Law Firm Offers to Defend 'Hurt Locker' Pirates
One law firm is offering its legal council to accused movie pirates targeted by U.S. Copyright Group.
Believe it or not, a law firm--White Berberian--has come forward to offer its services to all those accused of illegal file sharing by U.S. Copyright Group (aka Dunlap Grubb & Weaver). The latter party is currently representing Hollywood film studios, and is filing lawsuits against more than 50,000 individuals who shared movies on peer-to-peer networks. Although "The Hurt Locker" has been in the spotlight for several weeks, the U.S. Copyright Group is also defending studios behind "Call of the Wild 3D" and Uwe Boll's "Far Cry."
However the service provided to the accused file sharers appears somewhat standard and honest. For $249, the firm will help negotiate a settlement on behalf of the accused. The firm insists that accused file sharers should consult with its attorneys regarding their rights and risk exposure. There's even a guarantee of a refund if the firm can't negotiate a settlement better than what the Plaintiff originally offered.
The fee doesn't cover any "litigation-related activities."
Thousands have already received a settlement offer from U.S. Copyright Group. Typically violators receive a notice from their ISP stating that the law firm has requested their information. The notice is followed-up by a letter from the actual firm stating that someone was sharing a movie from their IP address, and that a payment of $1,500 would end the matter immediately. Those who don't take the initial offer are then charged $2,500. If accused file-sharers want to fight it out in court, it could cost up to $150,000 in fines.
For this reason, White Berberian is soliciting its legal services. But as mentioned before, there are no guarantees. "We always endeavor to achieve a successful result, but we can make no guarantee or warranty as to the outcome of a particular legal controversy or issue," the firm said.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is also helping accused file-sharers by pointing them to legal representatives.
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seriously, 2500$ for a 6 dollar movie ticket?!?
GTFO of my country.
Lawyers = spawns from hell
World without laywers = world peace, trust me
It's nice to see the occasional lawyer that isn't a scumbag emerge. That's a great thing to do on their behalf. I can't believe that they're fining $2500 over a $6 movie ticket, or a $15 movie, especially for something this low-key and... not good. Greedy bastards are merely encouraging pirates, just to spite them. Have fun doing anything to me, I'm in another country! Suckers!
Nothing like beating a pirate with another stealer...
It's nice to see the occasional lawyer that isn't a scumbag emerge. That's a great thing to do on their behalf. I can't believe that they're fining $2500 over a $6 movie ticket, or a $15 movie, especially for something this low-key and... not good. Greedy bastards are merely encouraging pirates, just to spite them. Have fun doing anything to me, I'm in another country! Suckers!
Actually they are just the same as all the other lawyers. They arnt helping people fight it, they are negotiating a "Settlement". Which means they are insuring that Dunlap Grubb & Weaver are still going to get your money.
Look at it like this. I sent two thugs to your house to shake you down for money. They say they want 10k then I sent a nicer thug to your house who acts like your friend and then says to you, well you dont have to give them 10k just give me $200 and then you only have to pay them 3k.
Either way they are still shaking you down for money. Its called Economic Terrorism.
If I ever got that suit against me, less money in my pocket = more reason to pirate.
Have fun doing anything to me, I'm in another country! Suckers!
Better be careful, depending on the country they can get you :-P
I think its completely insane for them to charge the pirates 1,500 bucks for this.... would be nice if the "legal" system could put some kind of law in place to limit the amount these things can charge, its a 25 dollar movie [bluray] most...although they could spread the movie to millions, do you really think suing these people will help? Heck if I pirated a movie and actually liked it....I would go out and buy it on dvd/bluray, why? Because I would want to support the work...
Lawyers = spawns from hell
World without laywers = world peace, trust me
well then, we're all doomed because the most powerful man on the earth is a lawyer...
Anybody else happy that people are finally standing up against this widespread theft of property ? I hope they all pay, and learn to obey the law.
That law firm isn't offering their services to help out the people accused of pirating. They are offering their services so that they can make a buck.
No law firm ever offers their services for the 'good of the client'. They are all in it for the money. If it happens to be what the client wants and they can throw their hat in the ring, then why not.
I download illegal copy from other country such as china or India or russia. so is hardly for them to find out what I actually downloading at the moment. I guess that would more security from the net watcher.
C'mon, the movie wasn't even good!
But I admit, stealing is still wrong!
The law firm is as much of an extortionist as the company that is suing the accused thieves.
My guess is that the law firm is just trying to help the film industry to get money that they know the film industry wouldn't get without their help negotiating the settlement. One thief helping the other thief while trying to steal from both of the other parties involved.
LOL Ive had this for 2 years now, if you know where to look and bypass/prevent snoops or trackers reroute your ip/vpn etc..you can get anything without looking over your shoulder. Got to be at least 10% smarter than those looking...
Don't they have to pay people to watch anything Uwe Boll makes?
1500 - 2500 per incident to make the problem "Go away" -- sounds like they are trying to keep the ass rape going even out of the theater. Fact is that 6 bucks for a movie ticket would be early mat pricing, and its more like 10 - 12 for regular peak viewing hours. Factor in a drink and what not, and it gets to 20 per person quickly, which is crap. So the people who pirate it either dont deem it worth watching for the price, or cant afford to go to the over priced anal rapage now known as movie theaters. Perhaps if the ticket prices were within reason, piracy wouldnt be as big a deal for them to get money off of.
HTTPS
The lawyers want the money just as bad as the Hurt Locker people do, simple as that.
Don't they have to pay people to watch anything Uwe Boll makes?
Agreed. Sorry Uwe Boll, but you'll have to pay me to see your movies.
glad i don't download shitty movies
I love all the complaints about blood sucking lawyers, high movie ticket prices, the quality of the pirated movie.... blah blah blah.
Let's stop making exscuses for these thieves.
Whether this is about making a quick buck or not, if it is successful in keeping people from doing these kinds of things, then it is a great thing.
I've stated that my actions several times, and even said 'come and get me' twice.
Why don't I get no lawsuit?
I feel so left out. It sucks being Canadian.
Don't they have to pay people to watch anything Uwe Boll makes?
He's one of my favourite directors. He deserves a Emmy, Grammy, Juno, and a cookie.
I have no problem with people saying pirates are thieves and a bunch of stupid other nonsense. Even though I can call bullshit easily enough, and while you can try and argue it would be flawed.
But I won't go there this time, but it does irk me that some of you are acting like these other guys are complete angels. Their just as corrupt as any pirate ever could be. To think otherwise is to not think at all.
I don't have a problem with lawyers. Remember, it's not the lawyers who are suing these users, it's the producers. The lawyers are like a gun, while the producers are the ones using the gun. Where the unfairness comes in is the way the laws have been set up to allow such an outrageous fine to be imposed for a $10 movie ticket.
I don't have a problem with lawyers. Remember, it's not the lawyers who are suing these users, it's the producers. The lawyers are like a gun, while the producers are the ones using the gun. Where the unfairness comes in is the way the laws have been set up to allow such an outrageous fine to be imposed for a $10 movie ticket.
Very true. The penalty should fit the crime. And I hope this snowball of bullying ends because its not going to stop anything. If prices are more reasonable people WILL pirate less. I personally think hollywood can shove it. They're over paid for there entertainment. Same with sports. I wish teachers, doctors, and more noble jobs made even near as much as these asses.
Far Cry? Really? I watched it and it was probably the worst movie I've ever seen. Not even C rated crap.
Netflix is your friend...
im in africa so ima keep downloading movies n series, doubt anyone will be fining me anytime soon
Any movie with a 94/100 metacritic rating isn't a bad movie. I don't know why you guys are saying it's a bad movie. Sounds like you are just mad that they tried to do something about people pirating their movie.