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Streaming movies online:The True E-Hollywood Story
Jan André Blackburn–CabreraUniversity of Ottawa – Faculty of Law – Common LawDCL 7066 –Research Paper, LL.M.Supervisor: Professor Michael GeistSecond Reader: Professor David Fewer 
 
 
Streaming movies online:
 
The True E-Hollywood Story
Jan André Blackburn–Cabrera
“Most people would probably agree that Google is not a bad company.Google has probably millions and millions of links to illegal files.” – Daniel Raimer 
Abstract
Online streaming of digital content is on the rise and the failure of the legalsystem to eliminate copyright infringing streaming feeds from the Internet hasforced Hollywood to change content distribution practices to an online-basedstreaming model. Studios and producers have (arguably) faced a significant lossin revenue to illegal streaming. The entertainment industry in Hollywood and beyond is now facing the same debacle the music industry faced in 1999 with Napster, how to generate revenue from distributing content online?Advancements in technology permit live video streaming to a worldwideaudience from a conventional personal computer. The future holds ubiquitouscomputing, where everything is digitally streamed through video. The desire of everyone to have
access
to streams, in its inception of copyright content and inthe future all other content, is imminent. Copyright infringement of digitalartistic works is a constant technological battle for copyright owners and hascreated a market disagreement between owners and end-users. Just like ithappened with music, users want to download and watch content for free whilecopyright owners want to get paid.An analysis of the copyright issues the entertainment industry is facing dueto what can be called ‘illegal streaming’ feeds online and the implications to both end users and website operators comprises section
2
. After understandingthe various video-streaming products online, the laws applicable to thistechnological advancement are provided to expose the flaws of the copyrightlegislations that should be protecting video-recorded entertainment content indigital format. A look at the currently proposed amendments to the DigitalMillennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the concern that illegal streaming of content may not be covered by criminal law makes up section
3
. A new federalcriminal statute that makes “infringement by streaming” a felony is unnecessary,difficult to prosecute, and will not eliminate illegal streaming feeds of entertainment content online.The entertainment industry’s attempts at DMCA enforcement and againstillegal streams on section
4
shows lawsuits have actually increased the number of streaming feeds and websites, creating the opposite effect expected by theHollywood studios. The U.S. government seizures of alleged infringing websitesis also proof copyright laws need to provide more guidance to agencies and judges so enforcement efforts can be appropriate and constitutional. Alternateways are suggested for the industry’s fight against copyright infringement onstreaming websites that do not involve flawed legislation, unlawful criminal prosecutions or costly legal fees.
 
 
Streaming movies online:The True E-Hollywood Story
Jan André Blackburn–Cabrera
Table of contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................1
2
Streaming the infringement.................................................................................................................5
2.1
Illegal streaming: clearing the air....................................................................................................................5
2.2
Exemption from infringement: a necessary loophole....................................................................................10
3
Legislative amendments.....................................................................................................................15
3.1
Vague regulations: what not to do.................................................................................................................16
3.1.1
Commercial Felony Streaming Act.................................................................................................17
3.1.2
Stop Online Piracy Act....................................................................................................................18
3.1.3
PROTECT-IP Act............................................................................................................................20
3.2
Critics everywhere are raving........................................................................................................................23
3.3
Canada saves the day?...................................................................................................................................26
4
Hollywood’s takes at copyright enforcement...................................................................................28
4.1
Operation In Our Sites: unfounded prosecutions..........................................................................................29
4.2
Linking legal everywhere..............................................................................................................................35
4.3
What the industry could do, instead..............................................................................................................38
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................42
Appendix....................................................................................................................................................45
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