Illegal Downloads Don't Equal Lost Sales, Judge Rules

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — A federal judge has decided that one illegal download doesn’t correspond to one lost sale.

In the criminal copyright case U.S. vs. Dove, U.S. District Judge James P. Jones ruled that when seeking restitution for files downloaded through peer-to-peer software, companies couldn’t argue that one illegally downloaded song cost them exactly one legally sold song.

This case involves the music and mainstream movie industries, but Jones’ decision has the potential to affect all industries that traffic in digital downloads, including adult. The defendant in the case, Daniel Dove, had originally been found guilty of criminal copyright infringement. Dove got busted for running a peer-to-peer network called Elite Torrents. At his original conviction, Jones sentenced Dove to 18 months in prison and a $20,000 fine ($10,000 for each of his counts of copyright infringement).

But the plantiff companies wanted more. The RIAA and Liongate Entertainment asked the judge to penalize Dove for each of the individual files trafficked on his site. All told, if Jones had agreed with the RIAA and Lionsgate, Dove would have owed them more than $22 million.

In the opinion, Jones wrote that to equate each illegal download with one lost sale is a faulty assumption.

"Those who download movies and music for free would not necessarily purchase those movies and music at the full purchase price," he wrote. "[A]lthough it is true that someone who copies a digital version of a sound recording has little incentive to purchase the recording through legitimate means, it does not necessarily follow that the downloader would have made a legitimate purchase if the recording had not been available for free."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ondato, CCBill Announce Strategic Partnership for Global High-Risk Market

Age and identity verification firm Ondato and payment processor CCBill have formed a strategic partnership to serve the global high-risk market.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Show More