BitTorrent Comic Tracker Re-Opens Despite Marvel and DC Threats
Written by enigmax on November 24, 2007The Z-Cult FM comic book tracker has re-opened despite threats from Marvel and DC comics. “Contrary to popular belief, United States’ laws are not, in fact, applicable outside America” they told TorrentFreak. As comic publisher SLG comes out in support of this torrent site, Z-Cult restarts its trackers.
A few days ago we reported on the legal pressures being experienced by the Z-Cult FM comic tracker. At the time, site admin ‘Serj’ explained: “We got legal letters from both Marvel and DC Comics who have been working together to send us these legal threats. We are currently dealing with the legal issues and they have given us 3 days before they are forced to take anymore action.”
Since then, the Z-Cult FM trackers haven’t been operating as the admins try to sort out the legal issues. In the first instance, Marvel Comics demanded that Z-Cult FM respond to their demands within 3 days which they have been trying to do. However, the staff concerned at Marvel went off on their Thanksgiving break and were unavailable to discuss anything with the Z-Cult FM admins.
Additionally, Marvel has been demanding certain files from Z-Cult FM - files they don’t have, admin ‘Serj’ told TorrentFreak:
“Z-Cult pointed out that we do not in fact hold any of the files that Marvel have demanded we provide to them. If Marvel understood how BitTorrent works, they would realize this.”
Having been let down by Marvel’s lack of interest in meeting their own deadlines and their apparent refusal to recognize that US law isn’t valid worldwide, ‘Serj’ continues:
“Contrary to popular belief, United States’ laws are not, in fact, applicable outside America. In view of the pressure from Z-Cult’s 70 000+ members, all comic fans, and as Marvel have not been available to discuss the matter, Z-Cult has decided to restart the trackers.”
Z-Cult is very keen to point out how they try to work with copyright holders to help them protect their interests. Serj explains how the system works:
“Z-Cult has a clear posting on the site that says it will remove postings on request (with a modicum of proof of ownership), and in fact has already done so in a number of instances. Indeed, some companies, such as Slave Labor Graphics and Hack/Slash, having previously requested removal of their material later relented, acknowledging the role the site has in growing readership and fandom.”
Indeed, SLG Publishing seem very pleased with Z-Cult FM, and are giving Z-Cult support during these difficult times by giving permission for fans to upload and share their comics legally on the tracker.
A statement from SLG reads:
To the members of Z-Cult:
SLG publishing would like to thank the moderators and forumers of Z-Cult for the respect they have shown in regards to our ban request. Obviously, our preference is to have each comic legally paid for, and the efforts undertaken to honor this desire have clearly shown that Z-Cult is not a forum overrun by those expecting a free ride. In return, we have decided to lift the ban from our independently published titles being distributed on Z-Cult. Of course, this is not an entirely selfless act - we hope that exposure to our large library of titles will help encourage support of our legal download site, www.eyemelt.com. It is our belief that there is a market for legally downloadable comic books, and we hope that we can prove this to the comics industry by showing success through our our digital distribution system.
Unfortunately we cannot lift the ban on any SLG/Disney titles, for reasons that should be obvious. These titles are limited to: The Haunted Mansion, Tron, Gargoyles and Wonderland. Our apologies for being unable to allow sharing on these particular titles.
For those of you who took the time and effort to report and remove our material, and particularly to those who undertook the process of re-uploading your torrents over and over without complaint, thank you.
SLG Publishing
Serj finishes up with a big ‘thank you’ to SLG Publishing for their support:
“We would like to thank SLG for working with us rather than against us and hope this is the beginning of a new way for our users to enjoy the comic books of other publishers.”
Rest assured we’ll keep regular readers and comic fans updated on this story as it develops.
Previously: Movie Director Uses BitTorrent as Lawyers Chase Those Downloading His Movie
Next: The Pirate Bay Cancels OiNK Replacement
69 Responses (Add yours or TrackBack)
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I’m not sure if the Marvel and DC excecs learned anything from the whole battle between music companies and their fans. In the end, music big corporates became the Anti-Christ to many people and, apparently, comic book companies plan to do the same. The big difference between comic book download and music download, that comic fans do indeed buy the books they like. These comic book companies should have considered this before striking a place that is “home” to many of us.
When and if, thats a BIG IF, they figure out how P2P works, they will ask for the ‘offending links’ to be removed. Obviously they belive the actual files are being stored there, as the above article points out, not so! Listing the lin ks anyway does not violate the US laws, since they are not applicable outside of the US without cooperation from other countries…so its up in the air I guess.
I download Digital Comics
I Read Digital Comics
I buy Real Comics
I buy Comics I discovered by reading Digital Comics.
I love Z-Cult
I Support Z-Cult
Z-Cult has a strong community of members from all over the world.
WE don’t like Marvel
We will like DC if they grow some balls and stop playing “monkey-see, monkey-do” with marvel and stand on their own two feet.
Marvel does not care about their fans
marvel cares about money
marvel still owes jack kirby much $
marvel will never get another dollar from me.
I love SLG
I will spend the money I am saving from not buying marvel and dc books with slg and other small companies.
SLG rocks.
Zcult rocks
Scanners rock
Our community rocks…..
But
Marvel SUCKS!!!
I, am spartacus !!!!
This is good news.
And good luck to SLG :)
Impressive!
good, i wish you luck
It’s good to see that they aren’t folding under the pressure and it’s nice to see that one comic company is at least supporting their efforts.
[quote comment="222722"]good, i wish you luck[/quote]
QFT
I must admit; Z-Cult has 1 pair of hard rock bowling balls (pun intended). Marvel has 1 pair of ping pong balls (much pun intended.
I use to like you Marvel. You’ve gone to the dark side of the force. Marvel needs some wine and cheese and just take a nice vacation. Stop being greedy Marvel. Your getting plenty of royalties from all those comics to movies being released from the last few years. Now back to me jellybabies. Yummy for my tummy!
the comic industry was on the endangered list but thanks to careful breeding programs by the likes of z-cult, it is once again thriving.
don’t push it dc/marvel…you are biting the hand that feeds you
Where is Superman when you need him?
[quote comment="222777"]the comic industry was on the endangered list but thanks to careful breeding programs by the likes of z-cult, it is once again thriving.
don’t push it dc/marvel…you are biting the hand that feeds you[/quote]
You tell em loci.
I’m in London now at the train station at gate 1: Men’s restroom. I’m writing this from my cellphone hoping someone can get me some paper or a roll of toilet paper. I’m stuck on this seat until I can properly get my arse cleaned. 20 euros to the first person to help me. If not thanks anyways for reading. My last resort will be scotland yard or interpol. Oh yeah Marvel and DC are a bunch of smegheads. Those non wicked bastards can’t wait five months to buy another new car. Hey Marvel/DC stop copying the anti pirate organizations you lousy greedy diarrea eating bastards. Come down here and clean my arse. Its starting to smell bad. :(
I’m very disappointed in you Marvel/DC. You make me puke. A slow economy means that comic book sells will also slow down too. Man, these companies are getting greedy by the minute. And someone please help out “stranded on the toilet bowl”. I would hate being stuck on the toilet bowl. Especially in a public one. I’d help you man but I live in the US. Good luck dude.
I don’t think the big boys Marvel and DC will learn from the music/movie industry situation…asking for that is already asking too much.
Thumbs up to companies like SLG for wanting support from the bittorrent community. When you have a group of dedicated fans at places like Z-Cult FM good things can happen.
Never mind now. Some young man ended up going to the womens bathroom and got me some nice toilet paper. And he got 20 euros. It feels great having a clean arse again. Thank you bittrucker for your help.
Kiss my black Frenchy azz Marvel and DC. Your revenues will definitly drop without the support of any Bit Torrents. SLG I’ll be showing you more of my hard earned money.
[quote comment="222829"]Never mind now. Some young man ended up going to the womens bathroom and got me some nice toilet paper. And he got 20 euros. It feels great having a clean arse again. Thank you bittrucker for your help.[/quote]
No prob. Us men like having clean a$$es. Well at least most of us do anyways.
Makes on sense for marvel or DC to protest. If you like a comic you have to buy it. Reading a good comic on a computer screen is just wrong. Why can’t they understand that?
[quote comment="222889"]Makes on sense for marvel or DC to protest. If you like a comic you have to buy it. Reading a good comic on a computer screen is just wrong. Why can’t they understand that?[/quote]
ummmm..guess you haven’t read the above posts or anything else that’s going on….you’re entitled to your opinion, but you obviously have no idea as to why some of us do this and what the benefits of having done so have been….
i quit comics for 5 years until zcult. i started buying again, and increasing titles as i found more titles i liked that i NEVER would have looked at or bought. most of us buy the books we read online. reading books in this format has helped increase comic sales, if anything….
Besides, all you anti-pirates, haven’t you ever heard the words “out of print”? Piracy is keeping some sub-cultures alive!
Digital comics are nothing like holding a real comic so I don’t know why these companies are so bothered. It just allows people to find out about new comics, kinda like reading them on the bookshelf in a store.
I thought they would be happy with the exposure especially with more interactive media such as tv and video games getting all the attention these days.
Attacking your fans never has a happy ending.
Looks like I wasn’t clear. I will have to start proof reading:) My point was that most people who like a comic they downloaded, would probably buy it, because it’s no fun reading it on a screen. So the comic companies are shooting themselves it the leg.
To Marvel:
Marvel comics purchased before discovering them on BitTorrent: 0
Marvel comics (to date) purchased after finding them on BitTorrent: 32 (and counting)
To DC:
DC comics bought before finding them on BT: 0
DC comics bought after: 1 (and counting)
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