3 Count: Hack and Leak
Have any suggestions for the 3 Count? Let me know via Twitter @plagiarismtoday.
1: Music Publishers Finally Pull the Trigger, Sue an ISP Over Piracy
First off today, Joe Mullin at Ars Technica reports that BMG Rights Management and Round Hill Music have filed a lawsuitagainst U.S. ISP Cox Communications (Note: I am a Cox subscriber) claiming that the provider does not do enough to punish repeat infringers.
Both BMG and Round Hill use Rightscorp, a service that detects suspected file sharers and then works with ISPs to deliver letters demanding small settlements. According to the lawsuit, they, through Rightscorp, have provided significant evidence of repeat infringers, including hundreds of instances of piracy on a single IP, only to have Cox Communications take no action.
Cox also does not participate in the “six strikes” system in the U.S., which is used to alert account holders that copyright infringement has been detected. There is no precedent requiring ISPs in the U.S. to disconnect repeat infringers and rightsholders, to date, had not taken the issue to court. Cox did not comment on the lawsuit.
2: Sony Movies Leak Online as Computer Systems Remain Dark
Next up today, Ryan Faughnder at The LA Times reports that Sony Pictures, still reeling from a major computer system hack that continues to leave their employees without email, is also having to deal with the leak of at least five separate movies, all but one of which haven’t been released to theaters.
The leaked films include “Fury”, a remake of “Annie”, “Still Alive”, “Mr. Turner” and “To Write Love on Her Arms”. Of those only “Fury” is out in theaters. The leaks are DVD quality but are watermarked, indicating that they were likely DVD screeners.
It has not been confirmed that the leaked films are related to the hack but, given the timing, it seems likely. It is unknown who is behind the hack but suspicion within Sony has fallen on hackers in North Korea, though others have dismissed that possibility.
3: Kim Dotcom Dodges Jail After Judge Finds He Did Not Violate Bail
Finally today, Cyrus Farivar at Wired reports that Kim Dotcom will be allowed to continue to be free after a New Zealand judge ruled that Kim Dotcom has not violated the terms of his existing bail.
Kim Dotcom was arrested in January 2012 and his site, Megaupload, was shuttered in a joint action by U.S. and New Zealand authorities. The U.S. is seeking extradition of Dotcom but, due to multiple delays, the hearing date has been pushed back to June 2015.
Last week, New Zealand prosecutors began pushing for the revocation of Kim Dotcom’s bail claiming multiple violations of the terms of bis bail agreement. However, the judge ruled that Kim Dotcom has not violated his agreement and such a revocation would be inappropriate.
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.
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