BREIN continues assault on prolific individual file-sharers

By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 5 August 2016

Dutch anti-piracy group BREIN continues in its newly charged bid to target individual file-sharers with the news that a man who shared 18,000 music files via Usenet has agreed to stop doing that, and to pay 15,000 euros in damages for past copyright infringement.

BREIN confirmed earlier this year that it was planning to go after particularly prolific uploaders of unlicensed content on various file-sharing and other online networks. This was after it had secured an injunction in the Dutch courts against a specific KickassTorrents uploader that would have fined the man 2000 euros a day for every day he continued to make unlicensed content available for download.

According to Torrentfreak, the latest file-sharer targeted by BREIN told other Usenet users that he would no longer be sharing any music online as a result of his settlement with the anti-piracy group. If he breaks his commitment to stop file-sharing, he could face an additional fine of up to 50,000 euros.

The Usenet user wrote: “This morning I was ‘honoured’ with a visit from the bailiff on behalf of BREIN. To cut a long story short, I am sentenced to pay a hefty sum of money for my work as a spotter / poster. Perhaps there are people who would just continue, but I’m out”.

Confirming that its renewed efforts to target illegal file-sharers would extend beyond conventional file-sharing platforms, to networks like Usenet, BREIN director Tim Kuik says: “BREIN previously announced that it would expand its actions against illegal uploaders. This doesn’t only affect BitTorrent uploaders as in previous cases this year, but also uploaders to Usenet and file-hosters or cyberlockers”.

He went on: “In addition to the present case, there are still more investigations ongoing. We don’t warn illegal uploaders, but immediately offer them a settlement. If someone does not want to settle, a court proceeding will follow, to recover the full damages and costs”.

READ MORE ABOUT: BREIN | Usenet