Month: October 2015

YIFY / YTS May Be Gone For Good

YTSIn 2010 a fresh movie piracy brand started to conquer the Internet. Bypassing the so-called ‘Scene’, YIFY joined a new breed of release groups who publish their work directly to torrent sites.

In fact, YIFY, which later rebranded to YTS, started its own torrent website featuring high quality releases of the latest movies.

The group amassed a huge following and earlier this year its website generated millions of pageviews per day. A true success story without any significant setbacks, until last week, when the website started serving a blank page out of nowhere.

The sudden disappearance is very unusual because the website had never suffered more than a few hours of downtime before.

Over the past several days we have tried to gather more information on what happened. However, the emails we sent to the group’s operator remained unanswered. This is atypical as YTS was known to be very responsive.

The lack of communication wasn’t limited to our emails either. We spoke to several insiders and other torrent site admins who regularly chatted or mailed with YTS, but they haven’t heard anything since last week either.

So what happened?

At this point we can rule out that the site is facing a DDoS attack or mere technical difficulties. Several impostors started rumors on Reddit and elsewhere to this effect but the claims are clearly false.

The same is true for any site that claims to be YTS’s official reincarnation. The YTS servers haven’t been raided and the domain name is working fine as well, so something else is up.

Interestingly, YTS’s disappearance coincides with the trouble at the main Popcorn Time fork, which shut down last Friday after a troubling week. YTS worked with Popcorn Time in the past so perhaps there’s a link?

This theory can’t be substantiated either. All Popcorn Time developers we spoke with say they haven’t heard from the YTS operator either.

Despite the trouble “YIFY” remains one of the most searched-for terms on many torrent sites. Unsurprisingly, however, no new YIFY releases have come out since early last week, which is another hint that something’s not right. The entire YTS/YIFY operation has simply come to a halt.

For now we can only speculate as to what has happened, but based on our experience and the information we’ve gathered from various sources, it appears that YTS has deliberately gone dark.

It’s too early to draw any strong conclusions but it’s not looking good, and the chances are that YTS and YIFY may be gone for good. That would end a remarkable run for one of the greatest file-sharing icons of this decade.

Update: There are various fake Facebook pages claiming that the site is suffering from a DDoS attack. Again, these are just trying to monetize the downtime and should be ignored.

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, torrent sites and ANONYMOUS VPN services.


Source: TorrentFreak

Portugal Blocks Popular Torrent and Streaming Sites

stop-blockedRather than taking site operators to court, copyright holders increasingly demand that Internet providers should block access to ‘pirate’ domains instead.

As a result, courts all around the world have ordered ISPs to block subscriber access to various pirate sites. But there are other ways.

In Portugal a voluntary process has recently been formalized through an agreement between several parties including the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Telecommunication Operators.

Earlier this year local Internet Providers were already ordered to block access to The Pirate Bay and under the new agreement it would be possible to add new pirate sites without a court intervention.

This weekend the new site blocking mechanism was used for the first time, with ISPs adding 51 new domain names connected to copyright-infringing sites.

The list (posted in full below) includes popular torrent sites including as KickassTorrents (Kat.cr), ExtraTorrent, Isohunt, YTS and RARBG, as well as streaming portals and linking sites such as Dayt.se, Watchseries and Primewire.

In addition to several new targets, Pirate Bay’s alternative domain name thepiratebay.la and unofficial proxy piratebay.to were also added. Users who try to access any of the domain names now get a notice informing them that the site has been blocked.

“The site you try to access is blocked in compliance with a notification from the Regulatory Authority,” the translated message reads.

The 51 domain names are just the start, as the various parties previously announced that hundreds of sites will eventually be blocked. Under the agreement copyright holders can file two complaints each month, each of which can target up to 50 websites.

All sites are added following complaints from copyright holders. The reported sites are investigated by local anti-piracy group MAPINET and will end up on the blocklist if there’s enough evidence of systematic infringing activity.

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The full list of blocked domain names, as reported by Exame Informatica, is as follows.

– http://1337x.to
– http://btrev.net/
– http://clubedodownload.info/
– http://dayt.se/
– http://extratorrent.cc
– http://forum-maximus.net/
– http://gigatuga.com/
– http://lusoshare.com/
– http://megafilmeshd.net
– http://moov7.net
– http://osmetralhas.pt/
– http://osreformados.com/index.php
– http://piratatugafilmes.com/
– http://poptuga.com/
– http://ptxtuga.com/
– http://revistas-jornais.blogspot.com
– http://revistas-jornais.blogspot.pt/
– http://seriestvix.tv
– http://thewatchseries.to/
– http://toppt.net/
– http://torrentreactor.com
– http://tuga.io/
– http://tugaanimado.net/
– http://tugaflix.com/
– http://tugaoxe.com/
– http://watchseries.lt
– http://www.baixartv.com/
– http://www.cinefilmesonline.net
– http://www.elitedosfilmes.com/
– http://www.filmesonline2.com
– http://www.filmesonlinegratis.net
– http://www.lusofilmesonline.com/
– http://www.monova.org
– http://www.primewire.ag
– http://www.rpds-download.org/
– http://www.scnsrc.me
– http://www.seriesvideobb.com
– http://www.sharetuga.com/
– http://www.torrenthound.com
– http://www.tuga-filmes.info/
– http://www.warez-box.net/
– http://www.watchseries.li
– https://filmesonlineportugueses.wordpress.com/
– https://isohunt.to
– https://kat.cr
– https://piratebay.to
– https://rarbg.to
– https://ratotv.net/
– https://thepiratebay.la
– https://yts.to
– http://toppt.tv

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, torrent sites and ANONYMOUS VPN services.


Source: TorrentFreak

Copyright Trolls Begin Taking Finnish Pirates to Court

So-called copyright trolls are operating on most continents in 2015 but their aims are all the same.

The name of the game is generating revenue via intimidation. Alleged file-sharers are warned that they have two choices – settle now for a relatively small sum or risk an escalation in court where costs will be much higher.

Many file-sharers call trolls’ bluff at this point in the hope that the cases against them wither and die. Indeed, in some instances that’s exactly what happens. But actually taking cases to court is a powerful weapon for these companies since a poor outcome for a file-sharer has the effect of pressurizing others to settle early.

Over in Finland this precise strategy is being employed by Hedman Partners, a law firm acting on behalf of several movie, TV show and adult distributors. Since last summer the company has sent out thousands of settlement letters to alleged pirates, each demanding payments of between 600 and 3,000 euros.

It’s unclear how many recipients have paid up thus far but it will come as no surprise that some have ignored the warnings in the hope that the threats were hollow. Now the lawfirm says it will make an example of those who have failed to pay or are otherwise failing to engage with the law firm.

According to Hedman Partners lawyer Joni Hatanmaa, his company is now taking the first three cases against Finnish citizens to court. And, as previously promised, those individuals face the prospect of vastly increased costs.

Hatanmaa told Digitoday that the low settlement demands detailed above have now been replaced with compensation claims of between 1,500 and 10,000 euros. Those targeted by the law firm also face the prospect of extensive legal costs. Losing a case in Finland means that the defendant picks up the bill from both sides.

There is also the prospect of winning a case too, which could prove a major setback for the whole scheme in Finland. However, it is likely that Hedman Partners will hand-pick the defendants with the weakest cases. In other jurisdictions, defendants who have already incriminated themselves have proven excellent targets and a clear win for the law firm will prove a great propaganda tool.

Also in the company’s favor is that under Finnish law the ISP account payer is presumed to the infringer, unless he or she can show that another user was to blame.

“The owner of the connection is always a party to the infringement and obliged to endure investigation of the matter and may be targeted with different legal measures,” the law firm explains.

Interestingly, in other countries trolls have often gone out of their way to explain that they only target the worst offenders, but Hatanmaa appears to be trying to send a different message. While the company is indeed going after serial pirates, he says that those with just a couple of downloads/uploads to their name are also on the radar and face potential court action.

“Among them are those who have shared a lot of our principals’ movies, as well as those who have shared only two episodes,” Hatanmaa explains.

It appears that part of the strategy with these tests cases is to establish a precedent on the amount of compensation the court will award per file or number of files shared. That clarity, if in the law firm’s favor, would prove a valuable point of leverage in future.

And that will be needed. Hatanmaa suggests that the three cases currently being filed represent only the beginning and that more will be added in future.

Hedman Partners made headlines in 2014 when the company demanded a 600 euro settlement (over the movie ‘This Ain’t Game Of Thrones XXX’) from Sebastian Mäki, a Finnish Tor exit-node operator and vice president of the local Pirate Party.

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, torrent sites and ANONYMOUS VPN services.


Source: TorrentFreak

Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week – 10/26/15

insideoutThis week we have four newcomers in our chart.

Inside out is the most downloaded movie.

The data for our weekly download chart is estimated by TorrentFreak, and is for informational and educational reference only. All the movies in the list are BD/DVDrips unless stated otherwise.

RSS feed for the weekly movie download chart.

Ranking (last week) Movie IMDb Rating / Trailer
torrentfreak.com
1 (…) Inside Out 8.4 / trailer
3 (…) Hitman Agent 47 (HDRip) 5.9 / trailer
3 (…) Everest (Subbed HDRip) 7.3 / trailer
4 (1) Dope 7.5 / trailer
5 (5) Jurassic World 7.2 / trailer
6 (2) Southpaw 7.6 / trailer
7 (…) Trainwreck (WEB-DL) 6.6 / trailer
8 (4) Knock Knock 5.5 / trailer
9 (6) Tomorrowland 6.6 / trailer
10 (3) Pixels 5.6 / trailer

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, torrent sites and ANONYMOUS VPN services.


Source: TorrentFreak

Inventor Files “First Run” Movie Patent to Beat Piracy

cinemaIf intellectual property rights advocates are to be believed, patents, trademarks and copyrights are the virtual backbones providing strength and support to billions of dollars in trade.

When people come up with great ideas, branding and products while protecting them via the above mechanisms, creators and society are much better off, they argue.

While the debate over that assertion will carry on indefinitely, an inventor in the United States believes that one of his ideas could actually help to protect products under copyright by providing a revolutionary new service to consumers.

Surprisingly simple in its goals, patent application US 14/668,983 describing ‘WebCinema’ aims to change everything for Hollywood and its customers.

“The technology of WebCinema is an online viewing platform that allows the public to view first-run movies on internet-capable electronic devices. WebCinema transforms the current state of new-movie viewing technology by allowing consumers to have complete choice,” applicant Reilly Johnson explains.

“Technology now makes it possible for today’s modern society to have control, convenience and choice over their movie viewing options. WebCinema is not just a new and useful process for viewing first-run movies, it provides people with that control, convenience, and choice.”

Filed in March 2015 and published earlier this month, the application lacks the complex language often present in similar filings. However, what it lacks in gobbledygook it makes up for in common sense.

“The technology is an online viewing platform that allows first-run movies to be viewed on most electronic devices that have internet capability. This is not Netflix or Hulu, where the consumer is forced to wait for many months to view an anticipated movie. WebCinema is a new and useful process that enables the general public to completely control where and when they choose to conveniently watch new or currently released Hollywood-produced movies.”

In addition to offering convenience, Reilly Johnson believes that his ‘invention’ can also help to protect copyrights. Citing the success of Popcorn Time, he says there is “logical evidence” that a system like WebCinema could help Hollywood to capture missing revenue.

“With having new-movies available online the day they’re released, ‘piraters’ would have little incentive to steal movies. For these reasons, law-abiding consumers should be more likely to pay to view a new movie instead of risking the legal implications involved with accepting pirated materials,” Johnson explains.

But despite its reluctance to do so, it’s unthinkable that Hollywood hasn’t already considered its options when it comes to releasing first-run content in a timely manner. However, it has considerable obstacles to overcome if brand new movies are to appear online the same day they debut in cinemas.

For example, the companies running cinemas in the U.S. would be furious at the proposal – and they won’t be smiling after reading Johnson’s perception of their business premises either.

“[WebCinema] will eliminate the trip to the theater, the cost of gas, limited show times, standing in long lines on opening weekend, sold out showings, the outrageous cost of refreshments, using public restrooms [and] stepping on ‘sticky stuff’,” the inventor explains. But there’s more.

“[WebCinema will prevent customers] being forced into bad seats at a crowded theater, sitting in an unclean seat, being stepped on, endless previews, plus the annoying people talking behind you and texting in front of you!” he continues.

“WebCinema also eliminates some potential health hazards. The TV newsmagazine 20/20 (ABC, Mar. 7, 2014), reported that no laws exist requiring movie theaters to be cleaned. Investigators found numerous traces of bacteria related to food poisoning, feces, and staph. They also uncovered roaches, rodents, bedbugs, and used condoms!”

Gulp.

While the patent application appears to be little more than a collection of ideas (and ideas alone can’t be patented), it certainly describes a service that millions would subscribe to if the price was right.

However, no matter how inconvenient cinemas are viewed by some, it will be a long time before Hollywood throws the silver screen to the dogs. So, in the extremely unlikely event that Johnson’s application is granted, he shouldn’t expect to make any money off it anytime soon.

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, torrent sites and ANONYMOUS VPN services.


Source: TorrentFreak