MPAA Files Suit Against Piracy Website

The Motion Picture Association of America has filed a federal lawsuit alleging copyright violations against the file sharing site Hotfile and its operator Anton Titov. Hotfile has been responsible for the theft of feature films and television shows produced by the MPAA member studios, and in some case has available movies still playing in theaters, the association said. “The theft taking place on Hotfile is unmistakable,” said Daniel Mandil, general counsel and chief content protection officer. “Their files are indeed ‘hot,’ as in ‘stolen.’ It’s wrong and it must stop.” The suit filed in U.S. District alleges Hotfile and Titov, a foreign national living in Florida, with direct infringement for unlawfully distributing copyrighted works, inducement of infringement, contributory infringement and vicarious infringement, for actively promoting, enabling and profiting from their users’ copyright infringement. The Sherman Oaks-based MPAA represents the major Hollywood studios. Mark R. Madler