Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

LokiTorrent vs. MPAA

Posted by samzenpus on from the good-luck dept.

ravenspear writes "It seems that the attack on torrent sites is continuing strong. This time Lokitorrent is being sued by the MPAA. Unlike Suprnova and most of the previous sites however, they aren't planning to just roll over and die. It will no doubt be a dificult fight, but they plan to stay up for the time being. Also, they are asking for donations to cover their legal expenses. So far they have raised $8,755 out of a needed $30,000. "

12 of 909 comments (clear)

  1. Update by ravenspear · · Score: 5, Informative

    Since I submitted this they updated the site and have now have received $9,940 in donations.

    Also, they posted an image of the of the complaint they were served with here.

  2. Paypal address... by nuclear305 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Now that it's on slashdot, I'm sure they'll need that $30,000 for bandwidth bills :(

    Just FYI, their paypal address appears to be support@lokitorrent.com. If you're going to post a story about a site taking donations to fight a lawsuit, at least include a way to donate AFTER you Slashdot their site to hell and back.

  3. Re:Question to people who donate by a8o · · Score: 3, Informative

    What's the bet a site like this takes their $9,000 and runs? Is there any onus on Loki once they receive the money?

  4. It Seems They've Already Caved To MS by Aoverify · · Score: 5, Informative

    All the sudden they want to stand up for our rights? Why didn't they do so when MS contacted them and demanded they stop tracking MS related torrents?

    Any and all Microsoft software and XBOX games are "banned" from the site. Check their upload page.

    http://www.lokitorrent.com/torrents-upload.php

  5. Re:So.... by Aneurysm9 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Distributing copyrighted materials without a license is not a criminal offense. It is a violation of a civil right that gives rise to a civil cause of action. And, as others have pointed out, these sites are not distributing copyrighted content, but links to information detailing ways to obtain copyrighted content, subtle difference, but nothing worse than what Grokster is doing and that has already been ruled not to be contributory infringement.

    --
    There was Cowboy Neal at the wheel of a bus to never-ever land.
  6. 2600.com & DeCSS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    2600.com had a similar case where they were ordered not to link to any site that had decss. Never mind the fact that google and pletny of other sites did and still do.

    They lost the case.

  7. Re:lokitorrent is still illegal by toastyman · · Score: 5, Informative

    What you're referring to is called "Contributory Infringement". Basically through your actions you're allowing/facilitating copyright infringement to take place by someone else.

    http://www.crblaw.com/GetFAQAnswer.asp?id=49 has a blurb about it.

    http://www.chillingeffects.org/piracy/faq.cgi#QID2 89 goes into more detail too.

  8. Re:So.... by Aneurysm9 · · Score: 4, Informative
    A "derivative work" is a work based upon one or more preexisting works, such as a translation, musical arrangement, dramatization, fictionalization, motion picture version, sound recording, art reproduction, abridgment, condensation, or any other form in which a work may be recast, transformed, or adapted. A work consisting of editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, or other modifications which, as a whole, represent an original work of authorship, is a "derivative work".
    17 U.S.C. 101.

    Torrents are not "derivative works" under the definition of copyright because they are not "works." Works include:

    Works of authorship include the following categories: (1) literary works; (2) musical works, including any accompanying words; (3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music; (4) pantomimes and choreographic works; (5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works; (6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works; (7) sound recordings; and (8) architectural works.
    17 U.S.C. 102(a).

    A Cliff's Note is a derivative work. A card in a library's card catalog telling how many pages are in a book, etc. is not a derivative work. A torrent file is much more like a library card than a Cliff's Note. As for criminal copyright violation, that requires willful violation which can be very difficult to prove, especially when the violation may occur before the site owner knows that they may be facilitating a violation.

    --
    There was Cowboy Neal at the wheel of a bus to never-ever land.
  9. Very specific... by tomstdenis · · Score: 4, Informative

    People....

    Read the C&D letter. They are VERY SPECIFIC as to what their gripe is ... "...MPAA members studios' copyrighted works..." They never said to shut down all of the torrents or even the site. People who pledge money are just retarded.

    Tom

    --
    Someday, I'll have a real sig.
  10. New Image Link by ravenspear · · Score: 4, Informative

    Ok, if it will make you feel any better I will host a mirror of it on my server. Get it here.

  11. Update #2 - Up to $11,520 now by ravenspear · · Score: 3, Informative

    Someone in their IRC said they had received over $4,000 since this story had been posted, so I'm sure that will be revised higher.

  12. Re:$30K? by pangel83 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Yes. Google has been approached to remove links, due to DMCA, and very frequently actually. And it seems that they always agree. Just look at the notice in the bottom of this page. Here actually is a nice archive of a lot of DMCA notices sent to a number of sites.