Five operators of pirate streaming site Jetflicks convicted for illegally distributing more content than Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video combined
Five men have been found guilty of running the pirate streaming service Jetflicks , which illegally distributed more TV shows and movies than the combined total available on video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
Office of Public Affairs | Five Men Convicted for Operating Major Illegal Streaming Service | United States Department of Justice
Five Men Convicted of Operating Illegal Streaming Service Jetflicks
https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/five-men-convicted-jetflicks-illegal-streaming-service-1236044194/
'Jetflicks' is an illegal streaming service that uses torrent file search databases such as Pirate Bay and Torrentz to obtain illegally shared video content using automated programs and distribute it so that it can be viewed on browsers, smartphones, tablets, game consoles, smart TVs, etc. It is advertised that more than 183,200 pieces of content can be viewed for $9.99 (about 1,100 yen) per month, which exceeds the total amount of content distributed by services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. In 2019, the eight men and women who run Jetflicks were indicted by the US Department of Justice for copyright violations and conspiracy.
'Netflix-like pirated distribution site' distributes far more titles than the original Netflix - GIGAZINE
By Pixabay
Then in June 2024, a jury in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas convicted five men involved in running Jetflicks: Christopher Dallman, Douglas Cawthon, Felipe Garcia, Jared Haurecki, and Peter Huber.
According to court documents, Jetflicks is illegally distributing more content than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video combined, generating hundreds of millions of yen in revenue. The US Department of Justice, which indicted Jetflicks' operators, criticized them for 'causing significant harm to copyright owners of television programming.'
The five were convicted of copyright violations and conspiracy, while Dallman was also convicted of two counts of concealing money laundering and three counts of copyright infringement. According to the Department of Justice, Dallman faces a maximum sentence of 48 years in prison, while Coulson, Garcia, Haurecki and Huber each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Federal prosecutors say Jetflicks was on the brink of bankruptcy due to complaints from copyright holders and issues with payment service providers, and that the defendants 'attempted to pass off Jetflicks as an aviation entertainment company.'
On June 20, 2024, Principal Deputy Attorney General Nicole Argentieri of the Department of Justice issued a statement saying, 'The defendants operated an illegal streaming service, Jetflicks, to distribute hundreds of thousands of episodes of stolen television shows. Their scheme generated millions of dollars in illegal revenue while harming copyright owners. This guilty verdict underscores the Department of Justice's commitment to protecting intellectual property rights by prosecuting digital piracy schemes and bringing criminals to justice.'
Commenting on the verdict, Karin Temple, vice president and international general counsel of the Motion Picture Association of America, said, 'This is a landmark victory for intellectual property rights. The Motion Picture Association of America applauds the Department of Justice for prosecuting five individuals who illegally profited from copyright infringement.' 'The jury's guilty verdict highlights the nature of this type of crime and the significant harm caused to the creative industries and the tens of thousands of workers who earn their living in essential roles in our industry, including set designers, caterers, hair and makeup artists, photographers and more.'
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