ICANN Simplifies Requests For Hidden Domain Name Registration Data
Much like regular websites operated by governments, companies, organizations, and the general public, most internet-based piracy services can be accessed using a domain name. From a user’s perspective, domain names are more easily remembered than IP addresses and remain the same despite IP address changes behind the scenes. Domain names also play an important role in conveying branding and as a result can be worth considerable sums of...
Site Blocking Fallout Keeps GitHub Unusable for Some Indians
Like many other countries around the world, India’s copyright law allows rightsholders to limit access to pirate sites. Major entertainment industry companies regularly obtain injunctions that require local Internet providers to block websites to prevent piracy. In essence, these measures are straightforward as specific domains are identified for blocking. However, injunctions can be issued before infringements take place and can be...
Operation 404: USDOJ, PIPCU, ACE, MPA, IFPI, ESA, EPL & More Target Pirate Sites
Over the past four years, anti-piracy campaign Operation 404 has become a permanent fixture in the enforcement calendar with the results of new phases announced every few months. The results of the fifth wave of Operation 404 were released in March 2023; around 200 illegal streaming and gaming sites, 128 domains and 63 music apps were reported blocked, with raids on locations across Brazil leading to 11 arrests. While Brazil has been...
Shopify Files Fresh Lawsuit over DMCA Takedown Harassment
Signed into law a quarter century ago, the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) aimed to equip copyright holders with new tools to protect their works online. A key element of the law requires online service providers to remove or disable access to infringing content in response to a takedown notice. The system isn’t bulletproof. Rightsholders repeatedly complain that their content swiftly resurfaces after it’s removed. At the same...
Google Bans ‘Downloader’ Again Following Markscan DMCA Notice
Created by software developer Elias Saba and released on the Amazon Appstore in November 2016, ‘Downloader’ offered two things; an empty URL field and a download button. Downloader was intentionally basic but as a former Fire TV Product Manager at Amazon, Saba knew that a simple tool to transfer files would solve a fundamental shortcoming. Over 50 million installs of Downloader to date speak for the software’s popularity but in May...
Court: Cloudflare is Liable for Pirate Site, But Not as a DNS Provider
Popular Internet infrastructure service Cloudflare has come under a lot of pressure from copyright holders in recent years. The company offers its services to millions of customers including multinationals, governments, but also some of the world’s leading pirate sites. Cloudflare Must Stop Pirate Site Pirate sites have proven to be quite a headache for Cloudflare and have landed the San Francisco-based tech company in court on...
