Andre Yoskowitz
23 Jun 2007 9:58
This week, we reported that Michael Moore's "Sicko" was leaked to the internet, a week before its scheduled release date. It was first available on YouTube and then on P2P and torrent trackers.
Although Michael Moore has said that he does not mind people distributing his films online, the copyright owners are taking a different stance. Weinstein Co. has promised legal action if and when they find out who is responsible for uploading the film.
"Every DVD screener that comes from the Weinstein Co. is watermarked and traceable," Weinstein Co. general counsel Peter Hurwitz said. "We are actively investigating who illegally uploaded 'Sicko' to the Internet, and we will take appropriate action against that person(s)."
Although Weinstein Co. promised to find the uploader they may have a very hard time finding the individual or individuals. However, finding the person who was entrusted with the DVD screener in the first place should be much easier.
When Operation D-Elite began after the illegal uploading of Star Wars Episode III, the American uploader, Scott McCausland, got in trouble, especially because he was on an American-based torrent site and because he was also the administrator of the site.
For the Weinstein’s investigation to be successful, the individual or individuals responsible must have made some very obvious mistakes that would leave a trail. The watermarks on the film however, known as Coded Anti-Piracy, usually identify the source of the screener and that could lead to trouble for that individual.
Source:
Slyck