Internet changed it in a fundamental way as well, making it possible for individuals to indulge in their private preferences in the privacy of their own homes, without the embarrassing trip to the video store. But soon, sex saturated free content, for anyone who would type in search terms online.

"People were willing back then to pay top dollar for porn, now it looks like the majority of users think adult content is free," Pink president Allison Vivas told AFP. (That's right, women aren't just the stars in the industry. They call the shots from behind the scenes, too.) "That is a huge shift in just a few years."

UPDATE: I got a hold of Vivas to ask her about how the material spreads. She told me some leaks are happening through Pink's subscriber-only Internet clips, possibly from some customers who are bringing it to the peer-to-peer networks. She and the heads of other studios have also noticed entire DVD rips online.

"We have also noticed that one piece of infringed content that shows up on one site, somehow that ends up on 50 different 'tube' sites," Vivas said. "This seems to indicate that they're spidering each other, looking for new content."

The studios are in active litigation against the company that operates the top "-tube" sites, such as PornHub.

"What's ironic is that the adult industry has always been seen at the forefront of technology, but when it comes to piracy, we're three years behind," she said. "The perception porn is free makes a huge impact." And not in a good way, on their business.

In a CNBC original documentary released last year, "Porn: The Business of Pleasure," CNBC anchor Melissa Lee also made the connection between the proliferation of free sites such as Redtube and Porntube in aiding and abetting a situation that has clearly gotten out of hand.

AFP reports Larry Flynt Publications is already charging forward, having sued 635 users in a Texas court last month.

Studios are in for an uphill fight, as the Internet opens up those worlds at an earlier age for tech-savvy younger generations. In 2009, Symantec's OnlineFamily.Norton reported that "sex, porn, and Michael Jackson" were among the most popular items kids ages 18 and under searched for online that year. For boys, "porn" was the fifth most popular search term and for teens (ages 13-18), it came in at No.6. But this is the jaw-dropper: it came in at No.4 for kids ages 7 and under.

Always reliable for their insight, Mashable made an observation about the development that studios probably find all too true:

Many of these producers built their careers by distributing their goods through web-based channels that challenged traditional distribution models. Now those technologies have developed to the point that the average user can simply acquire the goods for free.

[BFT3K]

First time I've seen it.

Here's a photo for the bump...

[Phoenix]

good news...but still doesnt solve the tubes

[Davy]

I've been mentioning this for a while:
suing the customers is becoming the new business model. You can make much more money like that. There's a company based in Darmstadt, Germany, which calculated the same thing for music. And with porn, you have much more leverage. People will gladly settle out of court.
I think it's sad, but we will see much more of this.

[CYF]

is this the business plan for 2011?

[epitome]

Originally Posted by Davy

People will gladly settle out of court.

For a lot more than the membership would have ever cost them.

[sweetcuties]

This is the answer, can't wait for more lawsuits

[Mr. Cool Ice]

Originally Posted by Davy

I've been mentioning this for a while:
suing the customers is becoming the new business model. You can make much more money like that. There's a company based in Darmstadt, Germany, which calculated the same thing for music. And with porn, you have much more leverage. People will gladly settle out of court.
I think it's sad, but we will see much more of this.

It is a shame so many of the other small minded people on this board don't understand this.

[Allison]

Quoting myself from this article as no one seems to ever mention the available and viable technologies that combat piracy proactively. I guess they are so seamlessly used in the mainstream that we don't even see the technology in use.

"What's ironic is that the adult industry has always been seen at the forefront of technology, but when it comes to piracy, we're three years behind," she said.

[mgtarheels]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cool Ice

It is a shame so many of the other small minded people on this board don't understand this.

There's 0 proof this works, or is even profitable. Stop boasting as if you can predict the future about this situation when the past has shown this will be a horribly expensive endeavor for the plaintiffs.

[john FVC]

Originally Posted by CYF

is this the business plan for 2011?

If companies have financial success with this then yes expect to see as part of their business model.

[Mr. Cool Ice]

Originally Posted by Allison

Quoting myself from this article as no one seems to ever mention the available and viable technologies that combat piracy pro-actively. I guess they are so seamlessly used in the mainstream that we don't even see the technology in use.

"What's ironic is that the adult industry has always been seen at the forefront of technology, but when it comes to piracy, we're three years behind," she said.

You would write all of that but not list a few of these technologies you speak of? That was kind of you.

The problem with the technologies I've seen is they are too expensive for small companies and mom and pop sites.

[Mr. Cool Ice]

Originally Posted by mgtarheels

There's 0 proof this works, or is even profitable. Stop boasting as if you can predict the future about this situation when the past has shown this will be a horribly expensive endeavor for the plaintiffs.

I'm not sure what language you speak, but I will try it again in English: PEOPLE ARE ALREADY DOING IT.

You may need to translate that.

[mgtarheels]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cool Ice

I'm not sure what language you speak, but I will try it again in English: PEOPLE ARE ALREADY DOING IT.

You may need to translate that.

And? Does that mean it's profitable?

I'm still waiting for your proof in the other thread, btw.

The RIAA did these lawsuits for over 3 years. Was it profitable? 64:1 margin, no.

[BV]

author misspelled beastiality

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by BV

author misspelled beastiality

no he didn't, you did.

[BV]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

no he didn't, you did.

i'll be damned, you're right

[Agent 488]

sue grandpa. not the programs that run these tubes/torrent sites and make millions. make me sick losers.

[Agent 488]

it is great that the dead weight will be washed away by piracy in the next few years. this is like the death rattle.

[PornMD]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

no he didn't, you did.

Quagmire would know.

[spazlabz]

kids under 7 have porn as their 4th most popular search!!!!!!!!!!!!


WTF kind of parenting is THAT!!??

[SykkBoy]

Originally Posted by mgtarheels

And? Does that mean it's profitable?

I'm still waiting for your proof in the other thread, btw.

The RIAA did these lawsuits for over 3 years. Was it profitable? 64:1 margin, no.

These lawsuits aren't meant to generate profit. They are meant to scare people away from pirating. Think of it as an advertising expense. A cost of business, if you will.

If it's successful or not...that remains to be seen, but I don't see these producers as getting or trying to get rich from suing, rather spending that money to protect future profits.

[Agent 488]

Originally Posted by SykkBoy

These lawsuits aren't meant to generate profit. They are meant to scare people away from pirating. Think of it as an advertising expense. A cost of business, if you will.

If it's successful or not...that remains to be seen, but I don't see these producers as getting or trying to get rich from suing, rather spending that money to protect future profits.

so steve who hasn't updated his sites since 2000 and his biggest affiliate makes 180 bucks a period isn't trying to scare random people into paying him money by playing into the same shame about sexuality that he has had to deal with his whole life?

Gimme a break. he is a dead soul bullying people out of their rent and food money. pathetic.

[Jarmusch]

Don't most surfers get their pirated porn from direct download sites such as rapidshare and megaupload anyways?

[Mr. Cool Ice]

Originally Posted by Agent 488

so steve who hasn't updated his sites since 2000

I was thinking you actually may know something about this business until I read that. Then you showed you don't know anything.

If a site converts, you don't change it. Steve's sites still out convert most of the solo sites out there. If you were a webmaster or knew anything at all, you would know this.

Surfs up!

[Allison]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cool Ice

You would write all of that but not list a few of these technologies you speak of? That was kind of you.

The problem with the technologies I've seen is they are too expensive for small companies and mom and pop sites.

Although these technologies are normally $20k to $40k a month, we have an opportunity to use them for $0 or less than $1k per month. We are working with some things to get the message out a little clearer about the technologies and how the systems work, but it is complex to learn (I learn something new about it each day). Speaking of technology like digital finger printing and filtering, we did donate this site to the FSC's APAP cause: http://www.fscapap.com
(you can click on either #2 under the tubes section or #4 on the content owners to see the technology)
http://www.xbiz.com/news/125653

Much of what the FSC program consists of can only really be understood by seeing a full demo and talking with them in detail to understand the options, costs, and helping them understand your needs.

I'm also aware of other technologies in use to battle different forms of piracy, but am still learning about them and evaluating how they fit with our needs.

[Agent 488]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cool Ice

I was thinking you actually may know something about this business until I read that. Then you showed you don't know anything.

If a site converts, you don't change it. Steve's sites still out convert most of the solo sites out there. If you were a webmaster or knew anything at all, you would know this.

Surfs up!

yeah steve's sites convert like it's 1999.

surfs up.

[RycEric]

Originally Posted by SykkBoy

These lawsuits aren't meant to generate profit. They are meant to scare people away from pirating. Think of it as an advertising expense. A cost of business, if you will.

If it's successful or not...that remains to be seen, but I don't see these producers as getting or trying to get rich from suing, rather spending that money to protect future profits.

Deterrence. When we filed on Lucas, we targeted a tracker who had ignored numerous take down notices.... sitting on Cyberbunker in Antarctica. When the webmaster got word, he not only pulled the two titles named in the suit.. he pulled ALL Lucas content.
The site operator stated it was an effort "to protect their community". Fellow gay torrent sites, in Russia, also followed suit.. pulling all Lucas torrents. While that may not happen with every suit, and I am sure it won't, it does instill a sense of 'rolling the dice' when you download.

[RycEric]

Originally Posted by Allison

Although these technologies are normally $20k to $40k a month, we have an opportunity to use them for $0 or less than $1k per month. We are working with some things to get the message out a little clearer about the technologies and how the systems work, but it is complex to learn (I learn something new about it each day). Speaking of technology like digital finger printing and filtering, we did donate this site to the FSC's APAP cause: http://www.fscapap.com
(you can click on either #2 under the tubes section or #4 on the content owners to see the technology)
http://www.xbiz.com/news/125653

Much of what the FSC program consists of can only really be understood by seeing a full demo and talking with them in detail to understand the options, costs, and helping them understand your needs.

I'm also aware of other technologies in use to battle different forms of piracy, but am still learning about them and evaluating how they fit with our needs.

"By making APAP the industry standard for adult content protection"

FSC/APAP is far from the industry standard.

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by Allison

Although these technologies are normally $20k to $40k a month, we have an opportunity to use them for $0 or less than $1k per month. We are working with some things to get the message out a little clearer about the technologies and how the systems work, but it is complex to learn (I learn something new about it each day). Speaking of technology like digital finger printing and filtering, we did donate this site to the FSC's APAP cause: http://www.fscapap.com
(you can click on either #2 under the tubes section or #4 on the content owners to see the technology)
http://www.xbiz.com/news/125653

Much of what the FSC program consists of can only really be understood by seeing a full demo and talking with them in detail to understand the options, costs, and helping them understand your needs.

I'm also aware of other technologies in use to battle different forms of piracy, but am still learning about them and evaluating how they fit with our needs.

Digital fingerprinting is probably one of the most perspective anti-piracy technologies of all looming on the horizon, it is good someone is trying to implement it in adult.

[Barry-xlovecam]

Demanding money from individuals who have downloaded copyright infringing content will backfire.

Taking actions against "illegal tube sites," their advertisers and sponsors of products for sale would limit or stop the distribution. Note that I have added "advertisers and sponsors" ? they are collectible. They are knowingly participating an unlawful activity.

If the Somali pirates offered paid sponsorship for their ships and major corporations had their names placed on them, e.g., SS Corporation ? wouldn't they be materially participating in an unlawful activity?

[SykkBoy]

Originally Posted by Agent 488

so steve who hasn't updated his sites since 2000 and his biggest affiliate makes 180 bucks a period isn't trying to scare random people into paying him money by playing into the same shame about sexuality that he has had to deal with his whole life?

Gimme a break. he is a dead soul bullying people out of their rent and food money. pathetic.

I'm not saying that some won't settle...but do you really think he's going to get rich by suing a couple broke losers?

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by PornMD

Quagmire would know.

BAHAHAHAHAHA. I have no idea how I missed your post!

[Allison]

Just saw this coverage of the articles: https://youtube.com/watch?v=csvKfgXA1ts

I think it's interesting that they assume it's an industry target just focusing on just specific niches rather than seeing the articles just gave examples of companies engaging in this type of litigation.

And the comment that there's a whole industry of people who upload their own porn? What misinformation.

[gideongallery]

Originally Posted by Allison

Quoting myself from this article as no one seems to ever mention the available and viable technologies that combat piracy proactively. I guess they are so seamlessly used in the mainstream that we don't even see the technology in use.

"What's ironic is that the adult industry has always been seen at the forefront of technology, but when it comes to piracy, we're three years behind," she said.

try 23 years behind.