Game of Thrones is one of the most current, popular television shows, based on the well-known novels and gracing televisions screens all over the world.
However, it appears that some viewers are watching the episodic series via torrent downloads of online streaming – both of which are illegal.
As a result, the show’s producer and owner: HBO has seriously stepped up its efforts to minimise the avenues through which Game of Thrones is available online, in a concerted effort to reduce the level of piracy of the television series.
Not only has HBO increased its efforts to pull down pirated footage, but response times are faster, and its language to internet providers has become more severe to warn them off of turning a blind eye to the illegal activity or even, in some rare cases, somewhat promoting it.
As part of its efforts, HBO has enlisted an antipiracy partner: IP-Echelon who specialise in intellectual property and the protection of such copyrighted and intellectual property works. As a result of this engagement, thousands of copyright warnings for alleged piracy of Game of Thrones have been despatched in the past few months.
Such notices to numerous internet service providers, contain the IP addresses for users suspected of sharing Game of Thrones episodes through various torrent downloading sites and facilities, in which members share their files for faster uploads through a file distribution system, meaning the torrent service is not the one hosting the files.
Such warning correspondence being sent out are forms of Letters Before Action, being a precursor to formal legal proceedings – stressing to those internet service provides that they should be taking proactive steps to prevent the ongoing illegal downloading activity.
The aforementioned correspondence has already taken effect, with HBO having seen a dramatic increase in the number of avenues through which Game of Thrones is available to be downloaded.
However, it appears that it is not just torrent sites being targeted. HBO is also fixing its gaze upon video providers like YouTube.
In one particular case, a man with a clear inside knowledge of Game of Thrones, has been releasing ‘spoiler’ videos , which merely reference upcoming Game of Thrones material, whilst not actually using any clips from the show.
HBO has recently been successful in getting such videos removed from YouTube for copyright infringement — such result posing a huge question about how far copyrights can be interpreted.
The actions of HBO demonstrate how increasingly important it is to protect the information and property posted online, to ensure that it is not subject to infringement or piracy.
If you or your business operates predominantly online and wishes to protect its property, intellectual property and copyright, we here at Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP can assist. Please contact our Corporate Commercial Department on 01245 584515 or [email protected]