The Cinematographic Association of America, representing the main Hollywood studios, will proceed with 200 to 300 lawsuits against individuals who illegally market movie files over the networks peer-to-peer.
The main objective of the measure is to reach those responsible for the illegal distribution of films before they are made available on DVD, explains the international press, which presents disparate numbers in relation to the number of individuals to be prosecuted.
According to the same sources, those targeted may be required to pay $ 30,000 for each file sold and another $ 150,000 for each download done, if it looks at the whole film.
On the same day, the association announced new measures to combat piracy. In coordination with the video rental stores, an anti-piracy advertising campaign will be launched with the aim of alerting users to the phenomenon.
On the other hand, the association will make available via Internet software intended to help users identify the source of files collected via the Internet.
Dan Glickman, president of the association, explains the measures announced saying that «the future of the film industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it generates must be protected from this type of abuse through all legal means».
The record industry’s strategy now follows steps similar to those of the music industry represented by the RIAA, which since the beginning of its crusade against the illegal exchange of music files via the Internet has already advanced 10,000 cases.
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2004-10-01 – RIAA raises more than 5,000 lawsuits against swappers
2004-07-12 – Illegal copying of films on the Internet continues to increase
