Copyright, Piracy & Counterfeit News

TikTok Hashtag Brings Down Z-Library Textbook Piracy Site

Book Piracy, Copyright Infringement / November 17, 2022 November 21, 2022

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Russian nationals Valeriia Ermakova and Anton Napolsky were arrested in Argentina on November 3 and charged with criminal copyright infringement in addition to money laundering and wire fraud. The Russians are allegedly the architects of the popular textbook piracy platform, Z-Library. The e-book pirates are accused of illegally …

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Torrent Site Co-Founder Guilty of Movie Piracy: #5 of 7

In 2020, a private torrent site called Asgaard was shuttered after significant legal pressure. Now its 47-year-old co-founder has been convicted for his role in massive movie piracy. He was sentenced to three months of probation, 80 hours of community service and a fine. In addition to Asgaard, he was also involved with other pirate …

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Labels Awarded $46.7 Million From ISP in Music Piracy Trial

In Austin, Texas, a federal jury has ruled that Grande Communications Networks LLC, rebranded as Astound Broadband, must pay several music labels $46.7 million as compensation for music piracy committed by its users. The jury decided that the internet service provider should be held responsible for users’ infringement activities on its platform. Plaintiffs included Warner …

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Developers Sue GitHub for Alleged Copilot Software Piracy

GitHub’s Copilot program removes the licenses of thousands of software developers, perhaps millions, leading to what is effectively software piracy on a massive scale. That is what’s at the center of an important class action lawsuit filed by Joseph Saveri Law Firm and programmer Matthew Butterick, in San Francisco’s federal court. Along with GitHub, the …

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IKEA Files Legal Action Over Alleged Trademark Infringement

Trademark Infringement / October 29, 2022 December 5, 2022

The one-man indie game studio, Ziggy, has created The Store is Closed, a survival game that takes place in an “infinite furniture store,” where players must build fortifications and weapons so that they can survive the night. The problem: Jacob Shaw, the man behind Ziggy, must first survive a legal action claiming trademark infringement. Shaw …

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Bill Nye Sues for Counterfeiting and Trademark Infringement

Counterfeit Products, Trademark Infringement / October 25, 2022 December 5, 2022

Bill Nye Productions, Inc. has filed a counterfeiting and trademark infringement lawsuit against domain names associated with interactive websites that import and sell counterfeit Bill Nye merchandise. The organization also filed a temporary restraining order. William Stafford Nye, known by his moniker Bill Nye the Science Guy, is a mechanical engineer, television personality and CEO …

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Creators Sued for IP and Copyright Infringement

What do a tattoo artist, TikTok creator, wrestling star Randy Orton, Netflix’s “Bridgerton” series, NFTs, Instagram and Andy Warhol’s Prince portrait have in common? They all figure prominently in recent copyright infringement and intellectual property lawsuits. These diverse creators and media channels are all currently involved in litigation, from district courts to the U.S. Supreme …

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Court Says RCN Repeat Infringement Lawsuit Can Continue

U.S. copyright law requires internet providers to shut down the accounts of repeat copyright infringers in certain cases. The reluctance of internet providers (ISPs) to adhere to this rule has led to infringement lawsuits over the past several years. RCN is one of the named providers, and in 2021, they were sued by various film …

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How Brands Can Economically Fight Online Counterfeiters

Counterfeit Products / October 13, 2022 November 10, 2022

Organizations struggling with brand protection are looking for new ways to combat unscrupulous counterfeiters hawking counterfeit products. One lesser-known though increasingly popular method is to file emergency temporary restraining orders (eTROs). From 2019 to 2021, the number of eTROs filed increased by 70%. This is a less expensive, easier and faster way to deter would-be …

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Sports Rights Holders Demand That EU Acts on Event Piracy

TV & Film Piracy / October 6, 2022 November 2, 2022

A letter signed by 108 signatories that include the largest broadcasters, sports organizations and associations for live performers demands that the European Union (EU) takes a stronger stance against what has become rampant piracy of live events. According to a 2021 report, broadcasters and organizers lose 28 billion Euro (US $27.8 billion) annually. Other signatories …

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