UFC sues Justin.tv in latest development of Zuffa anti-piracy campaign
by Geno Mrosko on Jan 21, 2011 11:52 PM EST
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The Zuffa legal eagles are flying high again, this time swooping down and sinking their talons into the scurvy pirates at Justin.tv, a popular destination for live (and illegally broadcasted) UFC programming.
After company President Dana White vowed to make life miserable for the chiselers who stream illegal feeds of live pay-per-view events, UFC.com now brings word that the Zuffa legal team may have bagged their latest casualty in the war on pirates.
Argh!
Here are some of the gory details:
Zuffa, LLC ("Zuffa"), owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® ("UFC®") brand announced today that it filed a lawsuit against Justin.tv, Inc. ("Justin.tv") for copyright and trademark infringement in United States District Court for the District of Nevada arising from Justin.tv's repeated and ongoing failure to meaningfully address the rampant and illegal uploading of video of live Pay-Per-View UFC® events by members and users of the Justin.tv website. ... For example, on October 23, 2010, over 50,000 people watched live streaming feeds of the UFC 121 Pay-Per-View event. Indeed, third-party contractors hired and paid for by Zuffa, removed more than 200 infringing live streams of UFC 121 from the Justin.tv website. This piracy represents a significant loss of revenue to Zuffa and its mobile, online, cable and satellite distribution partners each year.
Apparently, Zuffa has tried to work with the popular streaming video website over the past couple of years to put a stop to infringing activities but they claim they've encountered only resistance. Not only that, they believe Justin.tv has been actively working against them.
"Zuffa has attempted to work on numerous occasions with Justin.tv over nearly a two-year period to encourage it to prevent or limit its infringing activities," Zuffa's Las Vegas attorney, Donald J. Campbell said. "Regrettably, Justin.tv has not only turned a blind eye to the massive online piracy occurring on its website, we believe it has actually induced its users to commit copyright infringement thus leaving Zuffa no alternative but to take this fight to the courts."
While I'm sure not many fans are losing sleep over the UFC's missing money, pirating pay-per-views is illegal. They may not be able to stop Internet piracy (many have tried and failed) but it's not unrealistic to think a few high profile cases involving the average Joe would at least help to deter future pirates.
The world's largest mixed martial arts promotion got to where they are today by being what they are -- business savvy with a ruthless streak for those that go up against them.
But is this a fight they can win?
Either way, consider yourselves warned! (Again)
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props to Justin.tv for keeping mma fans entertained, and resisting the corporate fist
by theworldismine on Jan 21, 2011 10:38 PM EST reply actions
Meh...
I don’t make a huge deal out of this stuff either way, but I understand the UFC protecting their product, and I don’t think any of these online piracy guys are “heros” or anything as well.
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
my favorite
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
About a year ago my mate watched a UFC stream on the internet
and since then he has bought a lot of UFC DVD’s. How many people do you think would pay for UFC if they completely shut down sites like this? 5-10%?
Anticipation has a habit to set you up for disappointment
Exactly ufcaddict.
Of those 50,000 streamers probably 49,000 are pimple faced teenagers that don’t have the coin to fork out $50-60 for PPV. I got into UFC by downloading torrents of fights. Soon after that I ordered 10 UFC DVD’s and now I pay $60 for every HD PPV. I wouldn’t waste my time watching a grainy low res feed. If anything those free feeds will get young people hooked that can’t afford to pay and when they get jobs and buy their HD big screens, they will want to watch the fights in HD, not some lousy free feed on the internet. There will always be a certain % of people that aren’t going to pay for things, so Dana isn’t losing anything from them. They aren’t paying $60 no matter how many people Dana sues. You would think Dana is smart enough to realize this.
Don't sleep on Jtv...oh wait...
Dominance of Georges St. Pierre Is in the Details
http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/14/dominance-of-georges-st-pierre-is-in-the-details/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter
Do you have a job?
If you dont love the Pittsburgh Steelers then kiss my ass..I like bacon...and Rashad Evans is a pussy...
#1 Quinton Rampage the Dragon Slayer Jackson fan for LIFE..FTW!!!
A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic."
The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his"
...
The UFC comes out ahead
Even with pirated streams.
I am the WAMMA Light Heavyweight Champion
by Reality_Jockey on Jan 21, 2011 10:44 PM EST reply actions
that makes it okay then
I’d love to see the comments from people like you if it was YOUR business people were stealing from. Fuck it, Best Buy makes a profit so who gives a shit if I steal a TV right? Go grab a game, it wont hurt them. Oh right….. you only steal when you think you are hidden behind a computer. To steal physical property is something different somehow right?
Nothing Ever Changes When Nothing Ever Changes
Glass houses
So you have paid for every single song you own? Doubt it.
by Budiswiser on Jan 22, 2011 11:46 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Stealing physical property is something different
I’m not condoning pirating UFC video but it is very different from stealing physical property and has some advantages for the UFC
It doesn’t cause a direct loss to the company. For example, if you were to steal a TV from best buy they lose whatever the cost of the TV was. UFC only loses "potential" revenue but they don’t experience a direct loss.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, I believe that some level of piracy is good for the UFC because they ultimately gain fans which may become paying customers in the future. Like any sport, you need to keep up with what’s going on in order to stay interested. If you could only afford to buy one PPV event a year, you probably would lose interest in the UFC. Imagine if you were a football fan and could only watch one game a year. After a few years of that, do you think you’d still be into football? Piracy allows people to become interested in the sport (as a newcomer, you might check out a free pirated stream but not pay $50 for the PPV) and to stay interested in the sport (a person without a lot of money can pay for some events, go out to the bar for some and stream the rest and therefore are retained as fans). In some cases, these fans will go on to earn higher incomes and then pay for PPVs, merchandise and live gates in the future.
The only thing that’s not clear about piracy is what level is optimal. If there is too much out there and if it is too convenient to get, some paying fans will start to get pissed and just stream pirated events. If there is too little, the UFC will likely lose fans which leads to a long term loss in revenue from PPVs and all the other associated merchandising and general interest in the sport.
by H.I. McDunnough on Jan 22, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
+10000 for having the ability to reason
People like jason are black & whiters – things either are or aren’t, there is no middle. You can kind of tell by the way he tried to equate streaming a fight to illegal immigration. lol-worthy.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
Im a huge hypocrite on this
I understand, and on principle agree that its wrong. I also don’t have a problem with any business going after the people that are “pirating” their product, but lest keep it in perspective
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
by Jrandolph on Jan 22, 2011 12:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Mythbuster
Where is the middle? To sit and try to talk about the benefit the UFC gets from people stealing is just stupid. And yes I compare it to immigration because it is a very simple point, which I made above. Someone wants something the havent earned, so instead of earning it they take it. That is as black and white as can be and really I think people defending it are all of the thieves just trying to convince themselves they aren’t thieves. If a murderer kills someone they feel deserved it, is it okay? I know its a totally different level but its the same principal. You can sit and argue all day about how you don’t hurt anyone by stealing but it is only you trying to reason with your conscience.
Nothing Ever Changes When Nothing Ever Changes
By the way
Im moving into your house. I dont really care if you dont like it, I cant afford my own. I will stay out of your way, I promise, so I wont effect you at all. In fact, I might do the dishes here and there so you should get a benefit! No, you dont get a choice, I know its your house but I cant afford one so Im taking what I want from you. But Im not stealing, again,if I wash the dishes you are gonna benefit, I would think you would be smart enough to know this and just let me stay, but regardless of what you want, as the owner, I am me and I want it so I deserve to take from you.
Nothing Ever Changes When Nothing Ever Changes
That's fine.
Just make sure when I play my legally purchased music that you cover your ears. Because if you listen to it without paying, you are an illegal immigrant.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
I don’t think it’s stupid to note the potential benefits of piracy as you have suggested. But if you don’t have an arguement against the proposed benefits then best thing to do is just say its “stupid” and move along.
Also, I think there’s a big distinction between “sitting and arguing all day about how you don’t hurt anyone by stealing” and the argument I made which suggests that the UFC does, in some ways, benefit from piracy. Remember how Mythbuster said you saw things in black and white? Do you see the irony of your rebuttal?
by H.I. McDunnough on Jan 23, 2011 12:08 AM EST up reply actions
JustinTV?? lolol
When was the last time Justintv had a decent UFC event streaming? They get pulled down almost immediately.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
I stopped even trying more than two years ago
And I would always get booted off during the main event, when everyone jumped on. I still use channelsurfing.net to catch the Heat games when I’m out of town, though.
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
This is very true, I have been on there in forever...same thing with channelsurfing
I have had a solid reliable stream for quite a while. Thank the MMA gods.
Dominance of Georges St. Pierre Is in the Details
http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/14/dominance-of-georges-st-pierre-is-in-the-details/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter
Well I hope this doesn't stop them.
Cause my days of paying for these events have been over. I bought a lot of events including UFC 78 and UFC 72, So I deserve free events for that.
What the hell is an "Ish"?
My wife did the math the other day...it aint good
I have spent close to $5000 just on PPVS, never mind what we spend when we go out to watch the fights. We could be starving, and somehow I always find a way to rationalize paying the dadgumm $54,95 (HD)
They have me
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
+5
Nothing Ever Changes When Nothing Ever Changes
lol
in fact, my company picnic is today, and I told my mma buddy not to worry cause I will be home in time for the fights. His response is that he is never worried because he knows I would take an arm off if it meant getting to the fight.
Nothing Ever Changes When Nothing Ever Changes
I will need a 12 step program at some point
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
by Jrandolph on Jan 22, 2011 12:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Just like when Napster was brought down many other sites and programs opened up.
Same will happen here. UFC v The Internet…Internet will always win.
Facebook is for gays!!
Justin tv only spreads the word
Anyone who has money will buy the card or go to to the bar. Only the broke ass motherfuckas use that shit to watch on there comp and there not buying it regardless.
Depends on event. Some events don’t really deserve my 50 bucks. It’s 50 either way at home on ppv or bar (drinks,cover)
by Budiswiser on Jan 22, 2011 11:51 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I would order them all at my house and watch them in HD but....
I cant afford to spend 54.99 per event, sometimes twice a month.
So i pick and choose a few events a year to buy and just stream the rest.
The Red Eye Jedi Holds a 7th Degree Black Belt In BongHitsu
do what everyone else does
get a group of buds go out to winghouse/ ale house and grab a little bite to eat we all split a drink and 50 wings cost you like 10-15 bucks you get to watch the whole event thats not a bad deal … i would never pay for the events and watch them at home …. so much better options on the town to catch the event …… and if you can’t watch the event read about it and then watch the fights on mma share the following day ….
True
The options for watching fights out, are getting better. I actually look for the places that charge something for entry, because it seems to help with the idiot factor.
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
I much rather watch at home then i can rewatch it if i want to
Also dont have to deal with a bunch of dumb ass ufc cocksuckers talking about how ultimate fighting is awesome….
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
by Khaos_Warrior on Jan 22, 2011 3:20 AM EST up reply actions
Almost forgot to mention all the rejects that dont know shit about mma(ufc fans)
Ever been to a bar and the fight hits the mat and they all start crying and moaning because they dont know shit about grappling like true retarded ass ufc fans…..the shits mad annoying makes me want to smash on some of them but usually dumb asses roll in packs.
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
by Khaos_Warrior on Jan 22, 2011 3:22 AM EST up reply actions
danago couldnt of said it better himself
"Your fucking out!!"- Kenny Powers
"MMM, sticky female bumholes"
That's your job to educate them.
IDGAF what anyone says, when I’m out I mute the volume. Forget Joe Rogan, I tell every chump at the bar that I’ll be taking this event, you got a problem? Get outside and I’ll flying gogoplata you.
Volume down, I call each fight. I’ll get some kid come up to me saying because he’s wearing tapout he knows more than me, straight slap to the face if you say that. Bitch slap, I’ll just make you my bitch.
by danago on Jan 22, 2011 7:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Wow – you’re such a purist mma fan, I can really tell. Next ime I’m watching an event can you come to my house so that I can suckle on your mma teat and have you tell me about how I am a sheep and should be following some shithouse organisation who can’t string 3 fights together without going bust?
Patronising bastard.
by Irish Chris on Jan 22, 2011 8:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
True enough Khaos
That’s why I won’t even mess with a joint that has no, cover charge. I only go out when I’m out of town, cause watching online sucks even worse. Humperdinks in Arlington, Tx is pretty good. They have a huge bar and a family room, that’s more like restaurant seating. Anyway, you’re point is correct, nonetheless
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
by Jrandolph on Jan 22, 2011 10:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn't be surprised if this hurts them in the long run
The people watching the illegal streams are probably just cheap bastards but I’m sure a lot just do it cause they can’t afford the PPV. So they go from fans that can’t afford it but following the sport to fans that can’t afford it and can’t follow the sport.
"Long shall we remember
He who walked the road of danger
Master of revenge
Death's no stranger
Blood and death lived on his sword
The god of war his only lord
Into the depths of hell
Go all he fell"
- Manowar hymn of the immortal warriors
by O damn he got caught on Jan 22, 2011 7:39 AM EST reply actions
The key is....
Call about 5-6 buddies to come over for the fights… have everyong chip in 5-10 bucks and then it costs you very little. I’ve even made money when people come over to watch the fights.
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