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


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  1. identicon
    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. :)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

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

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

    link to this | view in thread ]

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

    GREAT SITE! thanks!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    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

    link to this | view in thread ]

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

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

    Ha ha ha ha ha - me too :)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    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

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. icon
    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*

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. identicon
    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/

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

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

    They have.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. identicon
    cindy, 9 May 2008 @ 6:08pm

    another website

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

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. identicon
    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!

    link to this | view in thread ]

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

    http://bulkapps.info

    Crack History

    link to this | view in thread ]


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