Wednesday, February 2, 2011

3357...They Have Taken Down My Website

From the Van Sun less than four hours ago:


The internet domain names for popular video streaming websites ChannelSurfing.net and ATDHE.net have been seized by the Department of Homeland Security according to a notice on the front page of both sites.


But the unprecedented seizure doesn't appear to have worked as planned, as one of the sites popped up again on an alternate URL within hours of being shut down.


ChannelSurfing and ATDHE have become central online hubs for people looking to watch TV shows and sports events that they don't have access to, either due to geological issues or a desire not to pay for the product. Firstrow.net and Ilemi.com are also part of the seizure warrant.


UFC mixed martial arts events, WWE wrestling cards, NBA games and NFL football have been cited as some of the properties being infringed upon by regular users. International soccer, rugby and cricket are also popular, as well as pay-per-view and premium cable movies.


The closure of the sites comes on the back of a broad sweep of up to ten websites dedicated to streaming content online without the agreement of legitimate sources.


U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were believed to be executing warrants after a federal order was unsealed Wednesday that order internet domain registrars to disable the sites in question.


The actions are intended to stop people form being able to use the sites and halt what federal authorities are calling the illegal actions of the owners while they pursue the identities of the site maintainers.


Illegal streaming websites operate by giving users the ability to list TV content that they are offering for free - and often illegal - download, as well as serving as repositories for online TV watchers to find pay-per-view sports and movies for free viewing. The site owners make money from advertising served alongside the streams.


This is a new tactic in the war against copyright infringement, as law enforcement officials and layers have long been hampered by the fact that many illegal streaming sites are based outside the US. By disabling the domain names of the websites, users can't get to what they're looking for, which cuts off the revenue streams of the site.


A notice on the ATDHE.net site said it had been seized by homeland security, shortly before an official notice went up saying, in part, "This domain name has been seized by ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, Special Agent in Charge, New York Office, in accordance with a seizure warrant obtained by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York."


But within hours the site was back online at a slightly changed URL, serving international soccer streams and telling users "don't be alarmed, we will do our best to bring you back everything. Please use the links below to stream your live sports for now."


They used to scramble the codes for the cable decoders the week before the Super Bowl too.

Just being stronzos ICE is, stronzos.

Thankfully I figured out how to get the Syracuse [former number 3, lose 4 in a row and now number 17] versus UConn game.

BTW, I hear UConn isn't very popular in BC.

WFDS

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