TorrentSpy to Appeal Loss in MPAA Email "Hack" Case

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 13, 2009 - 12:51pm.

Los Angeles - TorrentSpy, an index of files available for sharing on the BitTorrent peer-to-peer network that was shut down after a copyright infringement lawsuit from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), has filed an appeal of part of the case that involved the MPAA's hiring of a hacker to obtain emails from the company, TorrentFreak reported.

TorrentSpy owner Justin Bunnel alleged in the lawsuit that a former colleague was paid $15,000 by the MPAA in 2005 to hack into TorrentSpy's email servers and forward the company's email to the MPAA -- in violation of the Wiretap Act.

The court ruled that the MPAA's actions were not technically in violation of the Wiretap Act.

Digital civil liberties group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is assisting TorrentSpy in its appeal, arguing that the initial decision was a "dangerous attempt to circumvent privacy laws," according to TorrentFreak.

http://snipurl.com/ftym4 (DMW previous coverage)

http://snipurl.com/ftymx (DMW previous coverage)

http://www.eff.org/cases/columbia-pictures-industries-v-bunnell