Piracy battlefront pivots to cyberlockers

Hollywood has tried to seize the narrative in the battle against piracy by framing the issue as akin to stealing jobs or robbing a store. But as the latest iteration of content trafficking technology emerges, some say perhaps the better analogy is a pawn shop.Cyberlockers are fast becoming the file-sharing means of choice, providing piracy police with a greater reason to worry. These hosting services -- by which users upload content into a digital storage locker -- are relatively easier to access compared to BitTorrent sites because they don't require as much special software to do so. The bigger concern to the entertainment industry is their belief that the growth of cyberlockers has hinged not on a culture raised on getting content for free, but one that is out to make a buck. Some of the most popular services rely on subscription fees, but they also depend on web traffic, and to do that they pay users who upload and promote links to the most popular content. Such sites as Hotfile, Fileserve, MegaShares and RapidShare have had such incentive programs, although the latter dropped its rewards offer last year in the face of industry pressure.That comes as Hollywood and the major tech giants and retailers have paired up to support their own cloud-based locker service, UltraViolet, that launches this fall, and Disney's own Studio All Access service that stores digital copies of movies to play using any device with an Internet connection. Apple has its iCloud.What studios see in many non-Hollywood cyberlocker services are ventures that leech on their content -- as the most popular titles in cyberlockers tend to be movies that are still playing at multiplexes. In other words, if users can get their hands on a prized blockbuster illegally and upload it to a cyberlocker, they can get cash.In February, the major studios filed suit against one of the most popular cyberlockers, Hotfile, claiming that the hub committed copyright theft on a "massive scale" and that it profited "handsomely from encouraging and providing the means of massive copyright infringement." Later that month, acccording to TorrentFreak, Hotfile users started complaining on a wide scale that the company was deleting their accounts, while Hotfile said that it was undertaking a "more aggressive policy" toward users that are the subject of repeated complaints of copyright infringement. Hotfile argues that it is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's safe-harbor provisions, which shield sites from liability if they promptly remove infringing material in response to takedown notices. In legal filings it also says that the upload of copyrighted material has "little or no detrimental effect on the market for copyrighted work," and, moreover, it's a "fair use" of material.But the situation took a turn this summer. A federal judge in July dismissed studios' claims that Hotfile engaged in direct infringement, but is still allowing claims of "secondary" infringement to proceed. Even more interesting than those legal developments is the way that Hotfile is pushing back.The company is seeking records of the studios' own anti-piracy tactics, the means by which they monitor and identify infringing material with the help of security vendors.Hotfile says that rather than falling short in taking steps to get rid of infringing content, it took action that drew compliments from the studios. Hotfile notes that it implemented a "special rightsholder account" system so copyright holders could immediately take down files themselves, but that the studios "deliberately" kept their material up as they prepared to file suit.In the case of Warner Bros., however, Hotfile contends that the studio was overly aggressive in that it used its rightsholder accounts to remove material it did not own, like software games and adults-only content. For example, Warner Bros. made a movie several years ago called "The Box," but it also deleted an audiobook titled "Cancer: Out of the Box," according to Hotfile's claim.Warner Bros. had no comment, but in previous filings the studios have called their anti-piracy records "irrelevant" to the case and have pointed out that the "fair-use" argument applies to clips, not entire movies. Although the studios haven't filed an official response to the Hotfile counterclaim, they've indicated that it would be baseless.As the legal case drags on, attention also is focusing on legislation.The Protect IP Act, a bill aimed at rooting out so-called "rogue" websites, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously, and will get a big push by the Hollywood lobby to secure passage this fall. The legislation, however, does not specifically address cyberlockers, and sources say there are now discussions about including a provision covering such cloud-based storage services.If such provisions are included, Hollywood may have a new tool to fight piracy, perhaps freed from the unpredictability of the courts. But surely that won't be the end of it. After all, pawn shops may not be the most reputable businesses in the world, but they're still open. Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com

Mary Parent Joins 'Pacific Rim' as Producer

Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesMary Parent Mary Parent has became a member of the creating line-from Legendary Pictures' Off-shore Rim, the mechas versus. monsters movie being directed by Guillermo del Toro. Parent behaved as chairman of MGM until its acquisition by Spyglass after which created her very own shingle named Disruption Entertainment, signing an initial-look deal at Vital. While she's several projects within the hopper, they are not in production. Pac Rim, because the project is famous, is a huge tentpole and welcomed her production expertise. Parent now joins Legendary's Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni, in addition to del Toro, as producers. The film shoots in Toronto this fall and stars Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba and Charlie Day amongst others. Mary Parent Off-shore Rim

The Way Your Magazine-Movie Sausage is created

Magazine editors are progressively searching to put their tales at galleries — for which it’s worth: “‘Hollywood is basically in the commercial of not making movies,’ stated Henry Finder, editorial director from the New Yorker. ‘They only create a movie once they exhaust reasons not to really make it. [… B]ut basically’m looking to get talent attached it may be simpler that i can say, “Hey look, Kaira Pitt, there’s this really awesome story which was in Vanity Fair or Moving Stone” — it’s likely to be according to that.’” Great! It beats Ouija. [WWD through the Awl]

The Wachowski Siblings & Tom Tykwer Set to Film "Unfilmable" 'Cloud Atlas'

Three years after the release of Andy and Lana Wachowski's 'Speed Racer,' the big return for the brains behind 'The Matrix' comes in the form of an near-impossible epic. THR reports that the Wachowskis will be teaming up with director Tom Tykwer ('Run, Lola, Run') to adapt 'Cloud Atlas' for the big screen. Based on the novel by David Mitchell, 'Cloud Atlas' revolves around the six roughly intertwining stories of six different people that span from the 19th Century to the post-apocalypse. According to producer Stefan Ardnt, "Many have called the novel unfilmable, but Tom [Tykwer] and the Wachowskis have found a way to tell these stories in an amazing, linear and very cinematic way." In regards to the techniques that they'll use to bring the novel to life, Tykwer and the Wachowskis will film together with two separate film crews and have their actors play numerous roles across the six varying story lines. Starring in the film are Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, and Ben Wishaw, among others. Sure sounds like everyone here's got their work cut out for them, but if David Lynch could film 'Naked Lunch,' anything is possible. Filming is set to start in September, head on over to The Hollywood Reporter for more details on the upcoming film. So do you think 'Cloud Atlas' will work as a movie? [via The Hollywood Reporter]

The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse

A reporter is killed in his car on his way to work. Inspector Kras gets a call from his informant Peter Cornelius, a blind fortune-teller, who had a vision of the crime but not the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Henry Travers, a rich American industrialist, checks into the Luxor Hotel, which has been outfitted by the Nazis during World War II to spy on people in every room. He becomes involved with Marian Menil who is being threatened by her evil clubfooted husband. Hieronymus B. Mistelzweig, purportedly a salesman, who is also a guest in the hotel always seems to be lurking about. These disparate characters eventually get together to solve what appears to be the re-emergence of the long-dead Dr. Mabuse.

CW Revisits Todd Graff's Dramedy 'Acting Out' For Its First Comedy Buy

EXCLUSIVE: Less than a week after new CW president Mark Pedowitz indicated that the network will be open to comedies this development season, the CW has made its first half-hour buy, Todd Graff's summer camp comedy Acting Out, executive produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas. This is a multicamera half-hour version of the project that CW originally developed as a an hourlong musical dramedy last season when it was described as Glee meets Bad Santa. Acting Out is now being retooled as a workplace comedy with performance pieces. It will explore relationships of counselors and staff of a down-on-its-luck summer camp whose new owner, a young curmudgeon in the vein of Billy Bob Thornton inBad Santa, runs afoul of the camp's general manager, a sexy butwound-too-tight former actress. Bandslam writer-director Graff will adapt his original script and executive produce with Goldsmith-Thomas for CBS TV Studios. Goldsmith-Thomas Prods executive Marisa Yeres is also expected to get a producing credit. This is a familiar setting for Graff, who also wrote and directed the 2003 film Camp, about a burnt-out Broadway songwriter who goes to work at a musical camp for young performers. At TCA last week, Pedowitz said the network will develop comedy "very slowly, very smartly -- baby steps, selectively."

VIDEO: Cleveland Residents Use Lunch Hour to Spy Avengers Set Construction

This is how it begins, Marvel. First, fans are checking out construction on the Cleveland set of The Avengers; next, they’re posting videos, spy pics and scene descriptions to the Internet at a pace that can only be described as break-neck. (If you don’t believe that, just ask Christopher Nolan.) ABC affiliate WEWS in Cleveland hit the still-building set of Joss Whedon’s superhero supergroup spectacular during lunch hour, and found many local residents delighted at the prospect of a Hollywood production shooting on their very own streets. Never mind that Cleveland is reportedly being used as a stand-in for New York. Click through to see what foam rubble looks like. Bonus points for the newsman saying “hey, Clevelanders!” in a tone reminiscent of Perd Hapley. [NewsNet5 via Coming Soon]

'Rise From The Planet From The Apes' From The Spoilery Game titles

When "Rise from the Planet from the Apes" shifts into theaters a few days ago, audiences might be surprised at its leading edge effects, but they will not be surprised at the way it finishes. Unless of course James Franco is tugging an enormous James Franco-esqe prank, once the credits roll, apes may have risen and brought within the planet. Although this title-spoiler may appear just like a unique phenomenon, weve counted a minimum of six game titles which have done the unthinkable and distributed their very own ending. Check em out following the jump. "Slumdog Uniform" Ive always although it was a little insensitive to call that kid a slumdog, but this straightforward two-word title provides the whole arc from the film. Its in regards to a poor kid in the slums who will get wealthy on a game title show. While Poor-Kid Game-Show-Champion will be a a little more explicit spoiler, it does not feel as Oscar-worthy because the original. "Saving Private Ryan" Tom Hanks must save Private Ryan. He is doing. Boom, you will find there's title. You might request, Travis! How about the term Saving? Couldnt the tense imply theyre just trying in order to save Ryan, however they really fail? That I only say, no. Please stop asking them questions. I'm not able to listen to you whenever you speak to your computer monitor. Hanks stays. "The Exorcist: Return from the Jedi" While every The Exorcist film does actually include battles raging in space, the actual kicker is the fact that that one allows you realize who wins. In the finish of Episode Mire, the Jedis rise against their oppressors and go back to their fight stations anew. Actually, George Lucas lately stated the significant title of Episode IV was Rise from the Universe from the Jedis. "Finding Nemo" After I swam into theaters to determine this amazingly perfect Pixar film, I didnt have doubts about how exactly it might finish. Nemo will get lost. Nemos father will get worried. Ellen DeGeneres turns up. Nemos father finds Nemo. Strangely, the title Finding Nemo and Ellen DeGeneres had been patented, so that they made the decision to make it simple. "You Will See Bloodstream" It might be a film about finding oil in early American west, but anybody that has seen this film let you know that this is actually the single most accurate title ever. There's bloodstream - and a lot of it - especially within the last four minutes from the film. I shouldn't hand out any longer, then when it involves this film description IM FINISHED! "Titanic" Seriously. Everyone understood it had been coming. Inform us another spoilery game titles within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

First Look: China Anne McClain Gets Her Game On for PrankStars

China Anne McClain, Kim, Sakoiya, Mitchel Musso China Anne McClain's biggest fan is in for a big surprise on an upcoming episode of Disney Channel's PrankStars. In the episode, McClain competes against 14-year-old Sakoiya for the chance to become a television game-show host. But the pressure is on when the show's producer appears to favor the A.N.T. Farm star. In this first-look photo, McClain and Sakoiya may look like they're jumping for joy, but it's not until the joke is revealed that the group can laugh about it. VIDEO: Mitchel Musso recruits Selena Gomez, Debby Ryan to punk their fans in PrankStars Zeke and Luther star Adam Hicks is also featured in the Aug. 12 installment when he "loses" his voice prior to a radio interview and asks his unsuspecting No. 1 fan Zak to fill in. PrankStars, hosted by Mitchel Musso, airs Fridays at 8/7c on Disney.

German Actor Cast As Arya Stark Companion In Game Of Thrones Season 2

By Jolie LashLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Another new cast member has signed on for Season 2 of Game of Thrones, playing a character who will help shape the life of an on-the-run Arya Stark (Maisie Williams). German actor Tom Wlaschiha will play Jaqen Hghar, HBO confirmed to Access Hollywood on Wednesday, news first reported by GOT fan site Winter-Is-Coming.net. Jaqen is a mysterious character, who when Arya first meets him, is actually in chains, on his way to becoming a forced member of the Nights Watch. Jaqen will join the young Stark daughter as she begins a journey (disguised as a boy) she hopes will lead her to the Wall and her brother, Jon Snow. The character ends up having a big influence on Aryas life. Wlaschiha has appeared in a number Hollywood films in small roles including 2008s Tom Cruise vehicle Valkyrie, and 2001s Enemy At The Gates with Jude Law. Wlaschiha joins previously confirmed new faces Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy (in the books as Asha), Nonso Anozie as Xaro Xhoan Daxos, Liam Cunningham as Davos, Stephen Dillane as Robert Baratheons heir and brother Stannis, Dutch actress Carice van Houten as the red priestess Melisandre, Gwendoline Christie as Brienne, knight to Renly Baratheon, and Tudors actress Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell, Renlys wife. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Laurence Fishburne To Play Perry White In 'Man Of Steel'

BEVERLY HILLS, CA The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted tonight to present Honorary Awards to actor James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to philanthropist Oprah Winfrey. All three awards will be presented at the Academys 3rd Annual Governors Awards dinner on Saturday, November 12, at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center. Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones made his film debut in 1964 in Stanley Kubricks 1964 Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. In 1970, he earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as boxer Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope. Jones has appeared in more than 50 feature films including Claudine, Conan the Barbarian, Field of Dreams, Coming to America and, as Vice Admiral James Greer, The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Additionally, Jones has also voiced some of the most iconic characters in motion pictures including Darth Vader in the Star Wars trilogy and Mustafa in The Lion King. Known as the godfather of makeup, Smith began his career in 1945 as NBCs first makeup man. He is known for his makeup artistry on such films as The Godfather, The Exorcist and Taxi Driver. In 1984 he won an Oscar for his work on Amadeus, and received a nomination for Dad (1989). As an educator, Smith helped train many of todays Academy Award-winning and nominated makeup artists including Rick Baker, Greg Cannom, Kevin Haney, Kazuhiro Tsuji, Mike Elizalde and Carl Fullerton. Since receiving her Oscar nomination for her debut film performance in The Color Purple, actress, television host and producer Winfrey has gone on to establish herself as one of the most influential figures in entertainment and philanthropy. She has been especially dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and raising awareness of issues that affect women and children, both in the United States and around the globe. Her philanthropic efforts have included Oprahs Angel Network, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, which opened in South Africa in 2007. The Honorary Award, an Oscar statuette, is given to an individual for extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an Oscar statuette, is given to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry. The Governors Awards presentation will be produced for the Academy by writer-director Phil Robinson with Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare of Don Mischer Productions.

Academy awards: The famous host oprah Winfrey, James Earl Johnson, & Dick Cruz To Get Academy's Governors Honours

BEVERLY Hillsides, CA The Board of Governors from the Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences chosen tonight to provide Honorary Honours to actor James Earl Johnson and makeup artist Dick Cruz and also the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to philanthropist The famous host oprah Winfrey. The 3 honours will be provided in the Academys 3rd Annual Governors Honours dinner on Saturday, November 12, in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center. Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Johnson made his film debut in 1964 in Stanley Kubricks 1964 Dr. Strangelove or: Generate An Income Learned to prevent Worrying and Love the Explosive device. In 1970, he gained an Academy Award nomination for his role as boxer Jack Jefferson within the Great Whitened Hope. Johnson has made an appearance in additional than 50 movies including Claudine, Conan the Barbarian, Area of Dreams, Visiting America and, as Vice Admiral James Greer, The Search for Red-colored October, Patriot Games and Obvious and offer Danger. Furthermore, Johnson has additionally voiced probably the most legendary figures in movies including Darth Vader within the The Exorcist trilogy and Mustafa within the Lion King. Referred to as godfather of makeup, Cruz started his career in 1945 as NBCs first makeup guy. He is renowned for his makeup artistry on such films because the Godfather, Alien and Taxi Driver. Back In 1984 he won an Oscar for his focus on Amadeus, and received a nomination for Father (1989). Being an educator, Cruz assisted train a lot of the modern Academy Award-winning and nominated makeup artists including Ron Baker, Greg Cannom, Kevin Haney, Kazuhiro Tsuji, Mike Elizalde and Carl Fullerton. Since receiving her Oscar nomination on her debut film performance within the Color Crimson, actress, television host and producer Winfrey went onto establish herself among the most influential figures in entertainment and philanthropy. She's been especially devoted to supporting educational initiatives and raising understanding of problems that affect ladies and children, in the U . s . States and round the globe. Her philanthropic efforts have incorporated Oprahs Angel Network, the The famous host oprah Winfrey Foundation, and also the The famous host oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Women, which opened up in Nigeria in 2007. The Honorary Award, an Oscar statuette, is offered for an individual for remarkable distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions towards the condition of movement picture arts and sciences, or outstanding plan to the Academy. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an Oscar statuette, is offered for an individual within the movie industry whose humanitarian efforts have introduced credit towards the industry. The Governors Honours presentation is going to be created for that Academy by author-director Phil Robinson with Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare of Don Mischer Productions.