3 Count: Popcorn Time Again

Jonathan BaileyMarch 17, 2014

2 minutes read

Have any suggestions for the 3 Count? Let me know via Twitter @plagiarismtoday.

1: Popcorn Time Shuts Down, Then Gets Resurrected by YTS (YIFY)

First off today, Andy at Torrentfreak writes that Popcorn Time, the BitTorrent streaming software that rose to popularity for its easy-to-use interface and quick streaming of movies, has returned after being shut down. It is now being operated and developed by YTS, formerly TIFY-Torrents), the site upon whose platform the software was built.

Late last week Popcorn Time disappeared from its host amid rumors that the MPAA was planning a lawsuit against its developers. Those developers have now said that they have backed away from the project, saying that they need to move on with their lives.

Popcorn Time is an open source project, which means that any developer can continue work on the codebase. For now though YTS has decided to take the lead on the project saying they are in a better copyright position to do so.

2: News Organizations Back Google In Battle To Restore ‘Innocence Of Muslims’

Next up today, Wendy Davis at MediaPost reports that a variety of news organizations, including the New York Times Company, the Los Angeles Times Communications and the Washington Post have filed a brief with the 9th Circuit asking the four to consider an earlier ruling in the “Innocence of Muslims” case.

In that case, a three-judge panel ruled that actress Cindy Garcia has rights in her brief performance in the controversial “Innocence of Muslims” trailer, which she says she was duped into appearing in. In agreeing with Garcia’s arguments, the court ordered YouTube, which had been hosting the video, to remove not just the copy in question, but every other on the service. The court also ordered Google to remain silent about the removal for at least one week.

Google is now asking the court to rehear the case en banc, which would put it in front of the entire 9-judge panel. Many have expressed concern that the ruling could give actors veto power over movies they appear in, especially in cases where no agreement was signed.

3: Holocaust Novel Focus of Copyright Suit

Finally today, Kate Taylor at The Globe and Mail reports that filmmakers Judy Maltz, Barbara Bird and Richie Sherman have filed a lawsuit against author J.L. Witterick and Penguin Canada alleging that the book My Mother’s Secret is a plagiarism and a copyright infringement of No. 4 Street of Our Lady, a 2009 documentary.

Witterick, for her part, admits to seeing the film in 2011 and being inspired to write a book based upon it. However, she said that she just took the facts from the movie and wrote her book based on those, which she understands to be not copyrightable.

However, the filmmakers point to several instances where the movie and book have stronger similarities, including similar dialog and phrasing. Both books tell the story of a Catholic woman in Poland who saved many of her Jewish neighbors from the holocaust.

Suggestions

That’s it for the three count today. We will be back tomorrow with three more copyright links. If you have a link that you want to suggest a link for the column or have any proposals to make it better. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I hope to hear from you.