Hotfile Battles MPAA Over Private User Data Disclosure

[CyberAff]

Earlier this year, member companies of the MPAA filed a lawsuit against the Hotfile file-hosting service and ever since the parties have been back and forth submitting and responding to court papers. Now it seems that the MPAA want Hotfile to hand over just about every piece of data the company holds, from the IP addresses of uploaders and downloaders to the company?s source code.

For Disney, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal, Columbia and Warner, their battle with the Hotfile cyberlocker service is developing into a costly and complicated affair.

The MPAA, who would love a decisive victory against a cyberlocker service under their belt, probably selected Hotfile because of its relative lack of might when compared to market leaders RapidShare and MegaUpload. The company also has a track record of settling lawsuits rather than fighting them. The outcome in the case, whichever way it goes, will have serious implications for others in the same field in the United States.


At this stage there are no indications Hotfile will roll over in this case, but as pages and pages of legal papers are filed and responded to, it is becoming increasingly clear that the MPAA is determined to play hardball.
In a filing from Hotfile dated June 17th, the company bemoans the tactics employed by the MPAA, describing their requests for information as ?over-reaching? and tantamount to ?murder by litigation.?
So what data does the MPAA want from Hotfile? In a single word ? everything.


?In five short demands for documents and two related interrogatories, Plaintiffs seek all data referring to all files hosted by Hotfile, all data about Hotfile?s users, all data about Hotfile?s business partners [aka affiliates], every line of source code ever written, and virtually every conceivable piece of financial data available regarding Hotfile or its business partners or its individual founders,? Hotfile?s legal time write.
Nevertheless, it appears that up to a point Hotfile is prepared to comply with the requests of the MPAA. However, as the tables below show, the company is trying to protect the identities of users and affiliates as much as it can.

The MPAA?s requests for disclosure go beyond user data. The Hollywood outfit is demanding that Hotfile hands over every version of the site?s source code that has ever existed.


Hotfile is currently resisting that request, describing its code as a trade secret which took two people more than 1,000 hours to create. Hotfile?s software gives it a competitive advantage, its legal team argues, and it would prove catastrophic if it fell into the wrong hands.


The case is becoming increasingly complex and is already developing into a bloody legal brawl. Will Hotfile continue to resist the temptation to settle in the face of ?murderous litigation?, or will it concede defeat in the face of overwhelming opposition and financial resources?


Hotfile uploaders, downloaders and affiliates will certainly be hoping for the former.


Source: (URL)

CyberAff Reviewed by CyberAff on 25th Jun 2011. Hotfile Battles MPAA Over Private User Data Disclosure http://torrentfreak.com/images/hotfile1.jpg Earlier this year, member companies of the MPAA filed a lawsuit against the Hotfile file-hosting service and ever since the parties have been back and forth submitting and responding to court papers. Now it seems that the MPAA want Hotfile to hand over just about every piece of data the company holds, from the IP addresses of uploaders and downloaders to the company?s source code. For Disney, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal, Columbia and Rating: 5

[ThreeNF]

lol

Wish hotfile DIE!

[SJshah]

Thats fucked up.

The MPAA will not win this if Hotfile fight the case.

[soft2050]

WTF?

They shouldn't ever share the personal data of users and good to see they are fighting for it

[Smith]

lol

Wish hotfile DIE!

You idiot, hotfile is dead anyway, text is about something else so read it before commenting. If they give private information of users, many uploaders (top ones) who used/use Hotfile will be in big ass trouble.

They don't have enough ball to go for RS or MU, instead they mess with Hotfile.

[DJ Norix]

If they are forced by law they must give away personal data. If your read their TOS it clearly states that under the pressure of the law they will give away personal data.

[Daniel]

lol

Wish hotfile DIE!

Hotfile died many months ago.

[cyano]

hotfile died anyway lol...Who wins who losses nothing matters ......

[Lifetalk]

Looks like this could potentially be bad news for a lot of uploaders out there; and for the filehost scene in general (assuming Hotfile goes down in face of legal pressure).

[Virtual]

If they are forced by law they must give away personal data.

which law, is it USA law ?

isn't hotfile's office based outside the u.s ?