Los Angeles - A federal judge in Los Angeles this week ordered a website that posts links to pirated films on third-party sites to pay $2.7 million in damages to studio members of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The ruling against Showstash.com follows a similar $1.3 million judgment issued on May 7 against Cinematube.net; the sites are also prohibited from engaging in any other activity that would infringe the studios' copyrights.

The studios sued ShowStash and Cinematube in July and September of 2007, respectively, and said that ShowStash was offering links to third-party sites hosting downloads of over a hundred movies and TV shows.

"Our goal is to stop this kind of blatant and illegal activity. These judgments indicate that the studios will not hesitate to vigorously pursue litigation against this type of site," said John G. Malcolm, EVP and director of worldwide anti-piracy for the MPAA.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/2a59f (PDF: MPAA statement)

http://www.p2pnet.net/story/15995