The parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship announced subpoenas for the live streaming websites Ustream.tv and Justin.tv just over a week ago, alleging that users were broadcasting the pay-per-view events for free and demanding their IP addresses be revealed.
Ustream put out a statement today saying that the subpoena actually came earlier this year, and that Ustream has fully complied with its demands.
Ustream also said it has made it easier for copyright holders to monitor and removed illegal content by implementing content fingerprinting technology from Vobile across the platform last month. It also touted quicker submission times for copyright holders, keyword detection and improved user interface for copyright owners.
The mixed martial arts championship alleged that one user from a single IP address uploaded two events that drew 36,000 and 78,000 non-paying viewers, respectively, representing a “significant loss of revenue” to UFC and their mobile, online, cable and satellite distribution partners. The events cost $44.95 each or $55.95 for the HD version via cable and satellite providers and official online outlets.
“I can’t wait to go after the thieves that are stealing our content,” UFC President Dana White said in the statement. “This is a fight we will not lose.”
Zuffa LLC, the UFC’s parent company, cites a section of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that allows copyright owners to order service providers to disclose the identity of subscribers who allegedly engage in copyright infringement. The company has aggressively pursued pirates in the past, settling over 500 lawsuits last month and testifying before Congress.
Ustream seems prepared to full comply with Zuffa’s demands – the UFC actually has an official channel on Ustream, where it broadcasts footage from behind the scenes as well as some live events.
Justin.tv, which also received subpoenas, has remained silent on the subpoenas so far but has moved to protect copyright owners in the past.
