HotFile is SUED!
By gloamglozer
@gloamglozer (1289)
Australia
March 23, 2011 6:05am CST
Some of you may be using HotFile, to make some extra money online. However, they have been sued by many major Hollywood Studios such as Disney, Warner Brothers and Universal Pictures. The problem is the site policy is not very strict on controlling piracy especially with the rewards program that lets you earn money every time one of your files are downloaded. As a result of being sued, many premium users have had their account suspended and most of the time with little reason why. They are also taking their responsibility to remove copyrighted material more seriously.
If you are using HotFile as file storage, I recommend you have a backup of your files. In the past, I have had some of my files reported even though they do not contain any copyright material at all. And I have recently lost some more files from HotFile.
Source:
http://freecourtdockets.com/Interesting-Federal-Case-News/Federal-Copyright-Cases/Florida/Disney-Enterprises-v-Hotfile-Corp/Disney-Enterprises-v-Hotfile-Corp.html
http://torrentfreak.com/hotfile-goes-to-war-against-copyright-infringers-110219/
2 responses
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
23 Mar 11
This is likely to become a more common situation with many online file storage facilities, especially those like Hotfile which have 'rewards' programs.
Some of the larger companies feel that it is worth their while to spend money on protecting their copyright, especially when it involves suing companies like HotFile which may not have strict anti-copyright procedures.
The straight answer is that it is time that many people understood that copyright is a real asset, defensible in law, and that it is a criminal act to pass on copyright material without paying the owners. Just as with your experience, there will be some people who have files removed and accounts suspended, even if they were not, in fact, breaking the law. File host services would rather err on the side of safety than risk prosecution.
Caveat emptor! ... 'Let the buyer beware' is always the safest watchword. Make sure that you always have a backup if you choose to use one of these services!
1 person likes this
@Maikel631 (18)
• Morocco
23 Mar 11
These kinds of cases were coming, you could almost smell it. For years, file hosts host millions of files that shouldn't be there.
And yes, one time, the copyright owners stand up against that. I think maybe this wil follow for other file hosts, just because this happens everywhere!
So yeah, follow the advice given, backup your files!
@gloamglozer (1289)
• Australia
24 Mar 11
Yeah, many other filehosts (including RapidShare and MegaUpload) have previously been targeted by other copyright holders and pretty much making the same case.
