YNOT – Since its launch in April, Free Speech Coalition’s Anti-Piracy Action Program spidering software has documented nearly 287 million views of 1,700 adult video clips freely available on “tube” sites, the adult industry trade association revealed Monday. The program sent takedown notices mandated by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to all of the infringing websites.To date, 18 adult production companies have employed APAP’s software to fingerprint more than 5,000 titles in order to track content and gather data from infringers.
“What an eye opener,” Adam & Eve President Bob Christian said about the data. “To see from a small test that over 13 million illegal, unauthorized viewings of just seven of our expensive, high-quality movies have occurred is staggering to us. This is important work going on.”
In addition to tracking content, delivering data reports to participants and issuing DMCA notices to infringing sites, APAP also offers producers an option to monetize their content on tube sites, employing redirection software similar to that used by YouTube and other legitimate tube sites. APAP organizers negotiate with tube site operators to take down illegal content and replace it with legal clips that lead viewers to a retail option.
“I’m really excited to be working on this project, because it is going to bring about a fundamental shift,” said attorney Gill Sperlein, who oversees the day-to-day operation of the APAP task force. “APAP provides a model for tube sites to go legitimate and for content owners to start getting their fair share.”
Alongside his work with APAP, Sperlein heads his own firm, San Francisco-based Sperlein Law, and serves as in-house counsel for gay adult studio Titan Media. He is considered among the leading adult industry attorneys in copyright infringement litigation. Titan Media recently received a $1.35-million judgment against tube site operators Antelope Media LLC.
APAP also offers free pre-litigation counseling to assist producers who are considering legal action against infringers. Organizers help producers to form litigation groups that can file suit against infringers en masse. Data reports compiled by APAP can be used as evidence of infringement in the event of a lawsuit, Sperlein said.
Participants also receive an FSC-branded APAP logo to use on DVD packaging and display on their websites. The logo indicates the participant’s content has been fingerprinted for tracking through the program.
APAP is available to FSC members for a set-up fee of $450 and low monthly charges based on the amount of content to be tracked.
For more information, contact FSC at (818) 348-9373 or email the coordinator.
