IsoHunt Takes Down BitTorrent Trackers in the US
Written by Ernesto on September 25, 2007Starting today, the Isohunt team will deny access to all US visitors on their TorrentBox and Podtropolis tracker. They are forced to take this action because of their involvement in a lawsuit initiated by the MPAA.
The IsoHunt crew released this statement today:
As of earlier today, we have disabled access from users in the US to our trackers. This goes for ALL trackers (torrentbox, podtropolis) we run. This is due to the US’s hostility towards P2P technologies, and we feel with our current lawsuit brought by the MPAA, we can no longer ensure your security and privacy in the US. So, if you’re outside the US, you may notice less peers. We encourage you to add other public, unhampered trackers to torrents you post, in addition to Torrentbox and Podtropolis’s trackers.
IsoHunt is not alone in their battle with the MPAA. Last month TorrentSpy, another site named in the MPAA lawsuit blocked access to US users on their site. However, the takedown of IsoHunt’s trackers will have an even bigger effect on the BitTorrent community worldwide, especially because TorrentBox runs one of the biggest public BitTorrent trackers. As mentioned by the Isohunt team, this means that users outside the US will see less peers connected to their torrents which may result in slower download speeds.
The MPAA announced the lawsuit (PDF) against Torrentspy, Torrentbox and Isohunt in February 2006. Isohunt owner Gary later told TorrentFreak that they will not bow down to the MPAA. Isohunt hired a top-notch lawyer, specialized in Internet copyrights. It now seems that this wasn’t enough to keep the trackers in the air. For now, the websites are still available to US visitors.
The MPAA argues that the sole purpose of these BitTorrent trackers and sites is to share copyrighted content. But they are wrong according to Gary, who said, “We process copyright takedown requests daily, and have done so for hundreds of requests in the past, if not thousands. We work with all copyright owners, and even the RIAA email us routinely. The MPAA is the only organization unwilling to cooperate with us.”
Luckily, quite a lot of torrents are tracked by more that one tracker these days. And if that doesn’t work there’s always DHT. You can read more about how to protect yourself from failing BitTorrent trackers in this article. Long live the hydra!
To be continued. (Thanks Tom)
Thanks to one of our American associates showing this block in action right now
Previously: The 5 Most Popular BitTorrent Trackers
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125 Responses
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guys, just go to usenet.
1st of all, all u faggots hatin on the USA can suck my left nut, cuz America is the shit, and fuck wit us and we will fuk u up. 2nd, these torrent sites are a revolution in the media business. Its goin to force the media to only produce good shit. There is so much shit out there its hard to know whats good, and thats why the torrent sites are tight.
Ps Canada Sucks and the antichrist is alive.
Fuck the MPAA
This has been an interesting read. I actually got very little information on what the article was actually talking about and more on how everyone hates “US”. Do you guys really have nothing else to do with your lives but then to sit around and hate the US? I’m not saying we’re the best country in the world, and I certainly don’t believe it, but geeze get off your high horses.
Now please can some explain in plain English, or whatever language you’re comfortable in, although I may not understand you ;)what exactly is going on? I mostly got that the MPAA is trying to shut down free bittorrent sites? And so the sites are starting to block US users?
Someone also mentioned something about Mediadefenders, what exactly was meant. I have an idea, but I would like clarification.
Thanks in advance.
[quote comment="173036"]Naw I like this better. I’m Canadian. And yes. I AM better than you.[/quote]
at f*cking polar bears.
ok I grant you that
what makes me laugh is you americans are so far up your arse you cant see the truth.
you suplied the arms to saddam to fight against iran. then he used them against the us brits.
you suplied the arms to the afgans
the taliban against the russians.
now there using them against us the brits.the americans are the one’s who do the friendly fire. oops your dead you moved and i thought you was the enemy. you lot start a war that you cannot finish.
the world would be a better and safe
place without a yank.
arse holes, sorry arse holes are uuseful they get rid of shit.
^you’re next.
89 internet hardnut that about sums
a american.
shit head
i don’t bash other nations but i think it’s pretty messed up to bash mine…being blk i fucking hate brits…u “arse” holes started the fucking slave trade so shut the fuck up about who the world would b better without…cus your on the top of the list in the worlds opinion because of the sheer massive damage u inflicted on the world during your era as an empire…secondly…we’re all fucking human…iran and afgan…they had and have to be taken care of some time…if we leave em alone…they’ll just fuck with europe…granted they are now but it probobly would be hella worse if there wasn’t a war goign on
fuck u nigga
you call us brits for the slave trade, ok fair enough but if it did not happen you jungle beats will still be in africa banging drums and crying out war songs and humping monkeys, dont say you dont because where do you think aids has come from.
anyway if it was not for us you niggas will still be in the ice age.
ps, i dont call other nations just america.
because you are the shits of this world. i feel sorry for canada and mexico who have got to boarder you lot.
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