3 Count: Game of Emails

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1: Netflix Accused of Stealing ‘Burning Sands’ Story in New Lawsuit

First off today, Ashley Cullins at The Hollywood Reporter Esquire reports that Netflix is being sued by author Al Quarles Jr. who claims the recent Netflix original film Burning Sands was based on his two-volume book by the same name.

Netflix’s film was about fraternity hazing at a historically black college, the same subject as Quarles’ book. Beyond the title and theme similarities, Quarles claims multiple other similarities including characters (including some with the same names), plot points and more.

Quarles says the first volume of his book was released in 2014, which he claims was two years before the screenwriters for the film finished work. Quarles is seeking an injunction against the film as well as statutory damages and profits from the movie.

2: Kim Dotcom Kept in the Dark About GCSB Spying

Next up today, the New Zealand Herald writes that Kim Dotcom, the former head for Megaupload, will be denied access to recordings made of him illegally by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) even though he’s suing the government over them.

Kim Dotcom was the head of the file sharing site Megaupload until January 2012, when the site was shuttered in a joint U.S. and New Zealand police action. Since then, he has been fighting extradition to the United States. However, as details of the investigation the lead up to his arrest came out, it was revealed that the GCSB illegally recorded conversations involving Dotcom, his wife and his business associates. The government apologized for those recordings but Dotcom sued for damages.

It’s in that lawsuit where this ruling was handed down. According to the high court, national security takes precedent over any of Dotcom’s rights that may be at risk. However, the court also added that the lack of recordings (and knowledge of how they were made) shouldn’t impact Dotcom’s ability to seek damages, rendering them irrelevant. Dotcom has vowed to appeal the ruling.

3: Game of Thrones Pirates Being Monitored By HBO, Warnings On The Way

Finally today, Ernesto at Torrentfreak writes that, while the season 7 premiere of Game of Thrones was a huge hit, those who accessed it through less-than-legal means may already be getting letters warning you that your actions were noticed.

The letters are being sent on behalf of HBO via various ISPs. HBO is sending a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice which, though not obligated, many ISPs forward onto their customers as a means of discouraging piracy.

The letters, however, have little legal effect. HBO does not know the names of the infringers it is attempting to contact and not all letters are delivered as many ISPs do not cooperate.

Suggestions

That’s it for the three count today. We will be back tomorrow with three more copyright links. If you have a link that you want to suggest a link for the column or have any proposals to make it better. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I hope to hear from you.

The 3 Count Logo was created by Justin Goff and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.