Behind the Scenes at Mininova
Written by enigmax on March 16, 2009Most BitTorrent sites operate in the shadows, with operators who rarely speak in public and guard their identities closely. Mininova is not one of those sites and in a new interview, company directors Erik Dubbelboer and Niek van der Maas reveal a little more about running one of the world’s biggest BitTorrent sites.
Most visitors to Mininova will be completely unaware that this is not your regular torrent site. Unlike many private torrent sites – operating on the fringes of legality and trying to keep a fairly low profile (whilst gathering donations in order to stay alive) – Mininova is a very successful and fully-fledged tax-paying business with a revenue of well over a million dollar a year.
Operating out of its new offices in Utrecht, The Netherlands, Mininova and its five company directors go about their daily business with unparalleled openness. In a new interview with ORF.at, they further peel away the mystique usually associated with running a huge torrent site.
Mininova’s new office (photo richard.pyrker)
Erik Dubbelboer, President of Mininova told ORF that although some people believe that The Pirate Bay is the largest torrent site, in truth Mininova is quite bigger in terms of page views. The site is commercially-driven now, however, it hasn’t always been that way. Erik explained that in the beginning there was no plan to have Mininova operate as a company. “We wanted to make a cool website and experiment with the exciting Bittorrent technology,” he told ORF
But of course, the site was a huge success and now receives a staggering number of visitors. Managing Director Niek van der Maas explained that this substantial traffic is used to drive the site’s main source of revenue – advertising, including deals with companies like Yahoo.
The increased popularity of the site has allowed the Mininova team to grow. “We have turned Mininova from our hobby into a profession,” said Erik. Indeed, the site now has five young employees (average age of 24) who are all studying computer science.
Mininova’s Erik and Niek (photo richard.pyrker)
While other torrent site admins choose to stay in the shadows, Mininova’s owners operate openly as they believe that under current law in The Netherlands their operations are entirely legal. Unlike other large ‘open’ sites, such as The Pirate Bay, Mininova does not operate a public tracker, and unlike their Swedish counterparts they operate a proper copyright takedown request system. If a copyright holder wants a torrent removed, they can write to the site and the necessary action is taken promptly.
Unfortunately, even this isn’t enough to keep anti-piracy outfits at arms length and like The Pirate Bay before them, Mininova also faces legal action. BREIN, the prominent Dutch anti-piracy group (which has already run many torrent sites out of The Netherlands) had been in secret talks with Mininova for over a year, ostensibly trying to reach a negotiated settlement.
But it wasn’t to be. BREIN wanted Mininova to proactively filter their search engine, something the site was not prepared to do. At the time, Erik told TorrentFreak that Mininova will not cave in to pressure from BREIN.
“We will proceed to court with full confidence. We operate within the law, as we maintain our ‘notice and take down’ policy. That is, we remove search results if a copyright holder asks us to.” The court showdown with BREIN will take place May 20th. Mininova is being defended by lawyer Christiaan Alberdingk Thijm, who is known for his legal victory while representing KaZaA in The Netherlands.
Erik told ORF that he believes the first major process in the case will try to determine if the type of service operated by Mininova is legal or not. He noted that there are key differences between their case and the recent one involving The Pirate Bay – the action in The Netherlands is a civil suit, while the case in Sweden was a criminal trial directed at the individuals, not the site itself.
Erik went on to say that he’d spoken recently with Peter Sunde about the TPB case, one which Peter firmly believes they will win. Erik says they speak with Gottfrid too on technical issues but other than that, there is no cooperation between the sites. When asked how he felt the court would rule in The Pirate Bay case, Erik said it was too difficult to call.
One of the reasons that sites like Mininova exist is due to the changing viewing habits of tech-savvy individuals, something which torrent sites have embraced while mainstream media continue to lag behind. “I would like to see content when I have time for it – not only at the time when it’s broadcasted,” Erik told ORF. “Some companies are starting to think and rethink, asking us how they can benefit from our “content distribution” model. They recognize that the fight against file-sharing is hopeless,” he said.
In a further indication that BitTorrent is able to move from the PC screen to the living room, regular visitors to Mininova will have noticed the recent addition of a link labeled ‘New: Devices Overview‘. Listed here are various BitTorrent-compatible ’set-top box’ type devices recommended by Mininova. Erik Dubbelboer says that at the recent CeBIT trade show, several manufacturers showed an interest in having a ‘Powered by Mininova’ logo/license for their devices, including Hauppauge who are perhaps best known for their PC TV tuner cards.
Mininova is very interested in experimenting with new business models for content creators, Dubbelboer said. He said that most people download copyrighted files because it’s so easy and convenient, not because they’re free. One thing is certain, BitTorrent is a great distribution model which allows many artists just setting out to get their work in front of millions of people.
Silence is Sexy is one band that has teamed up with Mininova to distribute their latest album for free, with great success. They even put up a ‘Powered by Mininova’ banner at one of their latest concerts.
Mininova’s banner (photo richard.pyrker)
This year will be an exciting one for the Mininova team. On the one hand they are still experiencing a substantial increase in visitor numbers as well as interest from content producers and device manufacturers. However, the legal battle with MPAA’s affiliate BREIN may ruin this party if the worst case scenario becomes truth. Let’s hope for the best.
Previously: Top 10 Most Pirated Movies on BitTorrent
Next: Mininova Trial Due in Two Months
70 Responses
First:). Thanks for the photos, Torrent Freak. Good luck to Mininova!
I don’t think these guys get enough thanks (although a million in revenues isnt a bad thank you), but they are doing an excellent job and wish them nothing but the best in the future.
Mininova is profiting from piracy and real trackers, maybe these profiteers should share that nice income with sites who are actually doing all the work and taking all of the risks? And come on, we all know they’ll eventually cave in to BREIN.
Instead of trying to make Mininova cave in to “proactively filter search results,” BREIN should instead work with Mininova to strike a deal so that Mininova can share the revenues with the rights holders instead.
also, cock
Agree with the first part of what QsM has said. Not surprised they don’t talk to TPB very much, their essentially leeching TPB and others resources to make their profit as without the trackers they wouldn’t have a business.
“He said that most people download copyrighted files because it’s so easy and convenient, not because they’re free.”
Great, the man know what he’s talking about … nice to read!
I’m pretty sure when people talk about The Pirate Bay being the largest, they’re speaking of the tracker. Almost everything hosted on mininova is tracked by The Pirate Bay.
Miniova is a dumpsite. Piratebay has a ton of garbage on their but there is always a gem of an upload to be found. h33t is pure.
They are profiting from piracy.
I know this has nothing to do with anything, but the boys at Mininova are kind of cute.
if they don’t run a tracker, isn’t it just like they’re parasites on the people that do?
I don’t know, i don’t know a lot about how torrents work, it’s just the impression I get.
parasite no, symbiosis yes. Instead of hurting the host, all parties benefit… ALL damn you! Know your parasitology!
“When asked how he felt the court would rule in The Pirate Bay case, Erik said it was too difficult to call.”
rofl, Mininova would paralyze if TPB went down
Mininova does have it’s own tracker.
Shows how much you know about the site
Example:
http://www.mininova.org/tor/2378353
Clever guys, made something of their lives, made some money, used their brains…. Don’t hate them for doing that – it’s childish.
Keep up the good work guys
Yeah I mean since they dont run there own tracker.. the only thing they really do is host a very nice interface and search engine.. you can view it as a parasite on other people.. but a better way to look at it is splitting up the work load.. so if you want to host a tracker.. you really dont have to worry about a way to spread your content.
yay i can actually read the actual interview, brb
@11
“They are profiting from piracy.”
If they can do it, why can’t the RIAA/MPAA/whateverAA?
Oh yeah, then they wouldn’t have anything to bitch about. :(
They could operate like TV, y’know… Put their shit out for free with ads on the site/occasionally in videos so they could make money and not have to sue everyone on the fucking planet.
Movie producers could make more cash by releasing their flicks on both the Internet and in theaters, because just like everyone else, I pirated Gran Torino, then went to the movie theater and saw it when I realized it was so good.
Of course, corporations are always scared of change.
meh, you must have special needs or something…..
1- they do have a tracker, see above post
2-the do more than “host a nice interface”
3-what have YOU done for the torrent community except make idiotic posts like that one.
I wish mininova would clean up all their popup malware viruses and “anti-virus 2009″ crap. Other than that, i love their dumpsite.
That Mininova founder is such a douche – hosting a tracker is where the trouble is at, saying they’re the biggest torrent site when a lot of what they do is simply indexing TPB torrents does not mean sh*t.
Takes balls to run a public tracker, MN ain’t sh*t in comparison to TPB
@ FYI
Please light yourself on fire.. as your comment is exactly 0% better then myn.
It turns out that they do indeed host a tracker as I was previously mistaken.. but unlike your retarded ass who did as much research as clicking on the link above.. I found this:
http://forum.mininova.org/index.php?showtopic=235012768
Now, it seems that were in the game of asking each other a question that has nothing to do with the topic at hand.. and that somehow makes your comment non-idiotic? Am I right? You must be wearing failshoes. So what have I done? Nothing but what any average user does, upload unique content.. seed.. comment.. share.. blog.. whatever.. but let me guess your an admin somewhere? Probably real busy managing a god like private torrent site?
So what DO they do other then host a nice interface? Please break it down so that my special needs can understand it.. oh wait you probably have no idea since you didnt explain it in the first place..
F.U.C.K.I.N.G.R.E.T.A.R.D.
Mininova would dissappear in seconds if Piratebay had a tag system and some sort of intelligent search system. Allways annoy me that the say their “soooo” big but finding shit is impossible.
I say Demonoid, even if I have to seed longer, and isohunt has allways been the last resort for torrents.
They don’t even host there own traker and there the latest site what bs,all they have is fake files and some real one,the on on there are realy files.so who going to last longer pb
Let me quote:
“Mininova does not operate a public tracker” – I have already seen this: http://mininova.org/announce – isn’t this called a tracker? Correct me if I’m wrong.
Let me quote
“Mininova does not operate a public tracker” – I have already seen this: http://mininova.org/announce – isn’t this called a tracker? Correct me if I’m wrong.
Mininova is 1 of the first places I share on. One of the last places i look for things on. Regardless I wonder if they are hiring :D wouldn’t mind a job working for em and being paid to do the things i do now for free.
If mininova was a person he would never stay to long in a private tracker because of the seed/leech ratio.
If they have a public tracker why don’t they inform the uploaders of that on their upload page http://www.mininova.org/upload ?
Nah, nice try. Just take a look at the table on this side:
http://tinyurl.com/dkkedq
…and then say that those MN guys aren’t parasites. Making millions on the servers that the TPB guys are paying for. Maybe even paying with their own freedom… :(
If i’m not mistaken Mininova do run a tracker but its only for legal torrents(up and coming bands that want to be heard)I agree with a lot of the posts here if TPB went down..poooof…Mininova would be no more…
mininova does have a tracker but it’s for the CD system, it’s not open for all to use.
Great work TF and Mininova!
Greatings from the other side of the rivers ;)
If mininova are making a million dollars a year, then it makes me suspicious of TPB’s claims that they aren’t making any significant revenue.
Of course, I have no problem with TPB making revenue… they provide a valuable service to the world, so if they can make money off advertising then good for them. I can see why TPB would want to lie to the RIAA about their revenue though.
If Mininova went tomorrow people would just move to one of the 100’s of other index sites, they all index the same stuff.
To their credit they do have a decent reporting system but that alone isn’t worth the over 1 million a year they earn. Why don’t they pay for their servers/staff and give the rest to charity, pro p2p groups or even royalties to mpaa/riaa? I believe such massive profits is not acceptable and not in the spirit of p2p.
@33 – Agree entirely.
I think what Erik and Niek were trying to demonstrate in the interview is, that you CAN and SHALL make money with new distribution models. “Filesharing is here to stay”, they said in the German interview and that “Content has always to be payed in some way” – but “Artists also could sell merchandising..and more”.
(Btw, big hugs to enigmax for the honour to have the interview quoted :)
http://twitter.com/cycus
Twitter SUCKS……..
Boring brainless drivel…..That sums up Twitter…Imho….Nah….I’ll Pass…
Wow dude, they are some cool peeps!
RT
http://www.privacy.at.tc
Props to mini nova, seriously!
I use Mininova for everything. I never understood how the Pirate Bay got so big when Mininova is just plain better :)
I use Mininova for everything. I never understood how the Pirate Bay got so big when Mininova is just plain better :)
Cos Mininova just indexes everything on TPB trackers you fudkin moron…What is up with these sheeple?
Next time you load up a torrent look at the trackers!…Yeeeessss….THE PIRATE BAY……Trollope
Google is just a leech. All they do is provide a search for other people’s content, and they are profiting off of it!
Google should have to share its profit with all the websites it links to.
Do anyone of you know that Mininova might have more page views but many of the torrents tere have piratebay as tracker.
So they are themselves using TPB tracker service and wondering why it is considered the biggest
“but let me guess your an admin somewhere? Probably real busy managing a god like private torrent site?”
First, put a comma after guess.
Second, the word is YOU’RE = YOU ARE. Not YOUR.
All these arguments about Mininova being parasites feeding off TPB … You ignorent F.U.C.K.s!
Using your logic one could say Google is also a parasite cos they index the entire internet and make money off other ppl’s work! RE.TA.RD.ED.DiM.WiTS!
Impressive office!
Cool looking staff!
ROTFLMAO
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
Mininova has become the best source for torrents..but it will be if they have their own tracker ;)
http://desip2p.blogspot.com/
long live mininova- keep up great work guys- best public tracker on net
I wonder if they could employ someone who understands that “English” language != U.S. flag sometime.
mininova isnt a tracker it is a search indexing site gaining profit over real servers that handle trackers.
Mininova is just a place where retarded p2ptards go to get crappy files, wading through a mountain of ads and fake files, after all the other people that know how to get files properly.
@ 46
who cares..
Profiting from the creative performance and financial investments of others is really banal!
Go Brein Go! Let these suckers pay back all their millions.
BREIN = stupid fúckers
Thanks for this great article, enigmax.
@56 I agree
I use it when there’s no other source for a file, last resort
otherwise TPB is still the marquis tracker :)
i thik niek might have been on to much of netherlands finest…if u catch my drift hehehe
I love how everyone uses mininova yet as soon as you hear they make actual revenue (read: revenue, not profit)you all feel ripped-off and go BAAAW even though you still don’t pay a cent yourselves… Real browsers shouldn’t even see the ads since they use Firefox and AdBlock
yep mininova might be profiting by indexing other sites, but who cares?? They provide a service! It’s all about the convenience you dumb shits who bitch about mininova being a parasit… for pete’s sake.
@54: I totally agree.
Let Brein grab these parasites by their tiny balls.
Mininova is my favorite bitorrent site. I have been using it for years now. :)
Whoa.. did everyone miss the part where the article said REVENUE?
Revenue does not equal profit.
Profit is revenue minus total costs (in Mininovas’ case things such as servers, bandwidth, offices, wages, lawyers).
So whilst their revenue may be $1,000,000/year, their operating costs may be $950,000 which leaves a profit of $50,000.
Great :) Mininova should keep up the work they’re doing!
too small servers????
is it the headquarters?
still it’s admin rocks!!!!!!!!!
We can’t live without Mininova. Forget the movies, the shows, the games… here in our little corner in Asia… it is the books and documents that we students worship… Mininova is education to us… http://www.amorsiko.com
vai tomar no cuuuu
fodaaaaaa !!!!
The Baroness (#11) wrote:
“I know this has nothing to do with anything, but the boys at Mininova are kind of cute.”
Only just kind of? ;)
What would they think of you?
Hey guys above. Can we get our facts and figures straight please?
I liked mininova, until I noticed that they keep removing the eBooks that I can legitimately share with others… and I’m not sure if it’s because the files are password protected or if it’s the topic (making money tips with blogging, affiliate marketing, etc). And *yes* I provide the password and yes, I’ve had my ip banned even with open PDF files. I include a readme.html file where people are free to read, no obligation whatsoever.
I intend on writing to mininova directly but I doubt I’ll get a response. But it seems pretty dumb to me that I’m providing legitimate uploads… of info people are looking for (clearly), and they’re banning my IP’s for using their distribution service? Given the thousands of virus infected files and other treasures found on mininova, why are they squelching the efforts this small effort of mine to provide what people are looking for (and yes, to also drum up some business in my direction). It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
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