Case 3:15-cv-00444-AC

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Carl D. Crowell, OSB No. 982049

email: [email protected]
CROWELL LAW
P.O. Box 923
Salem, OR 97308
(503) 581-1240
Of attorneys for plaintiff

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF OREGON
PORTLAND DIVISION
Case No.: 3:15-cv-00444
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, LLC,
Plaintiff,

COMPLAINT

v.

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

DOE-73.25.31.24,
Defendant.

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

COMPLAINT
Plaintiff Dallas Buyers Club, LLC (DBC), complains and alleges as follows:
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1.

This is a suit for copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. 101 et seq. (The Copyright

Act).
2.

This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a).

3.

Venue in this district is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(b) and 28 U.S.C. 1400(a)

as the defendant is believed to reside in this district.

COMPLAINT

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PARTIES
PLAINTIFF
4. Plaintiff DBC is Texas Limited Liability Company and the registered copyright holder of
Dallas Buyers Club, Registration No. PA 1-873-195, 2013.
5. Dallas Buyers Club is an acclaimed motion picture nominated for six Academy Awards
(Oscars).
6.

Under The Copyright Act, DBC is the proprietor of all copyrights, title, and related

interest in the motion picture.

7.

The motion picture contains wholly original material that is copyrightable subject matter

under the laws of the United States.

8.

The motion picture is currently offered for sale in commerce.

9.

Defendant had notice of plaintiff's rights through general publication and advertising and

more specifically as identified in the content of the motion picture, advertising associated with
the motion picture, and all packaging and copies, each of which bore a proper copyright notice.
10.

DBC comes to court seeking relief as the motion picture Dallas Buyers Club is being

actively distributed through the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file sharing system by hundreds of
thousands of confirmed infringing Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, many in Oregon, and DBC
is suffering notable, continuing and irreparable harm though piracy.
THE DEFENDANT
11.

The defendant identified herein as DOE-73.25.31.24 is currently known only by their

Internet Protocol (IP) Address 73.25.31.24 which on 2/23/15 at 07:21:30 AM UTC, was
observed through direct TCI/IP connection as infringing the motion picture.
12.

Through geolocation, the IP address used by the defendant has subsequently been traced

to the State of Oregon.

COMPLAINT

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13.

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Defendants IP address has been observed as associated with the peer-to-peer exchange

of a large number of copyrighted titles through the BitTorrent network.

14.

The volume and titles of the activity associated with defendants IP address indicates that

the defendant is likely either the primary subscriber of the IP address or someone who resides
with the subscriber, as such activity indicates the defendant is an authorized user of the IP
address with consistent and permissive access.
15.

The volume and titles of the activity associated with defendants IP address indicates that

the defendant is not a young child, but an adult with mature tastes.
16.

The defendants IP address was at that time of observed infringement managed by

Internet Service Provider (ISP) Comcast, who on information and belief, generally assigns an
IP address to a single party for extended periods of time, often for months and provides Wi-Fi
systems with notable pre-installed security and passwords making unauthorized access unlikely.
17.

The records maintained by Comcast should be able to identify either the defendant, or the

subscriber who contracted with Comcast for service who in turn is likely to have knowledge that
will lead to the identity of the defendant.
18.

Plaintiff intends to seek initial discovery to subpoena records from Comcast as a part of

the process to ascertain the true identity of the defendant.

BACKGROUND
PEER-TO-PEER INTERNET PIRACY
19.

As noted by Senator Levin in Congressional hearings on peer-to-peer Internet piracy, In

the world of copyright law, taking someones intellectual property is a serious offense,
punishable by large fines. In the real world, violations of copyright law over the Internet are so
widespread and easy to accomplish that many participants seem to consider it equivalent to
jaywalking illegal but no big deal. But it is a big deal. Under U.S. law, stealing intellectual
COMPLAINT

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property is just that stealing. It hurts artists, the music industry, the movie industry, and others
involved in creative work. And it is unfortunate that the software being used called file
sharing as if it were simply enabling friends to share recipes, is helping create a generation of
Americans who dont see the harm.
20.

In 2013, in recognition of the growing problems and challenges with counterfeiting and

piracy, The Oregon House of Representatives passed House Memorial 2, which made the
following findings:
Whereas the United States and other nations share the challenge of combating
intellectual piracy and the counterfeiting of intellectual property such as films and
technologies that affect the quality of life; and
Whereas intellectual piracy and counterfeiting have a significant impact on Oregon's
economy, and the economies of other states and of nations around the world, which
results in job and earnings losses, reduced tax revenues and increased threats to public
health and safety; and

Whereas protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights is crucial to the

future of our innovation-based economy; and
Whereas industries that use intellectual property extensively generate nearly $7.7
trillion in gross output and account for more than 60 percent of total exports from our
nation; and
Whereas industries that use intellectual property extensively employ more than 19
million Americans, whose salaries average about 60 percent higher than salaries in
industries that do not make extensive use of intellectual property; and
Whereas intellectual property infringement can undermine the nation's economic
security; and
Whereas violations of intellectual property rights, ambiguities in the law and a lack
of enforcement create uncertainty in the marketplace and in the legal system and
undermine consumer trust; and
Whereas intellectual property, including trademarks, [are] essential ; and

Whereas failing to adequately protect and enforce intellectual property rights will
increase counterfeiting and illicit trade;

21.

As such it is clear that giving effect to 17 U.S.C. 101 et seq. and ORS Chapter 647,

and the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and in particular the fight against

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counterfeiting and piracy are critical issues of importance to the both the United States of
America and the State of Oregon.
22.

Internet piracy, and in particular BitTorrent piracy, though known as peer-to-peer file

sharing, is often a for-profit business generating hundreds of millions annually in illegal revenue
off of stolen content such as plaintiffs motion picture through sales and advertising.
23.

To increase the value of the advertising and sometimes subscription access sold by

torrent sites, many parties work to expand the pool of available titles and speed of downloads
available by increasing the number of member peers and thus the desirability of their clients and
networks. To accomplish this they often reward participants who contribute by giving them
faster download speeds, greater access, or other benefits.
24.

Defendants participation in the BitTorrent exchange of plaintiffs motion picture is the

type of activity that torrent sites use to promote their business and likely directly furthered the
for-profit business of at least one torrent site.
25.

Many parties, and possibly defendant have been compensated to some degree for their

participation in expanding the availability of pirated content to others through BitTorrent

networks, including plaintiffs movie.
26.

The use of BitTorrent does more than cause harm through the simple theft of intellectual

property. The BitTorrent distribution of pirated files is a model of business that profits from
theft through sales and advertising and provides a system of rewards and compensation to the
participants, each of whom contribute to and further the enterprise.
27.

Based on activity observed associated with defendants IP address, defendant is a prolific

proponent of the BitTorrent distribution system advancing the BitTorrent economy of piracy.

COMPLAINT

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CLAIM FOR RELIEF

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
28.

Defendant, without the permission or consent of DBC, copied and distributed plaintiffs

motion picture through a public BitTorrent network.

29.

Defendants actions infringed DBCs exclusive rights under The Copyright Act.

30.

Defendants conduct has been willful, intentional, in disregard of and indifferent to

DBCs rights with the intent to deprive DBC of income and cause DBC harm.
31.

As a direct and proximate result of defendants conduct, DBCs exclusive rights under 17

U.S.C. 106 have been violated.

32.

DBC is entitled to damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 504 and attorney fees and costs

pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 505.

33.

The conduct of defendant is causing and, unless enjoined and restrained by this Court,

will continue to cause plaintiff great and irreparable injury.

34.

Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 502 and 503, DBC is entitled to injunctive relief prohibiting

defendant from further contributing to the infringement of DBC copyrights and ordering that
defendant destroy all copies of the motion picture made in violation of DBC rights.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, plaintiff prays for judgment against defendant as follows:
A.

For entry of permanent injunction enjoining defendant from directly, indirectly or

contributory infringing plaintiffs rights, including without limitation by using the
internet to reproduce or copy plaintiffs motion picture, to distribute plaintiffs
motion picture, or to make plaintiffs motion picture available for distribution to the
public, except pursuant to a lawful license or with the express authority of plaintiff,

COMPLAINT

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and further directing defendant to destroy all unauthorized copies of plaintiffs

motion picture;
B.

Statutory damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 504;

C.

For plaintiffs reasonable costs and attorney fees pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 505; and

D.

For such other and further relief as the Court deems proper.

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, plaintiff demands a trial by
jury.

DATED: March 18, 2015.

Respectfully submitted,
CROWELL LAW
/s/ Carl D. Crowell
Carl D. Crowell, OSB No. 982049
[email protected]
P.O. Box 923
Salem, Oregon 97308
503-581-1240
Of attorneys for the plaintiff

COMPLAINT

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