UFC Copyright Infringing Website Seized by Dept. of Homeland Security

[Longtime fan]

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Alleged-UFC-Copyright-Infringing-Website-Seized-by-Dept-of-Homeland-Security-29899

On Tuesday federal prosecutors in New York combined forces with the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) agents to seize 10 websites that allegedly stream various sporting events, UFC pay-per-views included, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Among the websites shut down was one very familiar to the UFC. Last August, the UFC succeeded in obtaining a temporary restraining order to prevent the website HQ-Streams.com, from streaming a live webcast of UFC 118, which was held in Boston.

As previously reported by Sherdog.com, the UFC obtained a restraining order in the U.S. District Court of Nevada against the website allegedly owned by Johnny Tike. Prior to being seized, the HQ-Streams.com website boasted that it provided regular MMA and pro wrestling live event streams to its patrons. In stark contrast, now visitors to the website are greeted with the message “This domain name has been seized by ICE -- Homeland Security Investigations, Special Agent in Charge, New York Office, in accordance with a seizure warrant obtained by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.”

In seeking its temporary restraining order and permanent injunction last August, Zuffa alleged HQ-Streams.com webcasted, without its permission, UFC 113, held on May 8, and UFC 117 on Aug. 7 to viewers for either a $6.99 flat fee or under a $11.99 monthly subscription. Zuffa also alleged that the site infringed on its trademark rights by posting UFC marks, including advertisements for the UFC 118 event, as well as other marks “nearly identical” and/or “confusingly similar” to its own. In granting the restraining order, the judge required the website to remove said marks and advertisements. The website immediately posted the following message: “Too (sic) All Members Of The Forum, There won't be any UFC 118 stream here this Saturday. We don't want our site to get into troubles with Zuffa!”

Following entry of the TRO, in September 2010, Zuffa and alleged website owner Johnny Tike entered into a stipulated permanent injunction and dismissal. The parties stipulated that Tike had in fact posted Zuffa copyrighted material on the HQ-Streams website or permitted others to do so, and agreed that the website would be prohibited from sharing Zuffa’s copyrighted broadcasts in the future. Based on the joint stipulation of Zuffa and Tike, the judge entered an injunction to permanently prohibit the website from streaming Zuffa broadcasts. Because the legal remedy sought by Zuffa had been resolved through the stipulation, the judge dismissed the action at Zuffa’s request on Sept. 16, 2010.

Although HQ-Streams.com was permanently enjoined from streaming Zuffa’s content, the U.S. Attorney’s press release suggests the website may have still been used to promote distribution of unauthorized UFC pay-per-views and events broadcast by the NFL, NBA, NHL and WWE. “The websites seized yesterday were popular "linking" sites -- a type of website that provides access, or "links," to other websites where pirated sporting and Pay-Per-View events are hosted. Users simply click on a link to begin the process of downloading or streaming to their own computer an illegal broadcast of a sporting event from the third party website that is hosting the stream. Linking websites are popular because they allow users to quickly browse content and locate illegal streams that would otherwise be more difficult to find.”

According to the Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, “with the Super Bowl just days away, the seizures of these infringing websites reaffirm our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect copyrighted material and put the people who steal it out of business." Of course, Sherdog.com readers are aware that UFC 126 precedes any broadcast feed of the Super Bowl.

In a press release sent Wednesday evening, UFC President Dana White commented on the matter in an official statement:

“The very forceful actions taken by Mr. Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Mr. Morton, the Director of ICE, against these parasitic websites is very welcome news. The criminal theft of Pay-Per-View events has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars of revenue to not only the UFC and its fighters, but has also deprived federal, state and local government of their rightful entitlement to significant tax revenue.

“On behalf of the UFC and its fighters, I extend my sincerest thanks to Mr. Bharara, Mr. Morton, and the many Assistant United States Attorneys and Agents of Homeland Security Investigations who worked so tirelessly during the course of this intensive investigation.”

So let me get this straight ; The 9/11 terrorist attacks brought in the patriot act that is now used to tap into peoples phones unconstitutionally , and now this ? Homeland security is supposed to be defending the people from the so called terrorists instead they are protecting the rich's interest. Same thing goes for Obama , protecting the bankers wealth . WHat has the world come to?

I bet the fertittas have been invited to a builderberg meeting or two , and they definitely have friends in high places in the n.w.o pyramid/panzii scheme.

[CanadianAssault]

There scared of Terrorists watching USA sports.

[Brock Landers]

Wow, the Dept. of Homeland Security has a broad range of jurisdiction. Total fucking waste

[gumby]

zuffa has a lot of cash, so what they cry about automatically becomes more important than everyone else.

hence why ICE and homeland are doing shit for them.

[overhand right]

This had better never happen to the bigger and more archived sites like mma core or mmavideolinks

[FreeLeeMurray]

And if you wondered if the mafia and government were in business together... there's your proof. Seriously not one burning bag of dogshit or any other "terror attack" since 9/11. The Taliban and Al-Quada don't own planes, they load up this global threat in the back of 1987 Chevy pickups. You don't have to be a genius to figure out that shit doesn't add up.
There's videos from FOX News (you know the ones who love the military more) where they admit the Army is being used to grow heroin, apparently so that the Taliban doesn't get that money. Only the Taliban were the ones destroying the poppy fields in the first place, because it's against the Muslim faith to profit off of death.
Now the government has decided that the best way to protect us is to put a stop to minor copyright infringements on websites of billion dollar companies. Boy I'll tell ya, I sure feel a lot safer. Don't you?

[dcent]

so let me get this straight.

america bombs asian babys for a couple decades.

then america gets kicked in the nuts and is all of a sudden afraid of everything.

america invents another policing orgonization in hopes that it will make them less scared.

said orgonization ends up focusing their efforts on punishing americans.


I get it.
now THAT is actually pretty funny.

[Relakz]

lmfao you guys will complain about anything.

These websites were breaking the law and distributing copyrighted material unlawfully. WHy are you surprised it got shut down?

[FreeLeeMurray]

It's not that it was shut down. It's that it was shut down by Homeland Security, who are wiretapping and policing only people inside the U.S. already. Which is not in any way associated with security of a homeland. And this organization also is a private entity. They're only contracted by the government. They were brought in under the guise of protecting you, but are only taking your freedoms away. That's the problem. Not that a website got shut down.

[Longtime fan]

^^^
Thats not what bothers me , it has more to do with how Americans are losing their freedoms and constitutional rights daily. And over what ?


It's alot more serious and deep rooted than many might think.

[Buddha_Cat]

UFC puts on "Fights for the troops" and this is the aid they get from the american government.

[CJM]

our government is so fucked up i don't give a shit anymore. what after our own government plans terrorist attacks against our own country for profit, i'm supposed to be surprised that they pass laws that undermine the constitution?

as far as homeland security being involved in investigations of copy right infringement, good. less homeland security agents harassing innocent americans.

[FreeLeeMurray]

our government is so fucked up i don't give a shit anymore. what after our own government plans terrorist attacks against our own country for profit, i'm supposed to be surprised that they pass laws that undermine the constitution?

as far as homeland security being involved in investigations of copy right infringement, good. less homeland security agents harassing innocent americans.

I agree with almost all of this. I kind of believe they ARE harassing innocent americans.

[FreeLeeMurray]

You're walking a fine line. If you want to get sticky about it, all the highlight reels and tributes, and every we contribute to MMA OTHER than bitching on forums, is gone if they start chasing copyright infringements strictly. All the downloaded events etc. all fall under that copyright law. I don't think any of us are rich enough that we could buy the dvd's to every single pay per view we wanted to rewatch. I mean there's one thing about bars who don't pay for the licensing fees to broadcast it and profit off the event. But these are people who are not profiting, and sharing these events because of their love of the sport.

[Donowaman]

" the UFC and its fighters"

Lol, bullshit. Total payouts for every card are either around or UNDER 1 million dollars. This isn't effecting the fighters at all, only their "employer".

[Donowaman]

You're walking a fine line. If you want to get sticky about it, all the highlight reels and tributes, and every we contribute to MMA OTHER than bitching on forums, is gone if they start chasing copyright infringements strictly. All the downloaded events etc. all fall under that copyright law. I don't think any of us are rich enough that we could buy the dvd's to every single pay per view we wanted to rewatch. I mean there's one thing about bars who don't pay for the licensing fees to broadcast it and profit off the event. But these are people who are not profiting, and sharing these events because of their love of the sport.

HL's generally do not infringe upon any copyrights. The clips they show are far too short in length, and do not affect the companies ability to make money off of those fights.

[A JUICED PIG]

UFC puts on "Fights for the troops" and this is the aid they get from the american government.

This.

[FreeLeeMurray]

Strikeforce doesn't chase down streaming websites and they make way less money from their events. And that should tell you everything you need to know about the business end of the UFC.

[FreeLeeMurray]

You're walking a fine line. If you want to get sticky about it, all the highlight reels and tributes, and every we contribute to MMA OTHER than bitching on forums, is gone if they start chasing copyright infringements strictly. All the downloaded events etc. all fall under that copyright law. I don't think any of us are rich enough that we could buy the dvd's to every single pay per view we wanted to rewatch. I mean there's one thing about bars who don't pay for the licensing fees to broadcast it and profit off the event. But these are people who are not profiting, and sharing these events because of their love of the sport.

HL's generally do not infringe upon any copyrights. The clips they show are far too short in length, and do not affect the companies ability to make money off of those fights.

The footage used in those highlight reels is copyrighted footage. The way the law is right now makes no distinction in the length of the clips used. Those short clips can be used as promotional clips for upcoming fights, which it could be argued (and they have money so they'll win).

[overhand right]

UFC puts on "Fights for the troops" and this is the aid they get from the american government.

I do love a good conspiracy theory and this one is almost feasible