3 Count: Scammer Repayment

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

1: YouTube Copyright ID Scammers Must Pay Artists $3.3m Restitution

First off today, Ernesto Van der Sar at Torrentfreak reports that two YouTube Content ID scammers have been ordered to pay some $3.3 million in restitution to victims on top of lengthy prison sentences that both have already been handed.

The case began in 2021 when the US Department of Justice launched a criminal proceeding against a company named MediaMuv LLC. The allegations were that, through a third party, the scammers gained access to YouTube’s ContentID system and used it to claim music that they didn’t own the rights to.

According to the Department of Justice, the two men behind the company generated more than $23 million in revenue after claiming some 50,000 songs. Both defendants have since pleaded guilty, with one getting 70 months in prison and the other 46. In addition to that sentence, the court is now ordering that the men pay $3.3 million in restitution to victims, for which both defendants are jointly responsible and must start making minimum monthly payments immediately.

2: Insurance Firm vs St+art India Over Mural: HC Interim Relief to Latter in Copyright Case

Next up today, Express News Service reports that, in New Delhi, Inidia, an art group is taking a local insurance company to court over the use of a mural owned by the organization in an advertising campaign.

The group involved is St+art India, which focused on urban renewal through artistic works. The mural at issue, entitled Humanity, was painted by artist Paola Delfin Gaytan. However, the mural was used by the Acko General Insurance as part of an advertising campaign, prompting St+art India to file the lawsuit.

The court has sided with the plaintiffs, ordering the defendant to take down the listings within 72 hours. However, that order is pending submissions by Acko and does not weigh in on the legal issues. A decision along those lines is expected following a hearing in February 2024.

3: MPA Introduces New Anti-Piracy PSAs That Show Personal Risks Users Face When Streaming Illegal Content

Finally today, Ted Johnson at Deadline reports that the Motion Picture Association (MPA), along with two other groups, have released a new series of public service announcements that focus on the personal dangers of illegal streaming.

The campaign includes a 60-second spot that features a couple illegally streaming a film while burglars are robbing their house while they are unaware. The commercial then goes on to say that, even with a VPN, illegal streaming can open you up to malware, credit card fraud and more.

Previous campaigns have focused more on the impacts of piracy on the industry, in particular industry jobs. The MPA hopes that this new approach will convince more customers to move to legitimate streaming services.

The 3 Count Logo was created by Justin Goff and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.