Voltage v. Comcast
Voltage v. Comcast
Plaintiffs,
v.
Defendant.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1
NATURE OF THE ACTION ......................................................................................................... 2
PARTIES ........................................................................................................................................ 2
JURISDICTION AND VENUE ..................................................................................................... 4
FACTS ............................................................................................................................................ 5
A. Plaintiffs own the copyrights to the motion pictures. ......................................................... 5
B. Third parties directly infringed Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works using Comcast’s
internet services. ................................................................................................................. 9
1. The BitTorrent process. ............................................................................................... 9
2. Torrent files and torrent sites. ...................................................................................... 9
3. Comcast users reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed, and publicly
performed Plaintiffs’ Works using BitTorrent. ......................................................... 10
C. Comcast knowingly materially contributed to its users’ copyright infringements. .......... 12
1. Comcast knew, had reason to know, or was willfully blind to, its users’ direct
infringements of Plaintiffs’ Works. ........................................................................... 12
2. Despite knowledge of specific infringements, Comcast continued to provide
infringing accounts with services essential to infringement. ..................................... 15
D. Comcast vicariously infringed Plaintiffs’ Works. ............................................................ 17
1. Comcast had the right and ability to supervise and control third parties’
infringements. ............................................................................................................ 17
2. Comcast profits from facilitating online piracy. ........................................................ 18
E. Comcast does not have a safe harbor from liability. ......................................................... 19
1. Comcast’s published DMCA policy. ......................................................................... 19
2. Comcast’s published policy did not provide for the termination of repeat
infringers under appropriate circumstances. .............................................................. 21
3. Comcast did not reasonably implement a policy that provided for the
termination of repeat infringers under appropriate circumstances. ........................... 22
F. Comcast users distributed copies of Plaintiffs’ Works with false or altered
copyright management information. ................................................................................. 22
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INTRODUCTION
1. Comcast is one of the largest internet service providers in the United States,
providing high-speed internet service to subscribers for a regular subscription fee. For years,
Comcast has knowingly allowed Comcast users to engage in online piracy, the illegal
distribution and downloading of copyrighted materials, including films. Comcast provides the IP
addresses used for piracy, makes the connections needed to share and download pirated films,
2. Comcast knows that it is facilitating mass online piracy. Copyright owners have
repeatedly told Comcast that its services are used for piracy. Voltage and its affiliates—the
producer of movies like Dallas Buyers Club and I Feel Pretty—have sent Comcast more than
three hundred thousand infringement notices. In the last few years alone, Comcast users have
3. Online piracy hurts the producers of creative works, as well as the nation’s
economy. The US Chamber of Commerce estimated that online piracy costs the US economy
4. Comcast can easily take action against online piracy. Comcast can stop providing
internet services to a customer at any time. It can stop providing internet services to customer
accounts that repeatedly use its services for piracy. And Comcast doesn’t have to find these
repeat offenders itself—copyright holders like Voltage already do that for Comcast, by sending
copyright infringement notices. But Comcast does not take this simple step.
5. That’s because online piracy is lucrative for Comcast. Comcast profits from
subscriptions to its internet services. Comcast’s churn rate—the rate at which it loses internet
subscribers—reached record lows in 2021. Instead of taking simple steps against illegal pirating,
Comcast turns a blind eye and continues to collect its customers’ subscription payments every
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month. By not terminating and continuing to accept monthly payments from pirate accounts,
Comcast earns an estimated $400 to $1,000 in additional profits per average pirate account,
which adds tens of millions of dollars to Comcast’s bottom line. Instead of taking simple steps
against illegal pirating, Comcast turns a blind eye and continues to collect its customers’
6. But the law does not allow Comcast to enable—and profit from—online piracy.
When an internet service provider like Comcast knows that its services are repeatedly used for
illegal piracy that it can easily stop and yet it continues to facilitate this piracy for its own gain,
the internet service provider is liable under federal law for the piracy. This action seeks to hold
7. This matter arises under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, as amended
sections 106 and 501 of the Copyright Act, and violations of Section 1202 of the Digital
PARTIES
9. Plaintiffs are owners of the motion pictures at issue in this litigation. Plaintiffs’
motion pictures are currently available for sale online and in brick-and-mortar retail locations.
These motion pictures include Dallas Buyers Club and I Feel Pretty. Many of these motion
pictures were released in theaters throughout the world and feature actors such as Matthew
McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner, Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, and Zac Efron.
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10. Plaintiff Voltage Pictures, LLC (“Voltage”) is a limited liability company formed
in California, with its principal place of business in Los Angeles, California. Each of the other
11. Plaintiff Voltage Holdings, LLC is a limited liability company formed in Nevada.
California.
13. Plaintiff After II Movie, LLC is a limited liability company formed in Nevada.
14. Plaintiff After We Fell Productions, LTD is a legal entity formed in the United
Kingdom.
15. Plaintiff Venice PI, LLC is a limited liability company formed in California.
17. Plaintiff Colossal Movie Productions, LLC is a limited liability company formed
in California.
18. Plaintiff Dallas Buyers Club, LLC is a limited liability company formed in Texas.
20. Plaintiff Wonder One, LLC is a limited liability company formed in Wyoming.
Kingdom.
22. Plaintiff Fun Mom Dinner, LLC is a limited liability company formed in
Delaware.
23. Plaintiff Chase Film Nevada LLC is a limited liability company formed in
Nevada.
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California.
26. Plaintiff SF Film, LLC is a limited liability company formed in New York.
Nevada.
29. Plaintiff Rep Productions Scandi Ltd is a legal entity formed in the United
Kingdom.
services in the United States. Comcast’s internet service is marketed under the Xfinity brand.
31. This is a civil action arising under the United States Copyright Act of 1976. 17
U.S.C. §§ 101, et seq. This Court therefore has subject matter jurisdiction over this action. 28
U.S.C. § 1338.
32. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant in this judicial district.
33. Venue is proper in this district under Section 1400 of the United States Code,
because Defendant or Defendant’s agents reside and may be found in this district. 28 U.S.C. §
1400(a).
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FACTS
34. Plaintiffs are the legal and/or beneficial owners of copyrights, including but not
limited to, the rights to reproduce, distribute, publicly display, publicly perform, and prepare
35. Plaintiff After Productions, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in
the motion picture After. The copyright registration numbers for this work include
36. Plaintiff After II Movie, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in the
motion picture After We Collided. The copyright registration numbers for this work include
37. Plaintiff After We Fell Productions, LTD is a beneficial and actual owner of
copyrights in the motion picture After We Fell. The copyright registration numbers for this work
38. Plaintiff Voltage Holdings, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in
the motion pictures Ava; A Family Man; Don Jon; Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile;
Fathers & Daughters; First Love; Good Kill; I Feel Pretty; I.T.; Lady Bloodfight; Pay the
Ghost; Revolt; Status Update; The Cobbler; The Professor and the Madman; The Company You
Keep; and The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman. The copyright registration numbers for
Ava include PA0002235557 and PAu003943693. The copyright registration numbers for A
registration numbers for Don Jon includes PA0001873185. The copyright registration numbers
for Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile include PAu003953148 and PAu003905674.
The copyright registration numbers for Fathers & Daughters include PAu003762811 and
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PAu003713364. The copyright registration numbers for First Love includes PAu004025698.
The copyright registration numbers for Good Kill include PAu003762377 and PAu003726363.
The copyright registration numbers for I Feel Pretty include PAu003896491 and
PAu003886973. The copyright registration numbers for I.T. includes PAu003801126. The
copyright registration numbers for Lady Bloodfight includes PA0002056253. The copyright
registration numbers for Pay the Ghost include PA0001957914 and TXu001920050. The
copyright registration numbers for Revolt include PA0002047480 and PAu003854989. The
copyright registration numbers for Status Update include PAu003867210 and PAu003850446.
The copyright registration numbers for The Cobbler include PAu003744688 and
PAu003742177. The copyright registration numbers for The Professor and the Madman include
PAu003920383 and PAu003919285. The copyright registration numbers for The Company You
Keep include PAu003660935 and PAu003578816. The copyright registration numbers for The
39. Plaintiff Venice PI, LLC and Plaintiff Voltage Holdings, LLC are beneficial and
actual owners of copyrights in the motion picture Once Upon a Time in Venice. The copyright
40. Plaintiff Bedeviled LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in the
motion picture Bedeviled. The copyright registration numbers for this work include
41. Plaintiff Colossal Movie Productions, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of
copyrights in the motion picture Colossal. The copyright registration numbers for this work
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42. Plaintiff Dallas Buyers Club, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights
in the motion picture Dallas Buyers Club. The copyright registration numbers for this work
includes PA0001873195.
43. Plaintiff YAR Productions, Inc. is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in
the motion picture Distorted. The copyright registration numbers for this work include
44. Plaintiff Wonder One, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in the
motion picture Disturbing the Peace. The copyright registration numbers for this work includes
PAu003991009.
copyrights in the motion picture Elizabeth Harvest. The copyright registration numbers for this
46. Plaintiff Fun Mom Dinner, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in
the motion picture Fun Mom Dinner. The copyright registration numbers for this work includes
PAu003846211.
47. Plaintiff Chase Film Nevada, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights
in the motion picture Last Seen Alive. The copyright registration numbers for this work includes
PAu004134886.
48. Plaintiff H Films, Inc. is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in the motion
picture Redemption Day. The copyright registration numbers for this work includes
PAu004000858.
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49. Plaintiff Ammo Entertainment, Inc. is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights
in the motion picture Room 203. The copyright registration numbers for this work includes
PAu004118373.
50. Plaintiff SF Film, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in the
motion picture Skin. The copyright registration numbers for this work includes PA0002173645.
51. Plaintiff MON, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights in the motion
pictures Singularity and Welcome Home. The copyright registration numbers for Singularity
includes PAu003848900. The copyright registration numbers for Welcome Home include
52. Plaintiff Goldenrod Holdings, LLC is a beneficial and actual owner of copyrights
in the motion picture Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman. The copyright registration numbers for
53. Plaintiff Rep Productions Scandi LTD is a beneficial and actual owner of
copyrights in the motion picture The Bird Catcher. The copyright registration numbers for this
54. Plaintiff Voltage Pictures, LLC is a beneficial owner of copyrights in the motion
picture The Rest of Us. The copyright registration numbers for this work includes
PA0002219567.
55. Plaintiff Voltage Pictures, LLC is also a beneficial owner in each of these motion
pictures.
56. Together, these motion pictures are referred to as the “Works.” The Works are the
subjects of copyright registrations, and this action is brought pursuant to Section 411 of the
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Copyright Act. 17 U.S.C. § 411. The Works are motion pictures currently offered for sale in
commerce.
57. Third parties using Comcast’s internet services (“Comcast users”) directly
infringed Plaintiffs’ rights in the Works. Comcast users engaged BitTorrent technology to
reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, and publicly display Plaintiffs’ Works without Plaintiffs’
permission.
59. BitTorrent is one of the most popular torrent protocols. BitTorrent joins
computers in a “swarm” of host computers that download and upload pieces of a file from each
other simultaneously. As soon as a user has downloaded a piece of the file, he or she starts
sharing that piece with others in the swarm, while continuing to download the rest of the file.
60. BitTorrent thus makes it much quicker for many people to share and download a
file, compared to the traditional method of directly downloading a whole file from one computer.
BitTorrent can be used to share any type of file, but many use it to share copyrighted films and
61. To download a film using BitTorrent technology, a user needs to obtain a torrent
file. A user can find and download a torrent file for pirating a particular movie from a torrent
site. A torrent site is a website that indexes and provides torrent files for download. Examples
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of torrent sites are RARBG, 1337x, The Pirate Bay, OxTorrent, and YTS. The United States
Trade Representative has listed YTS and RARBG as examples of online marketplaces that
62. The user then engages the torrent file with a BitTorrent client, a computer
program that implements the BitTorrent protocol. The BitTorrent client uses information
recorded in the torrent file to download a file constituting a digital version of a film, and to
distribute the film to other computers in the “swarm” described above. Once a user has
downloaded all pieces of the film, the BitTorrent client verifies the pieces and reassembles them
into a fully playable copy of the film. The user has the film on his or her computer, to keep and
use indefinitely.
63. Publicly-available records from the American Registry for Internet Numbers
(“ARIN”) identify the IP addresses allocated by Comcast. ARIN initially allocates IP addresses
addresses (“Comcast IP addresses”) can then be used to access the internet, and transfer and
receive files over the internet. Comcast is required to report the IP reallocation information to
ARIN. ARIN makes information about the reallocation of IP addresses publicly available on its
Whois service.
identify the IP addresses that were used to engage the BitTorrent protocol and pirate copies of
Plaintiffs’ Works.
networks for the presence of infringing transactions. Maverickeye extracted the resulting data
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from the investigation and isolated the transactions and IP addresses associated with the files
identified by their hash values. Maverickeye logged information including the IP addresses, the
hash values, and hit dates (access or use dates) that show that users of Comcast’s internet
services engaged BitTorrent to download and distribute copies of Plaintiffs’ Works. For each of
the Works, Maverickeye verified that a full file distributed and downloaded in this process
contained a digital copy of a motion picture that is identical (or alternatively, strikingly similar or
substantially similar) to one of Plaintiffs’ Works. Maverickeye verified that the IP addresses
66. Maverickeye’s findings show that Comcast users downloaded pirated copies of
Plaintiffs’ Works to their computers and then transmitted pieces of Plaintiffs’ Works to other
computers in a swarm using BitTorrent, so that other computers can download re-assembled and
fully-playable copies of Plaintiffs’ Works. These swarms included computers both within the
United States and outside of the United States. These transmissions are distributions of
67. These transmissions are also performances and displays of the Works to the
public. The transmissions are received by a significant number of other computers in the
BitTorrent swarm, and users at these other computers play the pirated motion pictures at separate
places and at separate times. These other users constitute members of the “public” because they
are outside of the normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances.
68. These acts also constitute reproducing Plaintiffs’ Works. When a Comcast user
finishes downloading all the pieces of a copied Work through the BitTorrent process, the
BitTorrent client reassembles the pieces into a full, playable copy of a Work on the user’s
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69. Maverickeye’s investigations show that Comcast users infringed Plaintiffs’ Works
in the manner described above hundreds of thousands of times in the past three years. Each
instance of infringement used internet services (including connection and transmission services)
70. For example, a Comcast user downloaded and distributed a copy of the Work I
Feel Pretty under the file name “I Feel Pretty (2018) [BluRay] [720p] [YTS.AM],” using
71. For example, a Comcast user downloaded and distributed a copy of the Work
1. Comcast knew, had reason to know, or was willfully blind to, its
users’ direct infringements of Plaintiffs’ Works.
72. Plaintiffs’ agents sent notices of infringement (“Notices”) for instances in which
addresses.
73. Each Notice included at least the name of the copyright owner, the title of the
Work, the name of infringing file, the IP address and port number where infringement was
confirmed, the date and time of infringement, and that the infringement used the BitTorrent
protocol.
74. The recipient email address for the Notices was the email address that Comcast
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75. The Notices gave Comcast knowledge of specific instances of third parties’
infringements of Plaintiffs’ Works using Comcast’s internet services. In the alternative, these
Notices gave Comcast reason to know of specific instances of infringements, or alerted Comcast
to the high probability that Comcast users infringed Plaintiffs’ Works, and Comcast deliberately
avoided confirming that fact. If Comcast had any doubt as to the truth of these infringement
notices, it could use the information contained in the Notices to investigate and verify the
infringements. For example, Comcast could have obtained the torrent file for downloading a
movie, using the infringing file name contained in the Notices, and opened the file in a
BitTorrent client to view information about the file, such as the infringing file’s unique hash
value. Comcast could use this unique hash value to confirm that the file contains a copy of one
of Plaintiffs’ Works. For example, Comcast could have obtained data packets of the traffic from
the IP addresses recorded in the Notices and verified that they contain copies of one of Plaintiffs’
Works.
76. Plaintiffs’ agents sent Comcast hundreds of thousands of Notices about specific
77. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 100,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie I Feel Pretty using Comcast internet services and Comcast IP
addresses.
78. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 10,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie Dallas Buyers Club using Comcast internet services and Comcast IP
addresses.
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79. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 16,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile using Comcast internet
80. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 50,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie Once Upon a Time in Venice using Comcast internet services and
Comcast IP addresses.
81. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 15,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie A Family Man using Comcast internet services and Comcast IP
addresses.
82. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 37,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie Ava using Comcast internet services and Comcast IP addresses.
83. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 9,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie After We Collided using Comcast internet services and Comcast IP
addresses.
84. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 11,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie The Professor and the Madman using Comcast internet services and
Comcast IP addresses.
85. For example, Plaintiffs’ agent sent over 12,000 Notices to Defendant concerning
infringement of the movie Status Update using Comcast internet services and Comcast IP
addresses.
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86. As alleged above, Comcast knew, had reason to know, or was willfully blind to,
copyright infringements using internet service and IP addresses provided by and controlled by
87. But Comcast did not take meaningful action to prevent ongoing infringements by
these Comcast users. Comcast failed to terminate the accounts associated with these IP
addresses or otherwise take any meaningful action in response to these Notices. Comcast often
failed to even forward the Notices to its internet service customers or otherwise inform them
88. Instead, Comcast continued to provide the internet access and services necessary
for users to commit further online piracy. Comcast continued to provide access to the internet
from the IP addresses that infringers used to pirate movies. Comcast also continued to transmit
copies of Plaintiffs’ Works to a user’s computer for infringing reproduction, infringing public
performance, and/or infringing public display when a user was downloading a Work. And
Comcast continued to transmit copies of Plaintiffs’ Works from a user’s computer to distribute
the Work, and for reproduction, public performance, and public display. The provision of these
internet services is an essential step in the third-party infringements, and substantially magnifies
pictures as well as Plaintiffs’ Works, and records notices of infringements sent to Comcast
regarding those infringements. Maverickeye’s records show that Comcast received hundreds of
notices about infringements at certain Comcast IP addresses. This evidence further shows that
Comcast does not terminate its internet services to repeat infringing accounts. And it shows that
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90. For example, Comcast failed to terminate the account of its subscriber at IP
address 76.116.226.92 even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at
this address. Comcast received at least 782 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address.
73.141.163.31 even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at this
address. Comcast received at least 626 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address.
92. Comcast failed to terminate the account of its subscriber at IP address 76.21.81.32
even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at this address. Comcast
received at least 609 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address. Each notice
71.230.104.47 even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at this
address. Comcast received at least 532 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address.
173.12.111.90 even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at this
address. Comcast received at least 515 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address.
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73.236.144.216 even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at this
address. Comcast received at least 434 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address.
50.232.154.190 even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at this
address. Comcast received at least 415 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address.
73.141.214.193 even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at this
address. Comcast received at least 400 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address.
73.203.247.81 even after Comcast received multiple notices of copyright infringement at this
address. Comcast received at least 373 notices of copyright infringement for this IP address.
1. Comcast had the right and ability to supervise and control third
parties’ infringements.
99. Comcast supervised and controlled the infringing activity of third parties because
it had the right and ability to terminate its internet services to a customer’s account at any time.
100. For example, Comcast terminates services to customers who fail to pay for
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101. Comcast also reserved the right to terminate internet services to customers at any
time for violating copyright law. Comcast published this statement: “We also reserve the right to
terminate our offerings at any time with or without notice for any affected user who we, in our
sole discretion, believe is infringing any copyright or other intellectual property rights.”
102. Comcast is also able to monitor its users’ accounts, including the usage,
transmissions, and content on those accounts. For example, Comcast’s internet service
customers must agree that Comcast and its suppliers “reserve the right at any time to monitor
bandwidth, usage, transmissions, and content in order to, among other things, operate the
Service; identify violations of this Policy; and/or protect the network, the Service and Comcast
users.”
activity at those accounts. And Comcast’s provision of internet services is an essential step in
users’ copyright infringements at Comcast accounts. But, as alleged above, Comcast did not
terminate internet services to known, infringing accounts. And Comcast continues to provide
infringement, rather than terminating such accounts, Comcast can continue to receive
subscription payments from those accounts. For example, Comcast currently offers internet
services in exchange for monthly payments, ranging from $39.99 per month to $120 per month.
If Comcast terminated the internet account of, or stopped providing internet services to, an
existing customer due to copyright infringements at their account, then Comcast could no longer
collect monthly payments from that customer. By not terminating the account, Comcast
continues to receive monthly payments from that account for years into the future. For example,
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if Comcast fails to terminate a pirate account, and that subscriber continues as a Comcast
subscriber for another 5 years at $120 per month, Comcast would earn an additional $7,200 in
revenue from that subscriber, most of which would be profits for Comcast.
105. The ability to use Comcast’s internet services for pirating is also a draw for
Comcast’s customers and potential customers. Comcast’s refusal or failure to take action against
known copyright infringement is a draw for customers to purchase Comcast’s internet services.
Comcast’s continued services to customers, after Comcast receives notice that they infringed
copyrights using Comcast’s service, is similarly a draw for customers to purchase Comcast’s
services. As alleged above, certain Comcast users continued to use Comcast’s services to
infringe copyrights, even after Comcast received hundreds of copyright infringement notices for
106. In 1988, Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which
provides protection or a “safe harbor” from liability for service providers. But the DMCA only
protects a service provider if the service provider “has adopted and reasonably implemented… a
policy that provides for the termination in appropriate circumstances of subscribers… who are
107. Comcast claims that it has such a policy, but in fact, at all relevant times, Comcast
had neither adopted nor reasonably implemented a policy that provides for the termination of
108. Comcast had a DMCA policy published on its website. This policy stated that
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provided to any user who is a repeat infringer of third-party copyright rights under our repeat
infringer policy.”
“We place accounts of customers for whom [it] receive[s] multiple DMCA
customer account will progress from one policy step to the next one.
“Actions that we may take under the DMCA Repeat Infringer Policy
In order to acknowledge these alerts, we may require the customer to log in to the
account or call our support team. We also reserve the right to suspend or
terminate, as well as apply other interim measures to, the Xfinity Internet service
alleged infringement even after we have sent repeat infringer alerts. In addition,
we may terminate in our sole discretion other Xfinity services provided to these
customers when we terminate the Xfinity Internet service under this policy.”
110. Comcast also published that it reserved “the right to move a customer account to
the next step of the policy upon receiving any number of DMCA notifications from content
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111. Comcast’s published policy did not provide for the termination of repeat
published policy, Comcast only counted the DMCA notifications regarding a customer account
in each month, rather than counting total DMCA notifications. Under this policy, Comcast did
not terminate an account that had a very high number of infringements over several months, but
not in any one month. And under its published policy, Comcast was not required to terminate
any customer accounts at all, no matter how many DMCA notifications from content owners it
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3. Comcast did not reasonably implement a policy that provided for the
termination of repeat infringers under appropriate circumstances.
112. Comcast did not implement a policy that provided for the termination of repeat
infringers under appropriate circumstances. For example, Comcast only counts infringements at
an account in each calendar month, rather than counting total infringements. For example, as
alleged above, Comcast has allowed hundreds of infringements to occur at certain accounts,
despite receiving at least as many notices of infringement regarding those accounts. Comcast
users have also reported receiving multiple infringement notices from Comcast without having
their accounts terminated. Comcast did not terminate an account even if the number of
113. Section 1202 of the DMCA prohibits the distribution of false copyright
U.S.C. § 1202(a). Section 1202 also prohibits a user’s distribution of altered copyright
works with altered copyright management information, if the user knows or has reason to know
that these acts would induce, facilitate, or enable copyright infringement. 17 U.S.C. § 1202(b).
114. As alleged above, Comcast users engaged BitTorrent technology to distribute and
download copies of Plaintiffs’ Works. The name of a file distributed and downloaded in this
with copies of a work, or performances or displays of a work, in digital form, including the title
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and other information identifying the work. But many of the distributed files include false or
altered copyright management information. Many of the file names also include information in a
format that is customary for pirating movies, such as the name or Uniform Resource Locater
(“URL”) of a torrent site, or a label indicating the method of copying the movie, such as
“BDRip” or “WEBRip.” For example, the file name of a pirated copy of Plaintiffs’ Work
RARBG.” This file name includes the title and release date identifying a copy of the Work After
We Collided. It also includes the name of the torrent site “RARBG.” And it includes a label
indicating the method by which the movie was copied, “WEBRip.” For example, the file name
of a pirated copy of Plaintiffs’ Work distributed through BitTorrent technology was “I Feel
Pretty (2018) [BluRay] [720p] [YTS.AM].” This file name includes the title and release date
identifying a copy of the Work I Feel Pretty. It also includes the name and URL of the torrent
site “YTS.AM.”
the copyright management information of a legitimate file of Plaintiffs’ Works does not contain
the name or URL of a torrent site, nor a label indicating the method of copying the movie file.
And such information does not convey information about the true author, producer, licensor, or
distributor of the Work. Instead, such information refers to the illegal pirating of the Work.
Therefore, the information is either false information about the legitimate, copyrighted Work, or
else an alteration of the copyright management information of the legitimate, copyrighted Work.
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2. Comcast users knew, had reason to know, or were willfully blind to the fact,
that the copyright management information was false or altered.
116. Comcast users knew, had reason to know, or were willfully blind to the fact, that
file names containing the name or URL of torrent sites, or a label indicating the method of
117. When users engaged in online piracy using BitTorrent, they knew that torrent
sites are used for pirating, and that the films obtained through this process are infringing copies.
These users are, by definition, online users obtaining films from internet sources. A search of
any of Plaintiffs’ Works in a search engine for sites that allow renting or buying a film would
produce sites such as on Amazon Prime Video, Apple iTunes, or Google Play, all of which post
prices for renting or buying the film. The users knew that obtaining a legal copy of a film
service such as Netflix). By contrast, obtaining a film using BitTorrent technology requires
actively looking for a torrent site with pirated movies, looking for and obtaining a torrent file to
pirate a particular movie, and engaging the torrent file with a BitTorrent client to download the
film for no payment. All of the infringing Comcast users obtained the films using torrent sites,
118. Many of the users had even registered an account with a torrent site, like YTS.
The YTS website operator maintained records of activity of registered YTS user accounts
created from Comcast IP addresses. The records include the email address of the registered user
account, the torrent files that the registered account downloaded, the IP address from which the
registered user accessed the YTS website, and the dates of download. These records show that
Comcast users downloaded torrent files for pirating Plaintiffs’ Works. For example, a Comcast
user registered an account with the YTS website from the Comcast IP address 68.38.96.156
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using the email address mmc*********gmail.com and, on March 25, 2019, downloaded the
119. As a result, these Comcast users knew, had reason to know, or were willfully
blind to the fact, that they were obtaining pirated copies of the films; that a torrent name or URL
like “RARBG” or “YTS.AM” is not the true title, author, producer, or licensed distributor of any
of the Works; that a legitimate copy of a Work is not copied or “ripped” from a streaming
service, as a label like “WEBRip” indicates; that such information refers to the illegal
reproduction and distributing of a Work, or generally to pirating; and therefore that a legitimate
file name of a Work does not include the name or URL of a torrent site, and does not include a
3. Comcast users knew, had reason to know, or were willfully blind to the fact,
that their acts would induce, facilitate, or enable copyright infringement.
120. As alleged above, these Comcast users knew that, by acquiring films from a
121. They knew that distributing the false or altered copyright management
information, and distributing or publicly performing copied Works with false or altered
copyright management information, would induce, facilitate, or enable further pirating. The
users knew, had reason to know, or were willfully blind to the fact, that the name or URL of a
torrent site would enhance awareness of a torrent site, or enhance the reputation of a torrent site;
that the URL of a torrent site may induce, facilitate, or enable further infringements by helping
other users to find and access the torrent site to pirate movies; that a label indicating the method
by which a movie was copied would facilitate further pirating, by assisting others in choosing a
particular torrent file for pirating. Accordingly, Comcast users knew, or had reasonable grounds
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to know, or were willfully blind to the fact, that their acts would induce, facilitate, or enable
copyright infringement.
information, and distributed and publicly performed copied Works with false or altered copyright
management information, in the manner alleged above, thousands and thousands of times.
123. For example, a Comcast user using Comcast internet services and the Comcast IP
address 67.169.16.53 downloaded and distributed copies of the Work I Feel Pretty with the file
124. “YTS.AM” is the name and URL of a torrent site. “YTS.AM” is not included in
the copyright management information of legitimate copies or streams of the Work I Feel Pretty.
125. For example, a Comcast user using Comcast internet services and the Comcast IP
address 67.180.168.148 downloaded and distributed copies of the Work After We Fell with the
126. “RARBG” is the name of a torrent site. “RARBG” is not included in the
copyright management information of legitimate copies or streams of the Work After We Fell.
127. Adding the names or URL of torrent sites like “YTS.AM” and “RARBG”
enhances the reputation of the torrent site, creates potential users’ awareness of the torrent site,
and attracts users to the torrent site. And labels indicating the method of copying, like
“WEBRip,” facilitate or induce pirating by informing a user of the type of movie copies that are
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1. Comcast knew, had reason to know, or was willfully blind to its users’
DMCA violations.
128. As alleged above, Plaintiffs’ agents sent Notices to Comcast, for instances in
addresses. These Notices included at least the name of the copyright owner, the title of the
Work, that the work was infringed using BitTorrent, the file name that includes the false or
altered copyright management information, the IP address and port number where infringement
129. The Notices gave Comcast knowledge of specific instances of third parties’
DMCA violations using Comcast’s internet services. In the alternative, the Notices gave
Comcast reason to know of specific instances of infringements, or alerted Comcast to the high
probability that Comcast users committed DMCA violations, and Comcast deliberately avoided
learning that fact. For example, the Notices showed that users pirated Plaintiffs’ Works with file
names containing the name or URL of a torrent site. For example, the Notices showed that users
pirated Works with file names containing a label indicating the method by which a movie was
copied, such as “WEBRip” or “BDRip.” If Comcast had any doubt that users had pirated Works
with such file names, then it could have easily investigated to verify that information. For
example, Comcast could have taken the steps alleged above to verify that third parties infringed
Plaintiffs’ Works from Comcast IP addresses. And Comcast could compare the infringing file
name recorded on the Notices with the copyright management information of a legitimate copy
of one of Plaintiffs’ copyrighted Works, such as in the copyright registration for the film, the
credits of the films, or in the file name of a legitimate Blu-ray disc copy of the film.
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130. Despite knowledge of specific and repeat DMCA violations, Comcast continued
provide access to internet services at IP addresses that committed DMCA violations. And
Comcast continued to provide the transmissions necessary for users to commit DMCA violations
while pirating Plaintiffs’ Works. The provision of internet services is an essential step in users’
DMCA violations while pirating movies. And the provision of internet services substantially
magnifies users’ DMCA violations while pirating movies. As discussed, Comcast received
these infringements used file names containing the name or URL of a torrent site, or a label
1. Comcast had the right and ability to supervise and control third
parties’ DMCA violations.
131. As alleged above, Comcast can terminate its internet services to a customer’s
account at any time. Termination of internet services to infringing accounts would stop DMCA
132. If Comcast continues to provide internet services to customer accounts used for
repeat DMCA violations while pirating movies, then Comcast can continue to receive
133. As alleged above, Comcast offers internet services in exchange for monthly
payments. If Comcast terminated the internet account of, or stopped providing internet services
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to, an existing customer due to repeat DMCA violations at their account, then Comcast could no
134. The ability to use Comcast’s internet service for DMCA violations while pirating
is also a draw for Comcast’s customers and potential customers. Comcast’s refusal or failure to
take action against such violations are a draw for customers to purchase Comcast’s internet
135. Plaintiffs re-allege and incorporate by reference the allegations contained in each
136. Plaintiffs are the legal and/or beneficial copyright owners of the Works, including
the rights to reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, and prepare derivative
137. Third parties using Comcast’s internet services directly infringed Plaintiffs’
Works. Specifically, these users infringed Plaintiffs’ rights to reproduce, distribute, publicly
perform, and publicly display, the Works. Without Plaintiffs’ authorization, these users also
imported copies of Plaintiffs’ Works into the United States, exported copies of Plaintiffs’ Works
to outside of the United States, and imported copies of Plaintiffs’ Works that have been acquired
outside the United States, in violation of Section 602. 17 U.S.C. § 602(a)(1) and (2).
demonstrated above, Defendant knew (or in the alternative had reason to know or was willfully
blind to the fact) that third parties’ infringed Plaintiffs’ Works using Defendant’s internet
provide the internet access and services necessary for further infringement. Defendant also failed
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Plaintiffs to lose profits and in causing Defendant to earn additional profits. Defendant’s
contributory infringement was also a substantial factor in causing numerous violations of the
141. Plaintiffs re-allege and incorporate by reference the allegations contained in each
142. Plaintiffs are the legal and/or beneficial copyright owners of the Works, including
the rights to reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, and prepare derivative
143. Third parties using Comcast’s internet services directly infringed Plaintiffs’
Works. Specifically, these users infringed Plaintiffs’ rights to reproduce, distribute, publicly
demonstrated above, Defendant had the legal right and practical ability to supervise and control
the infringements.
145. And as demonstrated above, Defendant had a direct financial interest in the third-
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causing Plaintiffs to lose profits and in causing Defendant to earn additional profits. Defendant’s
contributory infringement was also a substantial factor in causing numerous violations of the
147. Plaintiffs re-allege and incorporate by reference the allegations contained in each
148. Third parties using Defendant’s internet services knowingly distributed false
copyright management information while pirating Plaintiffs’ Works. These third parties did so
performed Plaintiffs’ Works or copies of Plaintiffs Works knowing that copyright management
information had been altered without authority of the copyright owner or the law. These third
parties did so knowing, or having reasonable grounds to know, that their acts would induce,
150. These acts constitute violations of Section 1202 of the Digital Millennium
above, Defendant knew (or in the alternative had reason to know or was willfully blind to the
fact) that third parties were committing these violations using Defendant’s internet services.
Despite this knowledge, Defendant continued to facilitate the violations by providing internet
services to users at these accounts. Defendant also failed to take steps to minimize or prevent
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further violations. Defendant’s provision of internet services is an essential part of third parties’
DMCA violations.
causing Plaintiffs to lose profits and in causing Defendant to earn additional profits. Defendant’s
contributory violations were also a substantial factor in causing numerous violations of the
153. Plaintiffs re-allege and incorporate by reference the allegations contained in each
154. Third parties using Defendant’s internet services knowingly distributed false
copyright management information while pirating Plaintiffs’ Works. These third parties did so
performed Plaintiffs’ Works or copies of Plaintiffs Works knowing that copyright management
information had been altered without authority of the copyright owner or the law. These third
parties did so knowing, or having reasonable grounds to know, that their acts would induce,
156. These acts constitute violations of Section 1202 of the Digital Millennium
157. Defendant is vicariously liable for these DMCA violations. Defendant had the
legal right and practical ability to supervise and control the third parties’ DMCA violations.
158. And Defendant had a direct financial interest in third parties’ DMCA violations.
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causing Plaintiffs to lose profits and in causing Defendant to earn additional profits. Defendant’s
vicarious violations were also a substantial factor in causing numerous violations of the DMCA
(a) award Plaintiffs their actual damages from the copyright infringements
(b) award Plaintiffs their reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to 17
(c) award Plaintiffs their actual damages from violations of Section 1202(a)-
(d) order Defendant to adopt and reasonably implement a policy that provides
(e) order Defendant to block users from accessing notorious piracy websites
such as (a) YTS; (b) Piratebay; (c) Rarbg; and (d) 1337x on networks
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(f) grant the Plaintiffs any and all other and further relief that this Court
JURY DEMAND
Plaintiffs hereby demand a jury trial on all issues properly triable by jury.
s/ Jeremy E. Abay
- and -
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