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Pirates Slowly Killing MediaDefender

torrentfreak.com — It has been a rough year for MediaDefender and their parent company ArtistDirect. Last September a database of internal emails leaked, and last week they received more bad press for DDoSsing Revision3. Unsurprisingly, MediaDefender ’s revenue has dropped significantly as a result.

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  • Bowsky07, on 06/03/2008, -0/+146I can't wait for the day all of their illegal activities catch up with them.
    • reported, on 06/04/2008, -42/+0Reported and Buried you racist!
    • TWrex, on 06/04/2008, -7/+17Funny, thats pretty much what they're saying about pirates.
      • dullnation, on 06/04/2008, -2/+20It's almost as though he was being ironic...
    • SLockhart, on 06/04/2008, -1/+10Oh the irony.
    • AutoTom, on 06/04/2008, -4/+1you mean exactly what this article is about?
  • Yatti420, on 06/03/2008, -0/+80When they finally do walk off the plank, there better be alligators at the bottom..
  • xero69, on 06/03/2008, -0/+70When they go belly up I hope the repo men come dressed in full pirate costumes. That would be epic.
  • bballbackus, on 06/03/2008, -12/+150Initiate ***** THE sequence,

    ***** THE RIAA
    ***** THE MPAA
    ***** THE CRIA
    ***** BREIN
    ***** THE BSA
    ***** MediaDefender!
    ***** THE IFPI!
    ***** THE DMCA!
    ***** THE BPI!

    Tell me if I forgot someone!
    • Tufriast, on 06/04/2008, -7/+69You sir are a real American Hero...

      When the news post is fresh, and its about piracy, you're there with the F-bombs ready and waiting. You have NO shame in dropping them left and right like Randy Savage's Flying Elbows. Just when you think that pro-intellectual property pundit has gotten his way - we all know YOU'LL BE THERE.

      So here's to you Mr. pro-intellectual property ***** bomber.
      /cue music
    • cheezintern, on 06/04/2008, -9/+46***** George Bush?
    • Ampidire, on 06/04/2008, -0/+45comcast
    • jwoulf, on 06/04/2008, -33/+5You forgot Barack Hussein Obama.
      • woofers07, on 06/04/2008, -1/+23I'm seriously sick of rednecks who feel they need to use Obama's middle name. We get it, it's the same as Sadam's last name, STFU and move on.
      • RMoore08, on 06/04/2008, -1/+8he also forgot jwoulf
    • AutoTom, on 06/04/2008, -2/+16hilary clinton? dick cheney? the FCC the FBI the CIA
      • javaroast, on 06/04/2008, -0/+21You go ahead and ***** Hilary, god her husband won't even do that.
    • MadOgre, on 06/04/2008, -2/+20The IRS.
    • inspecality, on 06/04/2008, -7/+14*****, *****, ***** THE POLICE
    • trixterIreland, on 06/04/2008, -0/+6you forgot someone. european music associations and movie associations :)
    • masa313, on 06/04/2008, -16/+2Your mom. For giving birth to the lowest form of life on earth, a ***** dig spammer.
      • meeee, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2Actually, if that was the case, ***** would be the problem.
    • kurttrail, on 06/04/2008, -8/+7Yourself.
    • derjames, on 06/04/2008, -2/+20*****=['RIAA','MPAA','CRIA','BREIN','BSA',' MediaDefender!','IFPI!','DMCA!','BPI!']
      for item in *****:
      ... print "***** the ", item
      • iHack3r, on 06/04/2008, -0/+4['RIAA,'MPAA,'CRIA','BREIN','BSA','MediaDefender','IFPI','DMCA','BPI'].each { |i|
        puts "***** THE #{i}"
        }

        :-)
      • kpsfire, on 06/04/2008, -1/+2String[] ***** = {"RIAA", "MPAA", "CRIA", "BREIN", "BSA", "MediaDefender", "IFP", "DMCA", "BPI"};
        for(String a : *****)
        {System.out.println("***** THE " + a + "!");}
      • iJump, on 06/04/2008, -1/+1// How about this,

        int main
        {
        NSString *orgs = @"RIAA, MPAA, CRIA, BREIN, BSA, MediaDefender, IFP, DMCA, BPI";
        NSArray *orgsIHate = [orgs componentsSeperatedByString:@", "];
        NSLog(@"***** THE %@", orgsIHate);
        return 0;
        }

      • blakeg, on 06/17/2008, -0/+1Dugg for Python usage.
    • mrinsanity, on 06/04/2008, -1/+15***** IT, WE'LL DO IT LIVE!
    • jwoulf, on 06/04/2008, -9/+4Ok then, you forgot Barack Obama.
    • ThirdPrize, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2Yo mamma.
    • kalle86, on 06/04/2008, -0/+3***** ANTIPIRATBYRÅN!
    • Culyt, on 06/04/2008, -0/+8***** ARIA (the Australian RIAA)

      ☢
    • lilmoder, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2LaMPA - It's like RIAA in Latvia. They closed some good DC hubs.
    • mochaman, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2TimeWarner for introducing bandwidth caping.
    • Observer001, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2Yeah, I hated the bank secrecy act of 1970! ***** you, usurers!
    • doshindude, on 06/04/2008, -0/+3The FCC
    • localhost6881, on 06/04/2008, -0/+5***** scientology
    • crapmatic, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2and ***** all y'all!
  • jasperwillem, on 06/03/2008, -6/+1You forgot the MPA!
  • FallOutBoyTonto, on 06/04/2008, -6/+23Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't DDoSsing 'Distributed Denial of Service'?
    They acted alone so shouldn't it be just DoSsing?
    • oxdeltaxo, on 06/04/2008, -0/+40No, it was still distributed. They had one master computer telling many slave computers to flood their servers. It would only be a DOS if it were one computer.
    • CrazyGoat, on 06/04/2008, -0/+4It was distributed across several thousand servers, on several internet connections - although all owned by the same company.
    • fredBG, on 06/04/2008, -8/+0and if you guys ever used peer guardian you 'd be so surprised on how many
      multi national corps are in this DDoS game, even lame hilton hotels, your own isp and so many more you can safely calculate trillions of computers on the loose.
      • Lunarbunny, on 06/04/2008, -1/+3PeerGuardian lists are the work of conspiracy theories and grudges.
    • AutoTom, on 06/04/2008, -2/+2they have a cluster of servers
    • trixterIreland, on 06/04/2008, -0/+9they seeded fake torrents with the addr of revision3 as the tracker, causing thousands and thousands of bit torrent clients to hammer them.

      "He found out that MediaDefender used the Revision3 BitTorrent tracker for the fake torrents they upload to various BitTorrent sites."
      http://torrentfreak.com/revision3-sends-fbi-after- ...

      "ArtistDirect CEO Dimitri Villard and MediaDefender vice president Ben Grodsky admitted to Louderback that they had been exploiting the lax security configuration of Revision3's BitTorrent tracker and using it to conduct decoying operations, but they disavowed knowledge of the denial of service attack and claimed that their servers were only pinging Revision3 once every three hours."
      http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080529-revi ...

      now there is some conflicting information in those two, one indicates that it was media defender that was doing a SYN flood (the first of 3 packets in a TCP connection handshake) but its more likely they were so lagged that the connections timed out before they could be established and it appeared to be a syn flood.

      The whole thing about media defender using someone elses bit torrent tracker without permission, taking advantage of "lax security" rings of a 18 USC 1030 criminal (and civil under 1030(g)) violation. If you or I took advantage of someones "lax security" and took out someones systems and networks we would be in jail already.

      But the fact that they were using the tracker, what were they doing? pinging only or uploading torrents that used that tracker (more of what I think was going on).
  • XedLos, on 06/04/2008, -1/+43I'm still waiting for a Revision3 MediaDefender law suit
    • AutoTom, on 06/04/2008, -3/+5sorry dude they said they wouldnt sue, not worth the legal cost
      • Culyt, on 06/04/2008, -0/+5I would think it would be worth it for the good PR though
        ☢
  • Trixrox, on 06/04/2008, -1/+36Urgh, anti piracy organizations are annoying, it almost makes you want to pirate just to spite them. Having said that, it is important to pay for good software....***** software can be pirated.
    • Gryffydd, on 06/04/2008, -7/+6So I shouldn't have downloaded ubuntu from the pirate bay? I'm so confused...
      • SSUK, on 06/04/2008, -2/+10Free != Pirated. Idiot.
        • Gryffydd, on 06/04/2008, -1/+1It's called a joke. Idiot.
          I prefer Fedora over Ubuntu anyway.
      • stix213, on 06/04/2008, -1/+1Why the hell would you download Ubuntu from the pirate bay?
        • Gryffydd, on 06/04/2008, -1/+1I wouldn't. That's the point. I give up trying to be sarcastic on digg anymore. Too many idiots means everybody just assumes I'm one.
        • stix213, on 06/04/2008, -1/+1Well, if your point wasn't so lame then maybe people would appreciate your sarcasm
        • Gryffydd, on 06/04/2008, -0/+1They don't need to appreciate it, they just need to recognize it. And how is the point lame that some of the best software on the planet is already free, while some of the worst is the most expensive?
    • McMaster88, on 06/04/2008, -1/+8Software that you use to do your job, for example: An engineer would need AutoCAD, should buy it. It is a tax write off anyway. But a person that takes pictures with his/her 6megapixel camera and then uses photoshop to put effects on them as a hobby doesn't need to pay for it. My rule is; "If the software can be a tool for me to use to make more money I will pay for it, if I'm just going to use the software for hobbies and not make any money with it. pirate it."
  • xtractor, on 06/04/2008, -3/+4So ironic that the music labels are screwing them [with less spending]. Irony FTW.
  • cheezintern, on 06/04/2008, -1/+26Good, I have no sympathy for that company. I'm going to download some movies and music albums, and seed them for a few days, just to spite them.
  • frostbit3, on 06/04/2008, -2/+11I hope they burn in hell
    • Ratteler, on 06/04/2008, -0/+9I hope they burn on Earth... THEN in hell.
  • qbthemc, on 06/04/2008, -16/+3I am snitching to the RIAA on all of you.
    • Travelsonic, on 06/04/2008, -3/+2Forget the < / sarcasm > ?
      • qbthemc, on 06/04/2008, -5/+1I am being serious. I am going to call the RIAA.
        • Travelsonic, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2Good luck with that. *chortle* *snicker* *guffaw*
      • McMaster88, on 06/04/2008, -1/+51-985-655-2500

        Thats a direct line to the "RIAA"
        • qbthemc, on 06/04/2008, -5/+0I know this is a rick roll number you douche.
    • Travelsonic, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2What, may I ask, would you "snitch" on "us" for anyways?
  • darkphan, on 06/04/2008, -1/+31MediaDefender is nothing more than an arm of organized crime, and should be delt with accordingly by the government. Will the government do anything? Heck no, they receive too much money from the backers of MediaDefender.
  • Mr_Lyle, on 06/04/2008, -1/+33MediaDefender's revenue would drop even more if Revision3 stand up for themselves and sue MD's ass for what they've done to them. It's ***** criminal to DDoS a service and after what MediaDefender did, Revision3 has them by the balls and they're just gonna let 'em go. They should do the entire internet a favor and just put these ***** away once and for all.

    Come on Revision3, take a stand and stop being a bunch of pussies. Plenty of people willing to donate cash for your legal fees to help take these assholes out. Let's get it done.
    • DeathfireD, on 06/04/2008, -0/+5I think it comes down to money. Even if Revision3 spent the money to take them to court and possibly win, would they make any money when it's all said and done? Probably not, Media Defender could just claim bankruptcy or make a deal with Revision3 before it even hit court.
      • Genma, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2thats pretty much the whole reasoning behind it, as they said the damages that could be proven only amounted to something around 100k so it's not really worth it.
    • jabelli, on 06/04/2008, -0/+4Jim Louderback and Martin Sargent of Revision3 were on this week's TWiT. They will not be suing, but they have sicced the FBI on MediaDefender/ArtistDirect.

      ref: http://twit.tv/145
  • MadOgre, on 06/04/2008, -0/+10Of course Revision3 shouldn't go after MediaDefender in court. They need to go after ArtistDirect.
  • Radica1Faith, on 06/04/2008, -1/+16Pirates get all the attention. Ninja's have a lot of catching up to do. Or maybe we just haven't noticed
    • 1337Einstein, on 06/04/2008, -0/+11If ninjas were involved there would be nothing slow about mediadefender's death.
    • mrinsanity, on 06/04/2008, -0/+11If you notice them, they're NOT real ninjas.
      • McShr3dd3r, on 06/04/2008, -0/+3I thought I saw a Ninja once, it was only a pirate wearing a Ninja suit.
  • feanix, on 06/04/2008, -0/+7I doubt that it was anything as dramatic as pirates killing the RIAA. We haven't changed our downloading habits at all due to MediaDefender. It was like trying to dry up a river by throwing matches into it. The music industry realized this, and stop paying MD to throw matches when it was being paid to build dams (somehow).

    All this stuff about the music industry backstabbing MD or pirates laying siege to MD's mighty walls, or whatever, is romanticizing the whole situation a bit, as we are wont to do; Jerry Holkins said "It's not difficult to find truly exultant tales of piracy that brim with the zeal of true nautical adventure. It is as though downloading illicit ISOs is the only way a man can truly exert his will on the flexing, undulating evil of a corrupt universe."
  • Ratteler, on 06/04/2008, -1/+2Thank god being a scumbag sellout traitor against the will of the "We The People" still doesn't pay.
  • MikeMacMan, on 06/04/2008, -0/+4I wish Revision3 would go after MediaDefender in court. MediaDefender is about as ***** and illegal as a company can be in the USA.
  • BullioMarf, on 06/04/2008, -1/+3Good riddance.
    • bot001220, on 06/04/2008, -0/+1Absolutely. Media defender needs to be taught a lesson.
  • SilverBlade2k, on 06/04/2008, -0/+4Let MediaDefender die. They deserve it.
  • Travelsonic, on 06/04/2008, -3/+1What, may I ask, would you "snitch" on "us" for anyways?
  • Heem, on 06/04/2008, -0/+3Arr mateys, they be walkin' the plank.
  • mcrules, on 06/04/2008, -0/+1OK, I obviously must have missed something. WHY was mediadefender DDoS attacking Revision3? I take it they were advocating piracy rather than committing it?
  • RMoore08, on 06/04/2008, -0/+15DO WHAT YOU WANT CAUSE A PIRATE IS FREE!
  • 808ethan, on 06/04/2008, -0/+5They do all this illegal *****. Steal OUR rights, and then bitch about making less money??

    They shouldn't make ANY money. They should owe billions in fines and be in pound-you-in-the-ass federal prison!
    • thepretext, on 06/04/2008, -1/+2I'm laughing my ass off at the irony of pirates yelling about how MediaDefender engages in illegal activities.
      • 808ethan, on 06/06/2008, -0/+1Your right. Hitler made it legal to kill jews so we really shouldnt use 'legal' as a standard of 'good'.
  • DestroyFascism, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2Lots of people making money screwing around defending a cartel and distribution model that has been superseded. Its time that the big media in the world GREW UP and begin to realise they are fooked if they can't use the internet effectively to market their product to a wider audience. If you have not done so then you simply have no imagination! Wait, you haven't have you? Ahh the penny drops~
  • Sillywombat, on 06/04/2008, -0/+2There is also the problem that the companies havent seen a dime from MD.
    They have now figured out that the only way to see the money that MD sewed out of the public is to sue them in turn.
    So the record labels now know there is no ^point placing money in MD as they will not see a return in their investment. Plus the bad press. And your left with nothing but a bad business decission.
  • gotamd, on 06/04/2008, -0/+9Pirates aren't killing MediaDefender. MediaDefender is killing MediaDefender through their own stupid policies and practices.
  • Nighthawke, on 06/04/2008, -0/+1You have to keep in mind that Comcast has stopped using their product and has moved on to using other nasty techniques. Companies are avoiding traffic shaping because of the light that it places them in.
  • Erectile, on 06/04/2008, -0/+1Hopefully they have a few more troubles to worry about after their little swipe at Rev3.
  • george2gfm, on 06/04/2008, -0/+1I just wonder what it would take for people to start purchasing music again. Cheaper prices?
    • Nishnabotna, on 06/04/2008, -0/+1Decent music. I don't pirate music, but it's not because I wouldn't :p
  • thevirtuesofxen, on 06/04/2008, -0/+0In Soviet Russia, Denial services You!
  • NekroMachine, on 06/04/2008, -0/+0Hopefully The Captain Shall Go Down With His *****
  • sevenalive, on 06/05/2008, -0/+1int string[] ***** = {"the RIAA", "the MPAA", "the CRIA", "BREIN", "the BSA", "MediaDefender, "the IFPI", "the DMCA", "the BPI"}
    for(int x =0; x < *****.Length; x++)
    {
    Console.Write("***** " + *****[x]);
    }
  • kualla, on 06/05/2008, -0/+1Revision3 with help from others, maybe the ACLU could deliver the final blow to end MediaDefender... Even if Revision3 brings MediaDefender to court it would badly hurt them for lawyer costs. I know Revision3 isn't all that big but with help from others it could be possible!!!
  • ilgaz, on 06/06/2008, -0/+1Revision3 should have sued them at least for defending their advertisers/supporters rights.
    Go and take a TV station off the air, advertisers will sue you first for losses.
  •  

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