LokiTorrent, one of the more popular online BitTorrent hubs, has decided to fight back against the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) by enlisting the support of the community who use their services.
LokiTorrent provides links to torrent files of popular films, games and movies, which can be downloaded using a BitTorrent client. We recently reported on how the MPAA was intending on suing sites which acted as BitTorrent hubs, and LokiTorrent is one of the sites currently being sued.
Other popular sites such as SuprNova seem to have just packed up and closed their doors, but LokiTorrent appear to be bravely soldiering on and are still offering links to torrent files. A message on their front page reads as follows:
"LokiTorrent is officially being sued by the MPAA! If you've ever benefited from this site or file-sharing in general, now is the time to show your support. We are looking at a cost of $30K per month in fees. Please don't think that reaching 100% will ensure an open and shut case, as we all know the tactics of the MPAA. Recent estimates by attorneys are looking at 2-3 times this amount in a full-on battle. Help us fight back and ensure your right to share doesn't end here."
So far LokiTorrent has managed to raise $26,884 of the $30,000 that they say they will need for their legal costs. It does seem strange that those who do not wish to pay for copyrighted material are willing to shell out to protect the site, but it is more likely that this is a protest move by the community against the strong arm tactics that the MPAA are employing to shut down file sharing.
If the MPAA were moving to look at new means of distributing their property rather than going after their customers then perhaps sites like this would not get such a strong consumer response. As it is it would appear that like the RIAA before them, the MPAA are running the risk of alienating their audience. If LokiTorrent get anywhere with their case we'll let you know.
Until then, if you wish to help out just head over the LokiTorrent site.