U.S. Judge Rules Torrent Search Sites Illegal

A U.S. Judge has ruled sites such as ISO Hunt that search torrent files are unlawful and no different from peer-to-peer piracy services, reports Wired.com.

The decision was the first of its kind in the United States. Targeted was Gary Fung, a Canadian who operates ISO Hunt and other torrent search engines. Fung argued that U.S. laws did not attach to him, and even if they did, that his websites were protected under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson ruled in favor of the MPAA stating that the “Defendants’ technology is nothing more than old wine in a new bottle.” Fung’s “intent to induce infringement is overwhelming and beyond reasonable dispute.”


The judge said ISO Hunt was no different than Napster and Grokster but used far superior technology which “obviously increases the potential for copyright infringement.”

Fung is considering an appeal to the ruling, “We do think from our preliminary review there are a number of issues for appeal,” said Ira Rothken, ISO Hunt's attorney.

A hearing on whether Fung must shut his sites or pay monetary damages is scheduled for Jan. 11 in Los Angeles.

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