Warner Wins Injunction Against Russian Hackers of 'Entourage' Movie

11 Aug, 2015 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Moscow City Court filing represents a first for a major U.S. studio

Warner Bros. reportedly has won an injunction against 16 Russian hackers who allegedly distributed illegal digital copies of the movie Entourage, which was released in the erstwhile communist country July 30.

It marked the first time a major U.S. studio — not a representative — filed (Aug. 6) litigation directly in a Russian court, i.e. Moscow City Court.

The hackers include: Bobfilm.net, Kinozadrot.net, Kinokrad.net, Kinomassa.net, BigCinema.tv, My-hit.org, NNM-Club.me, Tushkan.net, Kino-Serial.net, Kinozal.tv, Kinoprosmotr.net, Kinogo.co, Wood-Film.ru, Zerkalo-Rutor.org, 8films.net and Rutor.org.

Along with China, Russia ranks among the worst piracy offenders of Hollywood content, according to the Motion Picture Association of America.

The court ruled Aug. 7 in favor of Warner Bros., which must first request that the hackers delete the Entourage files before any lawsuit can be filed, according to . New anti-piracy laws in Russia enable content holders to seek immediate 15-day injunctions. During this time period, Warner can either resolve the issue or file a lawsuit.

Warner, which has no office in Russia, is being represented by Webkontrol.

“Warner wants viewers who want to see the picture, seeing it in theaters in the best quality and do not see a poor-quality illegal copy" Lina Gevorgyan, a lawyer with Webkontrol, said in a statement. "Ultimately, we hope that these sites will remove illegal content and comply with the Russian law in their activities.”

Entourage, which is based on the HBO series that ended in 2011, generated $44.5 million at the global box office and will be released on disc Sept. 29 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
 

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