Need help with MPAA threats

Matthew McCabe mateo07 at mrmccabe.com
Sat Dec 13 15:34:05 UTC 2008


Hello-

Time Warner shut off my connection again last night due to a complaint 
from the MPAA.  They claim that I downloaded 2 movies and 1 TV show.  
This traffic, in fact, must have come through my Tor exit node.

I explained to the customer service agent that I am running a Tor exit 
node and that the traffic must have come through the Tor network.  He 
said that because this is the 3rd complaint, the MPAA may take me to 
court and sue me for $100,000 per violation.  He also claimed that 
"others in similar situations" have lost in court...whatever that means.

Here is where I need your help.  First, is there a good way to filter 
out torrents in my exit policy?

Second, have any exit node operators in the US had similar complaints 
from the MPAA?  If so, how did you handle the complaints?

Lastly, has anyone in the US gone to court as a result of using Tor?  If 
so, do you have a reference for a good lawyer?  At this point, I want to 
continue running a Tor exit node but also want to investigate my legal 
options if the MPAA takes me to court.

Thank you for your help!

-Matt



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