Notice of DMCA received on TL...

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Sincerely,
Comcast Customer Security Assurance

Copyright work(s) identified in the notification of claimed infringement:

Title: The Adjustment Bureau
Infringement Source: BitTorrent
Initial Infringement Timestamp: 13 Jan 2012 04:11:02 GMT Recent Infringement Timestamp: 22 Jan 2012 23:31:17 GMT Infringing Filename: The.Adjustment.Bureau.2011.720p.BluRay.x264-SiNNERS
Infringing File size: 4758228610
Infringers IP Address: xxxxxxxxxx
Infringers DNS Name: xxxxxxxxxxcomcast.net
Bay ID:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Port ID: xxxxx

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Just a heads-up. This was received today regarding a file I have been seeding on TL.

Normally DMCA notice has tracker URL also.

I can't see tracker.torrentleech.org there. Lots of people downloading from public torrent sites and later blaming a private tracker.

Infringing File size: 4758228610

File size is not matching. I checked "The.Adjustment.Bureau.2011.720p.BluRay.x264-SiNNERS", TL release is different size, is not even close to 4758228610 (Filze size on TL is smaller).

You should keep log from where you are downloading ur stuff !!!

Looks like its from TL, file-size doesn't seem to be miles off or anything, maybe a MB or two off, and the file is still on there. Also, the file is still on there, with tons of snatches, so it would be a perfect target for this. Also, TL being a target/other members getting these notices in the past, it would not be a stretch that you could get dinged on a big-name movie there.

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Originally Posted by merwais

Normally DMCA notice has tracker URL also.

I can't see tracker.torrentleech.org there. Lots of people downloading from public torrent sites and later blaming a private tracker.

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If he has downloaded and seeded that torrent from and on TL only, there's no question here, I think.

This is known to happen, sharky made an article on his site and all. I blame the size of their userbase.

I use IP Filters to download from TL.
It's far from being foulproof, but I feel better with those on.

As soon as I received the notice, I shut down my client. I did not remove the torrent, as I was still seeding. I thought it best to check all of my torrents for similarities (often big-budget flops), and minimize my risk of receiving another notice.

For those who give Merwais any credibility :frusty:, here is a screen cap of my seeded TL file. It is the one I received the notice for...

http://i40.tinypic.com/24g7tzp.jpg

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Originally Posted by Cabalo

I use IP Filters to download from TL.
It's far from being foulproof, but I feel better with those on.

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Having IP Filter is always good but i saw many many users on TL and even GFT reported about DMCA Notice and later found he downloaded the torrent from demonoid or ThePirateBay.
And users were telling they downloaded only and only from that site and later found downloaded from Demonoid :P

I am not saying TL is 100% secure but they should not directly blame a Tracker, they should be 100% sure before writing this. This warning means alot for a private tracker.

@megabyteme, i am not saying you are lying, i saw lots of wrong reports that's why. I think you definitely received that warning from TL downloading... saying from ur Screenshot :)

And, just to show Merwais is always smarter before he makes a post (hint):

http://i39.tinypic.com/e7mo9l.jpg

Look at the one marked "GigaBytes", Merwais. You fumb duck...

^yeah, kinda did that on my own, not using that, just the 1024 rule, and a basic calculator :P
/in my original post I mean....

With the political games going on right now, it is best for everyone to keep a close eye on their sharing habits. Look at the news page here- things are getting ugly...

hahahah you found it :P

I used that damn page also and immediately removed my comment about size matching :cry:

Sorry about that.

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Originally Posted by merwais

hahahah you found it :P

I used that damn page also and immediately removed my comment about size matching :cry:

Sorry about that.

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Thanks for retracting your statement, Merwais. :console: :)

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

And, just to show Merwais is always smarter before he makes a post (hint):

http://i39.tinypic.com/e7mo9l.jpg

Look at the one marked "GigaBytes", Merwais. You fumb duck...

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He thought the movie was 4.7 billion GB long? :unsure:

maybe used 1000 as the base instead of 1024?

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

Quote:

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Sincerely,
Comcast Customer Security Assurance

Copyright work(s) identified in the notification of claimed infringement:

Title: The Adjustment Bureau
Infringement Source: BitTorrent
Initial Infringement Timestamp: 13 Jan 2012 04:11:02 GMT Recent Infringement Timestamp: 22 Jan 2012 23:31:17 GMT Infringing Filename: The.Adjustment.Bureau.2011.720p.BluRay.x264-SiNNERS
Infringing File size: 4758228610
Infringers IP Address: xxxxxxxxxx
Infringers DNS Name: xxxxxxxxxxcomcast.net
Bay ID:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Port ID: xxxxx

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Just a heads-up. This was received today regarding a file I have been seeding on TL.

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Since they stole the whole concept off of Fringe (and not the Phillip K. Dick story as alleged) I guess someone at Comcast have a sense of humour.

People on TL have been known to get DMCA letters quite often tbh.
Or at least they did....
This is the second one I hear of coming from TL this week,
I hadn't heard of anyone getting any in over a year prior to 2 this week.

So what happened as a result? Did you have to pay a fine or something?

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Originally Posted by tannersmith

So what happened as a result? Did you have to pay a fine or something?

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As it stands, I will ignore the warning. Responding in any way causes Concast to release customer details to the sharks. Unless the company pursues the issue further, all they have is an IP address on a Concast network. It is unlikely that anything will come of it, but there is potential for further issues down the road. These could range from a worst-case-scenario of lawsuit down to (if I received 2+(?)* more in the next 6(?)* months) getting my account closed for a year.

*I looked on Concast's DMCA policy page today, and could not find a specific number, nor time period (which makes for something that really should not be called a "POLICY"). I did come across some discussions, and it seemed to be around 3 notices before disconnect.

Lawsuits are rare- extortion schemes are FAR more common. Ignore as many, or ALL notices for as long as possible. And don't pay.

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

As it stands, I will ignore the warning. Responding in any way causes Concast to release customer details to the sharks. Unless the company pursues the issue further, all they have is an IP address on a Concast network.

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What about your downloading habits? These letters aren't a problem where I live, but if they were and I used mainly torrents, I'd probably consider getting new releases from a smaller tracker instead...

The aforementioned IP filter is not at all a bad idea either, and you can get a good one here. Fun game: load a public torrent of the latest blockbuster, watch the blocking log fly.

This reminds me, their sister porn site also has this problem.

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Originally Posted by anon

What about your downloading habits? These letters aren't a problem where I live, but if they were and I used mainly torrents, I'd probably consider getting new releases from a smaller tracker instead...

The aforementioned IP filter is not at all a bad idea either, and you can get a good one here. Fun game: load a public torrent of the latest blockbuster, watch the blocking log fly.

This reminds me, their sister porn site also has this problem.

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As always, great advice (Cabalo mentioned IP filtering, also), anon. I stopped my client immediately, and will start doing both. I'll grab television shows from TL, but refrain from grabbing readily-available movies from there. I will especially avoid the big-budget bombs- every DMCA notice I have received (3 over the years) has been just that. I'm almost certain studios are either using DL'ing as a scapegoat for losses, or are trying to cut losses through extortion schemes. It makes sense, doesn't it?

Thanks for that link, I will implement it ASAP. I will also cut off any seeds that are new movies that have been going for more than 4 days. The notice indicated that I had been seeding for (date X to date Y)- apparently, they go after people who are seeding for long periods- that seems to be the case with each notice I have received, also.

So, so far things for people (including myself) to implement to be "safer":

1. IP blocking software
2. Use smaller, private trackers instead of MEGA sites as much as possible
3. Avoid Big-Budget, Box-Office Bombs as they are DMCA notice magnets
4. Seed for 3-4 days, and cut off the torrent unless it is a small, private site with no indication of DMCA trouble.
5. Reduce the number of unnecessary seeding you are doing. Currently, I have over 100 files seeding- that's a lot more chances of getting a notice than say 10-15.

6. If you receive a notice, do nothing other than implement safe practices #'s 1-5 (above). Protesting the notice will only lead to your info being handed over to the MPAA/extortion-based lawyers involved.

I'll add more to this list if there are other good suggestions made. Thanks to everyone who has helped already!

*Updade 1- As always, use your best judgement. If a site has had no indication of problems, and there are requirements for seeding X days. Still be a good site member. Mainly, keep your seeding to a minimum- as in don't seed for 9+ days as I did on a MEGA site. Overseeding is just sticking your neck out too far, IMO.

There's a far easier way to be safe than the stated above.
Just move on to the newsgroups and use torrents if you ever need something very specific not found on the USP servers.

Or take a seedbox.

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Originally Posted by anigav

Or take a seedbox.

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... if you are willing to spend money aimlessly.

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Originally Posted by Cabalo

There's a far easier way to be safe than the stated above.
Just move on to the newsgroups and use torrents if you ever need something very specific not found on the USP servers.

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True. However, we are seeing all forms of file-sharing under attack. The suggestions are all basic, and don't involve much "work" beyond downloading the IP filter. They are just "smarter procedures" for those who do prefer BT.

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

As always, great advice (Cabalo mentioned IP filtering, also), anon. I stopped my client immediately, and will start doing both. I'll grab television shows from TL, but refrain from grabbing readily-available movies from there. I will especially avoid the big-budget bombs- every DMCA notice I have received (3 over the years) has been just that. I'm almost certain studios are either using DL'ing as a scapegoat for losses, or are trying to cut losses through extortion schemes. It makes sense, doesn't it?

Thanks for that link, I will implement it ASAP.

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Cams and workprints should probably be specially avoided. I recall there was drama with that X-Men leak back in 2009.

I'm surprised you were using no IP filter so far, as they're pretty mainstream. Remember to keep it updated, as new blocing-worthy IPs are found and formerly "bad" ones are reused for something else. The one I linked to is apparently updated once a day, but getting a new copy every 1-2 weeks should be okay.

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I will also cut off any seeds that are new movies that have been going for more than 4 days. The notice indicated that I had been seeding for (date X to date Y)- apparently, they go after people who are seeding for long periods- that seems to be the case with each notice I have received, also.

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Does your upload speed allow you to keep a good ratio on those torrents within such a short timeframe?

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So, so far things for people (including myself) to implement to be "safer":

*snip*

I'll add more to this list if there are other good suggestions made. Thanks to everyone who has helped already!

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I guess you can add using a VPN, but that should be evaluated on a per-case basis and with the money good services cost, you can probably just acquire a Usenet subscription as Cabalo rightly stated. (After reading your last post, made while I wrote this, suffice to say it's not a "basic" measure :P)

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Originally Posted by Cabalo

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Originally Posted by anigav

Or take a seedbox.

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... if you are willing to spend money aimlessly.

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Taking a modest seedbox for around $10 per month for a 200GB seedbox, imo is money well spent. No hassle - let it run 24/7, secured - all transfers to you are encrypted..

Will they notify TL to take the torrent down or are they just there to catch people?
Seems like a dumb question, but I remember Stardock contacting Demonoid when they found their products uploaded there and Demonoid removed them.

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Originally Posted by anon

Cams and workprints should probably be specially avoided. I recall there was drama with that X-Men leak back in 2009.

I'm surprised you were using no IP filter so far, as they're pretty mainstream. Remember to keep it updated, as new blocing-worthy IPs are found and formerly "bad" ones are reused for something else. The one I linked to is apparently updated once a day, but getting a new copy every 1-2 weeks should be okay.

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I will also cut off any seeds that are new movies that have been going for more than 4 days. The notice indicated that I had been seeding for (date X to date Y)- apparently, they go after people who are seeding for long periods- that seems to be the case with each notice I have received, also.

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Does your upload speed allow you to keep a good ratio on those torrents within such a short timeframe?

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So, so far things for people (including myself) to implement to be "safer":

*snip*

I'll add more to this list if there are other good suggestions made. Thanks to everyone who has helped already!

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I guess you can add using a VPN, but that should be evaluated on a per-case basis and with the money good services cost, you can probably just acquire a Usenet subscription as Cabalo rightly stated. (After reading your last post, made while I wrote this, suffice to say it's not a "basic" measure :P)

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The workprints do seem to piss them off LOTS. I remember (places plug for people to read the NEWS section here) not too long ago, the guy who first uploaded Wolverine got a year in prison. Shows what can happen to "the little guy" when corporations get angry...

As for the IP filter- I had one for a while, and even posted about it. I thought it was a good idea, but about half of the people who responded (some fairly well-known, reasonable members) kinda felt it unnecessary. After it crashed on me a couple of times, and made eMule impossible to connect, I stopped using it altogether. My mistake/laziness, I suppose. Now that I have received a warning, I find vigilance a bit more important.

My speed, and monthly bandwidth (250GB) allows me to keep decent ratios. If I don't quite pay back on one torrent, another usually covers me. Most sites tend to want 2-4 days as a courtesy. I doubt that would put anyone in "the danger zone" for a notice. I believe I had been seeding for 9-ish days, if I remember correctly. I recently started grabbing more 720p files (upgraded my HT room with a HD projector recently :w00t: ), and just kinda left that one running. Started watching/downloading it on one of my Ambien nights, and never got back to seeing it clear-headed. The impression I (vaguely) remember is that it is a shit movie...

I think by the time BT gets so ugly that people need VPN's, all internet freedom will have fallen, and we'll be paying each time we look at a copyrighted image. Hopefully, that day will be held off for as long as possible. Yet I fear it will someday happen...

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Originally Posted by username-

Will they notify TL to take the torrent down or are they just there to catch people?
Seems like a dumb question, but I remember Stardock contacting Demonoid when they found their products uploaded there and Demonoid removed them.

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I am not certain what kind of relationship/contact TL maintains with DMCA notices (I am not active at all in their forums, and only download there). I believe this campaign would be focused on catching people/IPs. These campaigns take different forms, as I briefly mentioned in a couple of my other posts here.

Avoid bigger websites like TL/IPT/RTT. Disable peer exchange and DHT.

Buy a new router, or spoof your router ID. I won't get into the details of security* but just go do it. You'll secure yourself against hundreds of exploits that were opened thanks to google.

When downloading always try to download a torrent from the uploader only, or from the guy by the highest sharing ratio, by blocking every other IP (this is a legal measure - if the uploader facilitated the download and the information collection, evidence collected against you is void under illegal collection of information**), if the torrent is new.

If pushed or bullied by a law firm, notify them of the ruling of US Judge Harold Baker in VPR Internationale v. Does 1-1017, and since they don't have more conclusive DHT information, their information is worthless.

That is all.

EDIT: Also consider investing in a VPN. It'll be the most secure decision you made in your pirating life. :)

* - Some exploits not only can give a home address through an IP, but can also get a computer's signature behind a router through exploits. These are all rendered useless for a router bought after google maps street view was made for your area. This might sound like a long shot, but you never know what information "the man" is keeping.

** - The basic argument is if an illegal method is used to obtain your IP, there's no reason the accusing party isn't selectively discerning. A counter case can be put forth that they provide files to a lot of IP's and apply filtering to incriminate people with historical possession of the IP address to finance the most revenue from a case. This argument will hold in court.

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Originally Posted by anon

I'm surprised you were using no IP filter so far, as they're pretty mainstream.

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I don't ever use one either. In fact I'm not even sure how to with rtorrent. Guess I should look into it though. But then again I pretty much only use bittorrent for music and usenet for everything else. Plus my TL account must have gotten disabled for inactivity(which it looks to be a good thing), so I'm not overly worried about it.

@ megabyteme thanks for the heads up. I don't really use the site enough to worry, but that torrent isn't exactly new.
I think I might just let my account die out. I was looking for something about a week ago with decent seeds and checked tl and ended up snatching 2 uploads not related.

I had gotten one of these letters in the past. They are good for scooping up cat vomit (or hairball) from a linoleum floor.

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

I had gotten one of these letters in the past. They are good for scooping up cat vomit (or hairball) from a linoleum floor.

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How about wooden floor? do they work?

I have tile and wood now, but no DMCA letters.

Dont some unscrupulous clients ignore the DHT for private torrents, so if someone uses that on a private torrent, and its a well known release, your IP can come up seeding to a public tracker, even though you are nowhere near that tracker on your end.

So it doesnt mean TL have been infiltrated, it could be someone using a cheat client which ignores DHT and its not an exclusive torrent (IE Scene release thats all over). which could also say why you didnt get a tracker name in the notice.

Maybe anon can fill us in better on that, but i believe that is a possibility.

Can the authorities also monitor private tracker data ?

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Originally Posted by Darth Rings

When downloading always try to download a torrent from the uploader only, or from the guy by the highest sharing ratio, by blocking every other IP

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Isn't that too cumbersome?

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Originally Posted by Funkin'

I don't ever use one either. In fact I'm not even sure how to with rtorrent. Guess I should look into it though. But then again I pretty much only use bittorrent for music and usenet for everything else. Plus my TL account must have gotten disabled for inactivity(which it looks to be a good thing), so I'm not overly worried about it.

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Apparently rTorrent has no built-in IP filter of its own. There's a patch available for version 0.8.9, however. Once again, letters are no problem where I live, but I've always used a filter and kept it updated. If certain IPs are known to be "bad", there's no sense in connecting to them, even if it carries no risk for me.

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Originally Posted by stoi

Dont some unscrupulous clients ignore the DHT for private torrents, so if someone uses that on a private torrent, and its a well known release, your IP can come up seeding to a public tracker, even though you are nowhere near that tracker on your end.

So it doesnt mean TL have been infiltrated, it could be someone using a cheat client which ignores DHT and its not an exclusive torrent (IE Scene release thats all over). which could also say why you didnt get a tracker name in the notice.

Maybe anon can fill us in better on that, but i believe that is a possibility.

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It's possible given a particular set of conditions. The info_hash must be the same, but if TL's .torrent file manages to sneak out of the tracker (happens), that's a given. Now, if I am using a proper client it'll ignore all DHT and PEX messages pertaining to a torrent marked as private, but that doesn't mean I'm invulnerable: if I'm A, and two other peers using a DHT-patched client are B and C, C can't get a DHT/PEX reply from me and begin leeching, but he can get my IP from B and then connect to me. BT is no secure protocol and doesn't do checking of any sort, so the right combination is enough to begin transferring. It's been done (although that case in particular was a less automated way). Can be exceptionally successful with seedbox IPs and ports that do not change.

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Originally Posted by absent_today

Can the authorities also monitor private tracker data ?

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No, trackers with member counts on the hundreds of thousands are completely secure. The feds don't have the time and social skills to snatch an invite, so they turn to The Pirate Bay instead. :yup:

Or.... Maybe megabyteme's ISP is keeping eye on him.You never know ;)

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Originally Posted by merwais

Or.... Maybe megabyteme's ISP is keeping eye on him.You never know ;)

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I'm sure I could think of 1024 reasons why Comcast doesn't give 2 shits about any of its customers.

yes of course... you would have to be an idiot to download any movie from TL... it's been known for a long time that site is infiltrated and being monitored.

if you want to download a movie use hdbits which has an exclusive userbase..... unlike TL which has what 300,000 users if not more. if it's not on hdbits then go to usenet where you know you won't be monitored.