Spielberg Near Deal with Alleged Indian Video Pirate

If you read the Wall Street Journal this morning you could not have missed the front page story about Spielberg's impending deal to sell a large stake in DreamWorks to Reliance ADA Group. What you might not have known is that Reliance is also on the radar of Universal Pictures' Worldwide Anti-Piracy Operations group for allegedly pirating Hollywood content.

A couple years ago I got a call from Aaron Markham, a really nice guy that happened to be the Director of Internet Anti-Piracy for Universal Pictures' Worldwide Anti-Piracy Operations. He had the unfortunate task of sending out cease and desist letters to suspected video pirates. He was trying to find someone at Reliance that he could send one of these take-down notices to because they were selling pirated Universal Pictures content through their Reliance Communication division. Not hosting, mind you, but selling via a Unix-based video solution they had put together themselves, in-house.

Here's what his form letter looked like at the time (I don't know if he ever sent it out, maybe Steven can deliver it for him now):

Re: Unauthorized Use of Universal Motion Pictures
Notice ID: 1167830
3 Oct 2003 01:34:29 GMT

Universal City Studios Productions LLLP and its affiliated companies (collectively, "Universal") are the exclusive owners of copyrights in many motion pictures, including the motion pictures listed below.

It has come to our attention that [ISP NAME] is the service provider for the IP address listed below, from which unauthorized copying and distribution (downloading, uploading, file serving, file "swapping" or other similar activities) of Universal’s motion picture(s) listed below is taking place. We believe that the Internet access of the user engaging in this infringement is provided by [ISP NAME] or a downstream service provider who purchases this connectivity from [ISP NAME].

This unauthorized copying and distribution constitutes copyright infringement under applicable national laws and international treaties. Although various legal and equitable remedies may be available to Universal as a result of such infringement, Universal believes that the entire Internet community benefits when these matters are resolved cooperatively. We urge you to take immediate action to stop this infringing activity and inform us of the results of your actions. We appreciate your efforts toward this common goal.

Please be advised that this letter is not and is not intended to be a complete statement of the facts or law as they may pertain to this matter or of Universal’s positions, rights or remedies, legal or equitable, all of which are specifically reserved.

Very truly yours,

Internet Anti-Piracy Team,
Worldwide Anti-Piracy Operations
VIVENDI UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT.
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
tel. (818) 777-3111
fax (818) 866-6339
antipiracy@unistudios.com