Anime Supplier threatening BitTorrent users

[ware4me]

Known for the distribution of anime to South East Asia, Singapore based Odex Pt. Ltd is responsible for handing out such acclaimed titles as Bleach, Full Metal Alchemist, Mobile Suit Gundam and Chrono Crusade to otaku in the South East. This year, a decision was made to target file sharing groups over BitTorrent after claiming sales had dropped some 70% in just two years.

Opex used a tracking system to collect the IP addresses of anyone known to be sharing their licensed works over the BitTorrent protocol. They then took this information and forced StarHub, and Internet Service Provider, to give them the information of 1000 BitTorrent users accused of infringing on their copyrights. Previously, a simliar ISP by the name of SingNet was also forced to reveal its customer details.

StarHub did, however put up a fight with attempting to keep its customer information private. The pressure from the court was found to be too great and they had agreed, in closed chambers, to hand over the information. Michael Sim, spokesman for StarHub said, "In the instance of Odex, they have satisfied the court of their need for the information. As such, we will comply with the court order"

Now that Opex has the information, their next step is going to be issuing threatening letters sent out to the list of names declaring that they've been caught beyond reasonable doubt for file-sharing copyrighted material and the only alternative to going to court is to pay a $3000 plus fine. In the letter, recipients are given 9 days to respond before legal action is taken. More at: Torrentfreak.com

[stukasa]

Companies want more money. Consumers want more freebies. What else is new?

[darkandshadow]

As simply put, stukasa is correct. However:

Even though it was keeping information private, they are violating privacy laws by actually collecting the IP's.
Bullying the IP companies is even further punishable by law. Law Authorities, such as police, or even FBI cannot
access files/info without having a warrant. The law clearly states that. So, now we're back to the blame game.
Still, if they truly believe that their products were being pirated, and they had proof, it's just a short trip with a
lawyer to the court to get the warrant.

Instead, they shot themselves in the foot...and for this matter: twice, with a 6 gauge.

Besides, it's been proven that piracy actually increases sales. Because when people like it, they will go and buy
it.

[ware4me]

Besides, it's been proven that piracy actually increases sales. Because when people like it, they will go and buy it.

So true... everything I bought was previously tested via fansubber releases!

[darkandshadow]

So true... everything I bought was previously tested via fansubber releases!

It's the same thing for software/games.

Once I get some money rolling in, I do intend on buying
Photoshop CS3 Extended as well as Fruity Loops Studio XXL Edition. It'll cost me a grand,
but because of pirating, I've grown to like the programs.

[ware4me]

Of course, we can't like a thing we don't know or understand...