DailyTech - Pirate Bay Commandeers Anti-Pirate Website

Submit News

Internet Pirate Bay Commandeers Anti-Pirate Website
Jason Mick (Blog) - October 15, 2007 10:08 AM

43 comment(s) - last by mars777.. on Oct 16 at 5:36 AM

Arghhh...torrent tracker Pirate Bay scores a victory on the internet high seas.

The Pirate Bay, the world's largest torrent tracker has taken up a surprising new residence. The site, which hosts over 630,000 torrents, moved aboard the domain ifpi.com, which formerly belonged to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

While many may be unfamiliar with the IFPI, its work is familiar to many. The IFPI is the parent organization of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

The IFPI has been a champion of lawsuits against internet pirates, increasing the scope of copyright laws and developing DRM technologies to stop users from copying their songs or media. Its actions have been mirrored by its lower level affiliates such as the RIAA.

Thus, the Pirate Bay's acquisition of the ihpi.com domain is seen by many as a major coup. When users go to the site, they are redirected to a Pirate Bay site that bears the text "International Federation of Pirate Interests". The IFPI is not happy with the move.

The domain WHOIS shows that the domain is indeed officially registered to Brokep, a Pirate Bay administrator and is not a hack.

Brokep was contacted and quoted as saying, "International Federation of Pirate Interests (IFPI) is the new international federation we’re starting in order to get the word of piracy spread. [The domain] is not a hack. Someone just gave us the domain name. We have no idea how they got it, but it's ours and we're keeping it."

The IFPI attempts to take legal action against the Pirate Bay seem to be floundering. A leaked email between the IFPI and one of their lawyers revealed that they were requesting information from the Swedish police, who have a long-standing investigation of the Pirate Bay. The Swedish police, according to preliminary reports, have rejected their request.

The IHPI hosts a broad array of television, music, and software torrents.

The internet piracy battle continues as the IFPI and torrent hosters such as Pirate Bay trade volleys, but for now the Pirate Bay seems to have won a handsome treasure.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

Yar....

By FITCamaro on 10/15/2007 10:37:14 AM , Rating: 5

I'm not one who advocates piracy, but thats funny.

RE: Yar....

By FITCamaro on 10/15/2007 10:38:40 AM , Rating: 5

And you should change the picture to that of the Sea Captain from the Simpsons. :)

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 10/15/2007 10:41:56 AM , Rating: 5

At your service ;)

Parent

RE: Yar....

By FITCamaro on 10/15/2007 12:21:16 PM , Rating: 2

WOOT!

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Homerboy on 10/15/2007 12:42:45 PM , Rating: 4

He's not a pirate though. Just a Captain.

Parent

RE: Yar....

By FITCamaro on 10/15/2007 2:45:05 PM , Rating: 1

He's better. He's a Captain Pirate Ninja. The things Fox doesn't want you to know....

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Souka on 10/15/2007 4:16:31 PM , Rating: 2

This is like the Tobacco companies running "don't smoke" commericals...

funny

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Vertigo101 on 10/15/2007 4:56:18 PM , Rating: 5

As much as I think the Sea Captain is a great candidate (and a good listener), I think something more 'piratey' might be in order....

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6695/piratescov...

Parent

RE: Yar....

By FITCamaro on 10/15/2007 5:15:10 PM , Rating: 5

Yar the mast be at full sail.

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Tsuwamono on 10/15/2007 10:27:35 PM , Rating: 3

Yar.. my load be lost

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Omega215D on 10/15/2007 10:02:54 PM , Rating: 3

Yarr RLY?

http://www.orlyowl.com/upload/files/%ACYARR_RLY.gi...

Parent

RE: Yar....

By OblivionMage on 10/15/2007 6:33:02 PM , Rating: 2

It is scary that you don't seem to reply to things that much, but when someone asks you for something, you manage a minute and 56 second response time. Crazy.

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Rugar on 10/15/2007 10:41:04 AM , Rating: 2

Harr.....

It is funny, but you've got to hate it for the IT manager who forgot to renew the domain registration. DOH! Buh bye job!

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Mitch101 on 10/15/2007 11:33:57 AM , Rating: 5

YUP. In my development the developer failed to renew the .Com domain and I snagged it and it couldnt be better timing as the developer falsly advertised having amenities they couldnt offer and werent a part of the original submission to the township. He has since been trying to build other developments and they now refer to the site and wont let him build. I offer to take it down but only when the amenities advertised are put in. I also snag domains of other companies he puts in place to try and circumvent being associated with.

Parent

RE: Yar....

By DokGonzo on 10/15/2007 12:35:30 PM , Rating: 2

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life For Me... Yarrrrrr.

Parent

RE: Yar....

By tspinning on 10/15/2007 10:59:06 AM , Rating: 3

This makes me smile, a lot!

Parent

RE: Yar....

By BrownJohn on 10/15/2007 11:06:37 AM , Rating: 3

"Someone just gave us the domain name. We have no idea how they got it, but it's ours and we're keeping it."

haha.

Parent

RE: Yar....

By Polynikes on 10/15/2007 1:16:52 PM , Rating: 2

Gotta love the Swedes.

Now that's what I call "Sticking it to The Man." :D

Parent

Mad respect

By Rage187 on 10/15/2007 11:03:25 AM , Rating: 5

I love how the Swedish Police told them to get bent.

RE: Mad respect

By dflynchimp on 10/15/2007 12:54:20 PM , Rating: 2

word

Parent

RE: Mad respect

By NaughtyGeek on 10/15/2007 3:20:20 PM , Rating: 4

I find it ironic that we live in a country that is supposed to be a "beacon of freedom" yet we all know we would never get our police system to back us the way the Swedes have. I'll have to add Sweden to the list of possibilities when Bush declares martial law. lol

Parent

RE: Mad respect

By FITCamaro on 10/15/2007 4:08:34 PM , Rating: 4

It has nothing to do with differences of police systems. The Swedish police are telling them to f*** off because in Sweden, they haven't broken any laws. If they were breaking a law, the Swedish police would bust them.

And while I absolutely hate the RIAA, these guys aren't much better. Where the RIAA is vehemently trying to enforce its copyrights and take away the users rights, these guys act like everything should be free. That's not the way the world works. If everything was free, how many good games do you think would be out there? What is the point of working hard for something if people are just going to steal it? Do you work for free? Neither do I. We don't live in the perfect communist future of Star Trek (I love Star Trek but thats what it is, communism) where everyone gets what they need and people work together to live a happy life.

The Pirate Bay guys have no respect for any industry. Thus, I have no respect for them.

Parent

RE: Mad respect

By Christopher1 on 10/15/2007 4:13:48 PM , Rating: 1

They don't agree that everything should be free (that's me who says that!), they are saying that there should be a REASONABLE price on movies, music and games.

Secondly, if everything was free..... there would be quite a lot of good games out there because it would be the 'true game lords' as I call them, who would be making all the games in question.

True game developers do not make games solely or majorly to make money, they make them because they like making them and because they feel they can make a better game than someone else.

Parent

RE: Mad respect

By Alexvrb on 10/15/2007 6:59:39 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Secondly, if everything was free..... there would be quite a lot of good games out there because it would be the 'true game lords' as I call them, who would be making all the games in question.

Give me your drugs. You've obviously got some good shi--

Parent

RE: Mad respect

By mars777 on 10/16/2007 5:36:09 AM , Rating: 2

Well if Open Source can manage to make a good, secure and stable OS, why a simple game could not be done good?

Games wouldn't be pushed out in EA deadline fashion but would be GOOD instead.

So less but better.

(i'm not the OP but i share his thoughts)

Parent

RE: Mad respect

By dflynchimp on 10/15/2007 6:59:47 PM , Rating: 2

sorry to burst your bubble, but the "gain" in "no pain, no gain" has to be there. If developers weren't getting paid for what they did I think that gaming industry would actually collapse. The fallacy in your logic is off...

Parent

RE: Mad respect

By weskurtz0081 on 10/15/2007 7:13:23 PM , Rating: 2

It is pretty darn funny that they pulled that off though. These guys just never stop, it will probably eventually come back to haunt them though.

Parent

Can you saw pwnt

By Nik00117 on 10/15/2007 10:43:26 AM , Rating: 5

I got one word, its called OWNED!

Its one thing for priate bay to file crimial charges aganist media copanies for hacking.

Its quite another to garnish their website legally and own it :)

I gotta tell you that must be a royal pain in the ass. I could just imagine this being on the level of like a porn site takeing control of disney.com legally.

RE: Can you saw pwnt

By marvdmartian on 10/15/2007 10:59:28 AM , Rating: 1

Another good word would be:

ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(said with a pirate voice, of course!!) LOL

Parent

RE: Can you saw pwnt

By totallycool on 10/15/2007 11:09:01 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
I could just imagine this being on the level of like a porn site takeing control of disney.com legally.

Whitehouse.com anyone :P

Parent

RE: Can you saw pwnt

By murphyslabrat on 10/15/07, Rating: -1

RE: Can you saw pwnt

By lufoxe on 10/15/2007 11:20:59 AM , Rating: 2

I'd actually like to see that evidance. (It would just be great to show to a few disney fans I know.)

Parent

RE: Can you saw pwnt

By Misty Dingos on 10/15/2007 11:21:21 AM , Rating: 2

Not that I deny your claim but you have to admit that it is a bold statement. Your assertion that the Evil Rat Kingdom is predominantly supported by revenues from pornography will have to have some evidence to be taken with more than a grain of salt.

Parent

RE: Can you saw pwnt

By augiem on 10/15/2007 12:52:52 PM , Rating: 2

How about how the constant flow of new, fresh 12-14 year old girls caked in makeup like hookers they toss at the pulic every year? Ever watched the Disney channel? It's nothing but hottie-girl wants hottie-boy wants hottie-girl.

It's amazing how much money can be made from the sex drive.

:P

Parent

RE: Can you saw pwnt

By DFranch on 10/15/2007 12:12:19 PM , Rating: 4

I don't think I'm that interested in seeing Minnie Mouse naked. Or are you referring to the fact that Donald Duck does not wear pants?

Parent

RE: Can you saw pwnt

By FITCamaro on 10/15/07, Rating: -1

Domain for sale

By Spinke on 10/15/2007 10:54:20 AM , Rating: 2

ihpi.com gives me a page saying the domain is for sale..?

The domain name ihpi.com is for sale

Prices in the region of US$4625

RE: Domain for sale

By PrimarchLion on 10/15/2007 4:51:36 PM , Rating: 2

Should be IFPI, just some typos in the article I think.

Parent

Typo

By Spinke on 10/15/2007 10:56:01 AM , Rating: 2

Nevermind, it's a typo in the article. Should be www.ifpi.com

RE: Typo

By PrimarchLion on 10/15/2007 4:51:00 PM , Rating: 2

It seems to be IHPI in a few places but IFPI in others.

Parent

By JackBurton on 10/15/2007 12:50:04 PM , Rating: 2

LOL, those guys are great. :)

RE: PB

By Baked on 10/15/2007 1:10:02 PM , Rating: 2

Niiiiiiice.

Parent

ipfi

By OblivionMage on 10/15/2007 6:30:02 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Thus, the Pirate Bay's acquisition of the ihpi.com domain is seen by many as a major coup.

It is ifpi.com that Pirate Bay got. Great article and Pirate Bay ftw!

"Intel is investing heavily (think gazillions of dollars and bazillions of engineering man hours) in resources to create an Intel host controllers spec in order to speed time to market of the USB 3.0 technology." -- Intel blogger Nick Knupffer