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Overhype

by Mike Masnick

Fri, Apr 18th 2008 7:35am




Filed Under:
copyright, lawsuits, link sites, mpaa, publicity

Companies:
mpaa, pullmylink.com


MPAA Decides Pullmylink.com Doesn't Have Enough Publicity

from the definition-of-insanity dept

The MPAA really is somewhat dense sometimes, isn't it? Despite the fact that every time it sues some website for linking to unauthorized content, that site ends up with a ton more traffic, the MPAA keeps on suing. These lawsuits don't slow the pace of unauthorized sharing one bit, but they do generate a ton of publicity for the activity the MPAA thinks it's "cracking down" on. The latest is Pullmylink.com. It's a site I've never heard of, but thanks to a brand new lawsuit from the MPAA, plenty of people are learning all about the site. Even worse, like some of its ilk, Pullmylink appears not to actually host any infringing content. It merely links to it -- which makes the claims of copyright infringement even more questionable. Surprisingly, even the Reuters report notes how questionable this is, quoting people pointing out that making linking illegal has all sorts of unintended consequences. In the meantime, the folks at Pullmylink should be happy. They're about to get a ton more traffic.

19 Comments | Leave a Comment..


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Reader Comments (rss)

(Flattened / Threaded)

  1.  

    No such thing as a 'crack down on piracy'

    identicon
    Neverhood, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 8:00am

    I just went to pullmylink.com and clicked a couple of their ads. :)

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  

    Satire

    identicon
    MPAA Business Strategist, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 8:08am

    This is our new revenue strategy. We create publicity by suing sites with potential (but not enough, yet) that "infringe" on our content, then let the masses spread the word. Mike, you've had it right all along; we shut down one, and it opens up 10 more for us to sue. And there's our brilliant business model. We have adapted Mike, contrary to your thoughts. We've adapted quite well.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 8:15am

    Now I know how to succeed on the internet, get sued! LOL Free Advertising! WoOt!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 8:15am

    GREAT SITE! thanks!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  

    Re: No such thing as a 'crack down on piracy' +1

    identicon
    Haywood, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 8:50am

    Me too. Hope it helped with their click through #s

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  

    Re: No such thing as a 'crack down on piracy'

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 8:53am

    Ha ha ha ha ha - me too :)

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  

    Re: Satire

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 9:16am

    That's actually not a half-bad idea. MPAA sets up an ad-funded "file-sharing" site, then *sues* the site to generate traffic... You'd have to jump through some hoops to make it non-obvious that you're suing yourself, and then find a way to funnel the money back, but... it could work.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  8.  
    identicon
    eric102271, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 9:19am

    Quite Funny, I shall click on a few of their ads when I get home. Stupid Corprate computers won't let me see it at work.
    LOL

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  9.  

    Re:

    identicon
    matt, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 9:40am

    What do you expect? All MPAA does is hire police. Go take a look at IFPI being hired by MPAA. Whups.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  10.  

    Mike, you're right

    icon
    Killer_Tofu (profile), Apr 18th, 2008 @ 9:54am

    "even the Reuters report notes how questionable this is,"
    That is surprising. Quite surprising. They displayed knowledge of how the internet works. *shock and awe*

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  11.  

    Is TechDirt Dense?

    identicon
    FUD Buster, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 10:38am

    This site is a promoting, marketing tool for Pirate video on the net. I wouldn't even be surprised if the pirates and they are coordinated.

    Legally.. copyright the DMCA etc is all screwed up.. and the only way it gets fixed is by court cases where rulings happen that define what is legal or not.

    Legal is the lowest standard to aspire too..
    This site is no different than driving the car for the bank robbers. They are increasing the use of pirate videos via the Internet and profiting from it.

    Legal or not..they had better hope they can make enough selling ads to pay for legal help.

    I don't know how the law will eventually work in this case..

    But they are using pirated media to create profits for themselves.. I think the MPAA has a case worth hearing.

    I do know this site is ethically just part of the "steal it because I can culture" that TechDirt sides with too often on the Internet.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  12.  

    free stress test

    identicon
    another mike, Apr 18th, 2008 @ 11:53am

    When you set up a new server and want to test its network load handling, leak a news story that the MPAA is trying to shut you down. If that doesn't get you enough traffic, put up links on fark, digg, and slashdot.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  13.  

    Alternatives?

    icon
    PaulT (profile), Apr 19th, 2008 @ 6:02am

    The most amusing thing about this, as well as the tv-links.co.uk case a few months back, is that they expose a hole in the market that the studios should be interested in exploiting.

    Namely, there are large numbers of people interested in a worldwide streaming service for movies and TV shows. They also apparently don't mind reduced quality streams or clickthrough ads.

    I swear, if as much time and money were poured into coming up with services the customer actually wants as is used fighting them, there would be no problem.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  14.  

    Re: Try this

    identicon
    BTR1701, Apr 19th, 2008 @ 6:25am

    > Stupid Corprate computers won't let me see it at work.

    Try this link. Works for me in getting around all the blocked sites where I work.

    http://www.easymyspace.us/

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  15.  

    GoDaddy

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Apr 20th, 2008 @ 4:37pm

    Their registration is through GoDaddy. Given the way GoDaddy likes to play SugarDaddy to the RIAA and MPAA, it shouldn't be too long before GoDaddy pulls Pullmylink.com's DNS link.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  16.  
    identicon
    tom, Apr 20th, 2008 @ 8:24pm

    They have.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  17.  

    another website

    identicon
    cindy, May 9th, 2008 @ 6:08pm

    does anyone know where else i can go watch my movies online for free.... :)

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  18.  

    Re: another website

    identicon
    ML, May 15th, 2008 @ 10:37am

    I know of a place, but then I'm afraid it'll get found out and shut down!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  19.  

    http://bulkapps.info

    identicon
    New site, Apr 30th, 2009 @ 9:33am

    Crack History

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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