MPAA Decides Pullmylink.com Doesn't Have Enough Publicity

from the definition-of-insanity dept

Fri, Apr 18th 2008 7:35am — Mike Masnick

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.

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Filed Under: copyright, lawsuits, link sites, mpaa, publicity
Companies: mpaa, pullmylink.com

19 Comments

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Neverhood, 18 Apr 2008 @ 8:00am

No such thing as a 'crack down on piracy'
I just went to pullmylink.com and clicked a couple of their ads. :)
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- Haywood, 18 Apr 2008 @ 8:50am
  
  Re: No such thing as a 'crack down on piracy' +1
  Me too. Hope it helped with their click through #s
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 Apr 2008 @ 8:53am
  
  Re: No such thing as a 'crack down on piracy'
  Ha ha ha ha ha - me too :)
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MPAA Business Strategist, 18 Apr 2008 @ 8:08am

Satire
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.
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 Apr 2008 @ 9:16am
  
  Re: Satire
  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.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Apr 2008 @ 8:15am

Now I know how to succeed on the internet, get sued! LOL Free Advertising! WoOt!
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Apr 2008 @ 8:15am

GREAT SITE! thanks!
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eric102271, 18 Apr 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
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- matt, 18 Apr 2008 @ 9:40am
  
  Re:
  What do you expect? All MPAA does is hire police. Go take a look at IFPI being hired by MPAA. Whups.
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- BTR1701, 19 Apr 2008 @ 6:25am
  
  Re: Try this
  > 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/
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 18 Apr 2008 @ 9:54am

Mike, you're right
"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*
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FUD Buster, 18 Apr 2008 @ 10:38am

Is TechDirt Dense?
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.
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another mike, 18 Apr 2008 @ 11:53am

free stress test
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.
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PaulT (profile), 19 Apr 2008 @ 6:02am

Alternatives?
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.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2008 @ 4:37pm

GoDaddy
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.
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tom, 20 Apr 2008 @ 8:24pm

They have.
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cindy, 9 May 2008 @ 6:08pm

another website
does anyone know where else i can go watch my movies online for free.... :)
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- ML, 15 May 2008 @ 10:37am
  
  Re: another website
  I know of a place, but then I'm afraid it'll get found out and shut down!
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New site, 30 Apr 2009 @ 9:33am

http://bulkapps.info
Crack History
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