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The Impact of Torrents on Film Studios

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The Impact of Torrents on Film Studios
Hollywood Studios v. IsoHunt: The Impact of Torrents on Film Studios
Gaurav Masram
Entertainment Business, M.S.
Full Sail University

The advent of the Internet and online distribution of entertainment properties has revolutionized various ways copyrighted material is infringed. Unlike previous technologies, one can easily download copyrighted material from the web. Peer-to-peer file sharing is one such technology, which has a tremendous impact on the revenues of the original authors. Film and the entertainment industry are fighting against piracy, but the more they try, the more they fail. It is a bubble, which is blowing out of proportion without any control.
Rajshri Motion Pictures faces a huge liability and risk because of online piracy. This paper not only indulges in the scenario of online piracy by studying a relevant case, but also discusses ways to mitigate the risks and theft of copyrighted material. A motion picture is a result of successful collaboration of talent and huge investment in terms of money. Online piracy is not only a bug that eats away all the revenues, but it is like a disease, which is widespread in the world of entertainment. Research shows that copyright protection and online piracy laws are not that strict in countries like Switzerland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and UK. However, Germany and the U.S. are the only two countries that are the most stringent and active fighters against unlawful sharing of online content (" don’t download," 2013).
Torrent search engines and websites form the sources and efficient platforms for online pirates to upload and download copyrighted material for free. These websites are based on indexing technology that arranges the torrent file upload. Unlike the client server model, it works on peer-to-peer technology. Users who share files are seeds and people who download content are leeches. When a user downloads a file from a torrent platform it is downloaded



References: Boyden, B. (2010, November 1). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://law.marquette.edu/facultyblog/2010/11/01/the-most-important-supreme-court-case-in-copyright-law-sony-corp-v-universal-city-studios-1984/ Busch, R. (2013, April 1). Movie studios win important appeal against file sharing giant isohunt. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/richardbusch/2013/04/01/movie-studios-win-important-appeal-against-bittorrent-giant-isohunt/ don’t download that bro, you’re going to get busted!. (2013, March 16). Retrieved from http://torrentfreak.com/dont-download-that-bro-youre-going-to-get-busted-130316/ Ernesto. (2013, July 20). Mpaa demands source code of isohunt’s “failing” piracy filter. Retrieved from http://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-demands-source-code-of-isohunts-failing-piracy-filter-130720/ Gardner, E. (2013, March 21). Hollywood studios win isohunt appeal. Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hollywood-studios-win-isohunt-appeal-430244 Hill, K. (2013, February 25). Will the new 'copyright alert system ' actually stop people from downloading music and movies illegally?. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2013/02/25/copyright-alert-system/ Lawler, R. (2009, December 24). California court sides with hollywood studios in isohunt case. Retrieved from http://gigaom.com/2009/12/24/california-court-sides-with-hollywood-studios-in-isohunt-case/ Sandoval, G. (2013, March 21). Court affirms isohunt copyright infringement, says company encouraged piracy. Retrieved from http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/21/4132374/appeals-court-affirms-isohunt-is-liable-for-copyright-infringment What is a copyright alert?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.copyrightinformation.org/the-copyright-alert-system/what-is-a-copyright-alert/ Wilson, S. U.S. Department of Justice, Opinion. (2013). United states court of appeals for the ninth circuit (10-55946). Retrieved from United States District Court website: http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2013/03/21/10-55946.pdf

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