Case 3:14-cv-01782

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Carl D. Crowell, OSB No. 982049

email: carl@crowell-law.com
CROWELL LAW
P.O. Box 923
Salem, OR 97308
(503) 581-1240
Of attorneys for plaintiffs

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF OREGON
PORTLAND DIVISION
VOLTAGE PICTURES, LLC, a California
Limited Liability Company, and
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, LLC, a Texas
Limited Liability Company,

Case No.: 3:14-cv-1782

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

Plaintiffs,

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

v.

ORS 647.105 State Trademark

DOE-74.92.164.133,
Defendant.

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

COMPLAINT
Plaintiffs Voltage Pictures, LLC, (Voltage) and Dallas Buyers Club, LLC (DBC),
complain and allege as follows:
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1.

This is a suit for copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. 101 et seq. (The Copyright

Act) and for a violation of ORS 647.105, Oregons State Trademark Law.
2.

This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a).

3.

This Court has supplemental jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1367.

COMPLAINT

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Venue in this district is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(b) and 28 U.S.C. 1400(a)

as the defendant is believed to reside in this district.

PARTIES
PLAINTIFFS
5. Plaintiff Voltage a California Limited Liability Company and is a producer of the motion
picture titled Dallas Buyers Club, released in 2013.
6. Plaintiff DBC is Texas Limited Liability Company and the registered copyright holder of
Dallas Buyers Club.
The Rights of DBC
7. Dallas Buyers Club is an acclaimed motion picture nominated for six Academy Awards
(Oscars), winning Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Makeup. Plaintiffs motion
picture also won numerous Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globes and other awards.
8.

Dallas Buyers Club, has been registered with the United States Copyright Office by the

owner, DBC, Registration No. PA 1-873-195, 2013

9.

Under The Copyright Act, DBC is the proprietor of all copyrights, title, and related

interest in the motion picture.

10.

The motion picture contains wholly original material that is copyrightable subject matter

under the laws of the United States.

11.

The motion picture is currently offered for sale in commerce.

12.

The motion picture is easily discernible as a professional work as it was created using

professional performers, directors, cinematographers, lighting technicians, set designers and

editors and with professional-grade cameras, lighting and editing equipment.

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Defendant had notice of plaintiff's rights through general publication and advertising and

more specifically as identified in the content of the motion picture, advertising associated with
the motion picture, and all packaging and copies, each of which bore a proper copyright notice.
Rights of Voltage
14.

Voltage has sole and exclusive rights to use the mark VOLTAGE PICTURES in

association with its goods and services both within the State of Oregon and nationwide.
15.

Voltage marks its works with the trademark VOLTAGE PICTURES to distinguish its

products from others and to identify it as the source of its products.

16.

In the marketing of Dallas Buyers Club, Voltage has branded the motion picture with its

famous, distinctive and registered trademark, VOLTAGE PICTURES.

17.

The mark VOLTAGE PICTURES, and design, has been registered with the State of

Oregon pursuant to ORS 647.015, Registry Number 42677.

THE DEFENDANT
18.

The defendant identified herein as DOE-74.92.164.133 is currently known only by their

Internet Protocol (IP) Address 74.92.164.133 which on 10/6/14 at 03:14:00 AM UTC, was
observed infringing the motion picture.
19.

Through geolocation, the IP address used by the defendant has subsequently been traced

to the State of Oregon.

20.

Defendants IP address has been observed as associated with the peer-to-peer exchange

of a large number of copyrighted titles through the BitTorrent network, a record of which can be
filed with the Court on request.
21.

The volume and titles of the activity associated with defendants IP address indicates that

the defendant is likely the primary subscriber of the IP address or someone who resides with the

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subscriber, as such activity indicates the defendant is an authorized user of the IP address with
permissive access.
22.

The volume of the activity associated with defendants IP address indicates that anyone

actively using or observing activity on the IP address would likely be aware of the conduct of the
defendant.
23.

The volume and titles of the activity associated with defendants IP address indicates that

the defendant is not a young child, but an adult with mature tastes.
24.

The defendants IP address was at that time of observed infringement managed by

Internet Service Provider (ISP) Comcast, who on information and belief, generally assigns an
IP address to a single party for extended periods of time, often for months and provides Wi-Fi
systems with notable pre-installed security and passwords.
25.

The records maintained by Comcast should be able to identify either the defendant, or the

subscriber who contracted with Comcast for service who in turn is likely to have knowledge that
will lead to the identity of the defendant.
26.

Plaintiffs intend to seek initial discovery to subpoena records from Comcast to ascertain

the true identity of the defendant.

BACKGROUND
PEER-TO-PEER INTERNET PIRACY
27.

As noted by Senator Levin in Congressional hearings on peer-to-peer Internet piracy, In

the world of copyright law, taking someones intellectual property is a serious offense,
punishable by large fines. In the real world, violations of copyright law over the Internet are so
widespread and easy to accomplish that many participants seem to consider it equivalent to
jaywalking illegal but no big deal. But it is a big deal. Under U.S. law, stealing intellectual
property is just that stealing. It hurts artists, the music industry, the movie industry, and others
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involved in creative work. And it is unfortunate that the software being used called file
sharing as if it were simply enabling friends to share recipes, is helping create a generation of
Americans who dont see the harm.
28.

In 2013, in recognition of the growing problems and challenges with counterfeiting and

piracy, The Oregon House of Representatives passed House Memorial 2, which made the
following findings:
Whereas the United States and other nations share the challenge of combating
intellectual piracy and the counterfeiting of intellectual property such as films and
technologies that affect the quality of life; and
Whereas intellectual piracy and counterfeiting have a significant impact on Oregon's
economy, and the economies of other states and of nations around the world, which
results in job and earnings losses, reduced tax revenues and increased threats to public
health and safety; and

Whereas protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights is crucial to the

future of our innovation-based economy; and
Whereas industries that use intellectual property extensively generate nearly $7.7
trillion in gross output and account for more than 60 percent of total exports from our
nation; and
Whereas industries that use intellectual property extensively employ more than 19
million Americans, whose salaries average about 60 percent higher than salaries in
industries that do not make extensive use of intellectual property; and
Whereas intellectual property infringement can undermine the nation's economic
security; and
Whereas violations of intellectual property rights, ambiguities in the law and a lack
of enforcement create uncertainty in the marketplace and in the legal system and
undermine consumer trust; and
Whereas intellectual property, including trademarks, [are] essential ; and

Whereas failing to adequately protect and enforce intellectual property rights will
increase counterfeiting and illicit trade;

29.

As such it is clear that giving effect to 17 U.S.C. 101 et seq. and ORS Chapter 647,

and the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and in particular the fight against
counterfeiting and piracy are critical issues of importance to the both the United States of
America and the State of Oregon.

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Peer-to-peer networks, at least in their most common form, are computer systems that

enable internet users to: 1) make files (including motion pictures) stored on each user's computer
available for copying by other users or peers; 2) search for files stored on other users' computers;
and 3) transfer exact copies of files from one computer to another via the internet.
31.

The particular peer-to-peer protocol at issue in this suit is the BitTorrent protocol.

32.

To use BitTorrent, a user intentionally downloads a program that they install on their

computer called a client. The BitTorrent client is the user's interface during the
downloading/uploading process. The client may be free, supported by advertising, offer
upgrades or add on services for a fee, or a combination of several options.
33.

Users then intentionally visit a torrent site or network site to find media or content

available for download, often using a standard web browser.

34.

A torrent site is often an advertisement-revenue based or subscription-supported index of

media or content being made available by other users on the network and maintains a listing of
movies and television programs among other copyrighted content.
35.

A torrent site often promotes a motion picture through use of video trailers, images of

movie posters, film stills and other marketing material, often copied from original authentic
marketing material owned by the rights holder and incorporating rightsholder trademarks.
36.

A user then uses the torrent site to connect with other users and exchange content though

the BitTorrent protocol often with many users at the same time.
37.

Internet piracy, and in particular BitTorrent piracy, though known as peer-to-peer file

sharing, is often a for-profit business as many software clients, torrent sites and networks
generate millions of dollars in revenue through sales and advertising.
38.

Many parties, and possibly defendant, have paid money to facilitate or permit increased

access to content which has been made available without authorization.

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To increase the value of the advertising and sometimes subscription access sold by

torrent sites, many parties work to expand the pool of available titles and speed of downloads
available by increasing the number of member peers and thus the desirability of their clients and
networks. To accomplish this they reward participants who contribute by giving them faster
download speeds, greater access, or other benefits.
40.

A torrent site will also often present authentic advertising and branding of a motion

picture to increase desirability, together with a record of the number peers sharing the file to
entice users to use their torrent site and join with others sharing a file through the torrent site, as
such, the participation of defendant furthers the interests of the for-profit torrent site.
41.

A significant element of the BitTorrent model is that those who participate and download

movies not only share and upload movies with others, but participants are often rewarded
through various means based on the volume and availability of content participants in turn
provide to the network. In sum, there is a feedback incentive for participants as they obtain not
only the benefit of their pirated copy of a movie, but they obtain other benefits by increasing and
promoting the availability of pirated content to others.
42.

Defendants participation in the BitTorrent exchange of plaintiffs motion picture is the

type of activity that torrent sites use to promote their business and likely directly furthered the
for-profit business of at least one torrent site.
43.

There are a growing number of users that participate in peer-to-peer networks and receive

personal gain or compensation in that the networks they use reward those who provide large
numbers of files for upload to others. Many parties, and possibly defendant have been
compensated for their participation in expanding the availability of pirated content to others
through BitTorrent networks, including plaintiffs movie.

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The use of BitTorrent does more than cause harm through the simple theft of intellectual

property. The BitTorrent distribution of pirated files is a model of business that profits from
theft through sales and advertising and provides a system of rewards and compensation to the
participants, each of whom contribute to and further the enterprise.
45.

Based on activity observed associated with defendants IP address, defendant is a prolific

proponent of the BitTorrent distribution system advancing the BitTorrent economy of piracy.
FACTS OF THE CLAIM
IP Address
46.

An Internet Service Provider, (ISP), grants access to the Internet and the ability to send

and receive information, whether in the form of an email, photo or motion picture. To connect to
the Internet a user must contract with an ISP and create an account for service either directly, or
through an intermediary such as a subscriber.
47.

The ISP then generally assigns each subscriber a unique IP address, often for an extended

period of time. An IP address is like the address used on an envelope. It is the public identifier
each user uses to tell the world not only where they are sending data from, but the location to
where any requested data should be sent.
48.

The defendant has been identified as the party using a specific IP address at a specific

time.
49.

Plaintiff has, to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, learned the ISP used by the

infringer, the torrent file copied and distributed by the infringer as identified by file hash, the
BitTorrent client application utilized by the infringer, and the general location of the infringer, as
determined by geolocation technology.
Conduct of Infringer

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Plaintiff has recorded the infringer identified herein as copying and publishing plaintiffs

motion picture via BitTorrent, as plaintiff's investigator has made a direct TCP/IP connection
with the defendants computer and downloaded content to confirm defendant is actively
distributing the motion picture. This direct two-way TCP/IP connection overcomes potential
spoofing or any question as to whether or not defendant is actually involved in the distribution
of plaintiffs motion picture.
51.

On operation, the infringer accessed the Internet either as the subscriber to the ISP

(Comcast) account or through access provided by the subscriber. The infringer then initiated his
or her infringing conduct by first intentionally logging into one of many BitTorrent client
repositories known for their large index of copyrighted movies, television shows and software.
The infringer then intentionally obtained a torrent file identified by a hash which was attached
to plaintiffs motion picture from the index and intentionally loaded that torrent file into a
computer program or client designed to read such files.
52.

With the torrent file intentionally loaded by the infringer, his or her BitTorrent client used

the BitTorrent protocol to initiate connections with possibly hundreds of other users possessing
and uploading or sharing copies of the digital media described in that same hash, namely,
plaintiffs motion picture. As the motion picture was copied to the infringers computer piece by
piece, these downloaded pieces of plaintiffs motion picture were then published and made
available for upload to other users computers. Thus, the infringer not only participated in the
BitTorrent downloading the plaintiffs motion picture, but also uploaded or published the work
via BitTorrent and made it available to others.
53.

Once the defendant joined with the other peers in the exchange of the motion picture, the

defendants status as another peer is then available to the torrent site to use to further the
promotion of the use of the torrent site which in conjunction with the use of plaintiffs images
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and trademarks promotes the infringement of plaintiffs rights furthering the economic model of
piracy.
54.

On information and belief, the infringers conduct was unauthorized and in violation of

the license and terms of access to the Internet through his or her ISP.
55.

Upon information and belief, the infringer was a willing and knowing participant in the

infringing of plaintiffs rights.

56.

Upon information and belief, the infringer also obtained compensation or other personal

benefit through making content, including plaintiffs motion picture, available to others, even if
such compensation was only increased access to other infringing works.
FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
57.

Defendant, without the permission or consent of DBC, copied and distributed plaintiffs

motion picture through a public BitTorrent network.

58.

Defendants actions infringed DBCs exclusive rights under The Copyright Act.

59.

Defendants conduct has been willful, intentional, in disregard of and indifferent to

DBCs rights.
60.

As a direct and proximate result of defendants conduct, DBCs exclusive rights under 17

U.S.C. 106 have been violated.

61.

DBC is entitled to damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 504 and attorney fees and costs

pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 505.

62.

The conduct of defendant is causing and, unless enjoined and restrained by this Court,

will continue to cause plaintiffs great and irreparable injury.

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Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 502 and 503, DBC is entitled to injunctive relief prohibiting

defendant from further contributing to the infringement of DBC copyrights and ordering that
defendant destroy all copies of the motion picture made in violation of DBC rights.
SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF
ALTERNATE THEORY INDIRECT INFRINGEMENT
64.

Plaintiffs repeat and reallege each of the allegations above.

65.

Defendant obtained Internet access through an ISP and knowingly or with willful

disregard permitted, facilitated and promoted the use of the Internet access for the infringing of
DBCs exclusive rights under The Copyright Act by others.
66.

Defendant failed to reasonably secure, police and protect the use of their Internet service

against use for improper purposes such as piracy, including the downloading and sharing of the
motion picture by others.
67.

Defendants failure was with notice as piracy is in violation of the license for access

granted to defendant by their ISP which issued defendant an IP address to access the internet.
68.

Defendants failure was with notice as the volume of activity associated with defendants

IP address is such that defendant either knew of or should have known of the infringing activity.
69.

Defendant is liable as an indirect or secondary infringer.

70.

Defendants conduct has been willful, intentional, in disregard of and indifferent to

plaintiffs rights.
71.

As a direct and proximate result of defendants conduct, DBC exclusive rights under 17

U.S.C. 106 have been violated.

72.

DBC is entitled to damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 504 and attorney fees and costs

pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 505.

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The conduct of defendant is causing and, unless enjoined and restrained by this Court,

will continue to cause plaintiffs great and irreparable injury.

74.

Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 502 and 503, DBC is entitled to injunctive relief prohibiting

defendant from further indirect infringement of its copyrights and ordering that defendant
destroy all copies of the motion picture made in violation of its rights and take such further steps
as are necessary to prevent further indirect infringement.
THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF
ORS 647.105 STATE TRADEMARK
75.

Plaintiffs repeat and reallege each of the allegations above.

76.

Pursuant to ORS 647.095, a person who without the consent of Voltage uses the

VOLTAGE PICTURES mark in connection with the distribution of a reproduction or counterfeit

of a motion picture is liable for the equitable remedies provided in ORS 647.105.
77.

Pursuant to ORS 647.105, The owner of a mark registered under this chapter may

proceed in a civil action to seek an injunction against the use, display or sale of a counterfeit
or imitation of the mark.
78.

Voltage comes to this court seeking the equitable remedies provided by ORS Chapter

647, namely an injunction against those who would, without authorization, reproduce and
distribute motion pictures which bear its registered trademark.
79.

Defendant, without the authorization or consent of Voltage, used and distributed a

reproduction or counterfeit of a motion picture bearing Voltages registered trademark

VOLTAGE PICTURES.
80.

Defendants conduct was in support of a furtherance of the commercial distribution of the

motion picture by for-profit commercial enterprises that promote and facilitate the distribution of
plaintiffs motion picture using Voltages trademarks and trade name in association with such

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promotion, including the use of movie trailers and posters branded with the VOLTAGE
PICTURES mark.
81.

The presentation and promotion of plaintiffs motion picture for distribution through the

BitTorrent file sharing system and torrent sites, when coupled with the use of movie trailers and
posters, branded with the VOLTAGE PICTURES mark, is presumed to lead to confusion.
82.

Defendant has acted with knowledge and in bad faith in their infringement of Voltages

rights.
83.

Voltage is entitled to an order of from this court enjoining defendant from infringing its

rights and directing defendant to delete all unauthorized copies of Voltages motion pictures.
DAMAGES
84.

Plaintiff DBC has been damaged and claims statutory damages from the infringer

pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 504(c)(2).

85.

Plaintiffs each have been damaged and claim equitable relief.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, plaintiffs pray for judgment against defendant as follows:
A.

For entry of permanent injunction enjoining defendant from directly, indirectly or

contributory infringing plaintiffs rights, including without limitation by using the
internet to reproduce or copy plaintiffs motion pictures, to distribute plaintiffs
motion pictures, or to make plaintiffs motion pictures available for distribution to
the public, except pursuant to a lawful license or with the express authority of
plaintiffs. And further directing defendant to destroy all unauthorized copies of
plaintiffs motion pictures;

B.

Statutory damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 504.

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C.

For plaintiffs reasonable costs and attorney fees pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 505; and

D.

For such other and further relief as the Court deems proper.

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, plaintiffs demand a trial by
jury.

DATED: November 10, 2014

Respectfully submitted,
CROWELL LAW
/s/Carl D. Crowell
Carl D. Crowell, OSB No. 982049
carl@crowell-law.com
503-581-1240
Of attorneys for the plaintiffs

COMPLAINT

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