Cinetel Fims, Inc. and Family of the Year Productions, LLC. recently filed a lawsuit against multiple Does for copyright infringment of their film “I Spit on Your Grave”. The lawsuit was filed by Thomas M. Dunlap of Dunlap, Grubb and Weaver PC in the U.S. District Court, District of Maryland (Greenbelt) on August 30th, 2011.
The suit alleges that Does 1- 1,052 particiated in illegally downloading the movie using ”BitTorrent protocol,” which involves many computers uploading and downloading small pieces of data until these pieces create an entire file – or in this case, an entire movie. In this particular case, defendants were transferring data on a P2P network. While similar to other types of peer-to-peer file sharing, this method varies a little in that the initial file sharer uploads the entire file, referred to as a ’seed’. Other sharers elect to download the file and then share pieces of it with other sharers also downloading small pieces. Continuous uploading and downloading of media is called a ‘swarm.’
Cinetel Films and Family of the Year Productions, LLC. have identified the Does by IP Address only and requests additional information such as names and addresses from IP providers. A list of IP addresses gathered by the company has been entered into evidence. “I Spit on Your Grave” is protected by under copyright law with Certificate of Registration issued by the United States Copyright Office. Cinetel Films and seeks damages of $150,000, cost of attorney fees, and other relief the court deems appropriate. Cinetel Films and Family of the Year Productions, LLC. also asks that each defendant destroy all copies of the film and any other items pertaining to the film.
If you’ve received a letter from Cinetel Films, Inc. or Family of the Year Productions, LLC. pertaining to this case or if you’re received a letter from other distribution companies, production companies or businesses alleging that you engaged in illegally downloading copyrighted materials, contact an independent copyright attorney to learn more about your rights.
Follow the links below to learn more about this case:
Cinetel Films, Inc. and Family of the Year Productions, LLC. Complaint (filed August 30, 2011)
Cinetel Films, Inc. and Family of the Year Productions, LLC. Civil Docket (filed August 30, 2011)
