Nexicon auto-generates DMCA notices to a suspected illegal file-sharer’s ISP which is then forwarded with an e-mail link for the “GetAmnesty” website.
Copyright holders have a new weapon at their disposal with word that Nexicon, a Malibu, CA-based anti-piracy services and technology company, has developed an automated copyright infringement identification and settlement system.
Set to debut perhaps as early as next week, the service will allow copyright holders to examine some 19.6 billion file transmissions from the likes of such P2P and file-sharing services as BitTorrent, eDonkey, Gnutella, Ares, KaZaA, and newsgroups each day.
How It Works
From the Nexicon website:
Nexicon monitors a variety of Internet protocols such as Ares, Limewire, Kazaa, BitTorrent, auctions and newsgroups, and tracks the identity of the computer that is illegally downloading different copyrighted files. Nexicon confirms that the files downloaded violate a copyright through its technology platforms’ artificial intelligence and Automated Human Visual Verification (AHVV) technology. Once the file is confirmed to be an illegally downloaded file, Nexicon sends a DMCA notice via email to the infringer’s ISP, who is legally required to forward the email to the infringer. After opening the email, the infringer clicks a link to visit GetAmnesty.com, where they can settle their infringement to avoid legal action and receive a legal release from the copyright owner.
Accused illegal file-sharers are allowed to settle the whole matter out of court without having to deal with pesky laws, lawyers, or judges. The settlement fee includes payment to the copyright holder as well as an administrative fee instantly payable by Visa, MasterCard, PayPal or electronic check.
For those unfamiliar with GetAmnesty, its site reads like an uncomfortable joke.
I’m sure loss of an Internet connection or the pain of a “bad conscience” has lured many a pirate to the site.
Interestingly enough, reports say that the settlement fee will only be enough to cover the retail price of the file and nothing more in an attempt to turn illegal file-sharers into paying customers.
“We’re not looking to break the bank and sue individuals. We understand that these folks are the fans of these musicians,” says Nexicon. “The content owners want to embrace the fans and want to connect with the fans. They just want to be compensated for the work that they have produced.”
In a slightly more eerie approach, Nexicon will also allow copyright holders the ability to contact pirates and let them know when an artist they illegally downloaded is playing a concert near them or releasing a new album.
I've been interested in P2P since the early, high-flying days of Napster and KaZaA. I believe that analog copyright laws are ill-suited to the digital age, and that art and culture shouldn't be subject to the whims of international entertainment industry conglomerates. Twitter | Google Plus
ejonesss has the goods here: the only way they could peek at your USNET traffic is to work with your ISP. That's not entirely out of the question; however it is more likely Nexicon just does the following: 1) monitor P2P file-sharing services and newsgroups for ip addresses 2) for each IP address found try downloading some media files from the computer at the address using each of the popular P2P protocols (the article mentions Ares Limewire Kazaa and BitTorrent) 3) if successful check whether any of the downloaded files are copyrighted. 4) If so send the user's isp a DMCA notice. This would be trivial to automate. Use PearGuardian.
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