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The Break & "almost relious cult following"
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==Identity==
==Identity==
aXXo's identity is not publicly known, due to pending legal action by the [[Motion Picture Association of America|Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)]]. The aXXo identity attracts a cult like following in [[The Scene]] and controversial discussions on [[internet forum]]s such as [[Digg]] <ref name="digg">{{cite web |date=2008-08-19|url = http://digg.com/tech_news/The_BitTorrent_Legend_Returns_I_Am_aXXo |title=The BitTorrent Legend Returns - I Am aXXo|format = HTML |publisher = [[digg|digg.com]]| accessdate = 2008-08-19 | last= |quote=}}</ref> or [[The Pirate Bay]]. <ref name="thepiratebay">{{cite web |date=2008-08-19|url = http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3881738/All_aXXo_torrents__Collection_of_447_movie_torrents__%5BXafke%5D |title=Collection of 447 movies, with discussion following at the end of the listing|format = HTML |publisher = [[thepiratebay | thepiratebay.com]] | accessdate = 2008-08-19 | last= |quote=}}</ref>
aXXo's identity is not publicly known, due to pending legal action by the [[Motion Picture Association of America|Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)]]. The aXXo identity attracts a [[cult following]] in [[The Scene]] and controversial discussions on [[internet forum]]s such as [[Digg]] <ref name="digg">{{cite web |date=2008-08-19|url = http://digg.com/tech_news/The_BitTorrent_Legend_Returns_I_Am_aXXo |title=The BitTorrent Legend Returns - I Am aXXo|format = HTML |publisher = [[digg|digg.com]]| accessdate = 2008-08-19 | last= |quote=}}</ref> or [[The Pirate Bay]]. <ref name="thepiratebay">{{cite web |date=2008-08-19|url = http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3881738/All_aXXo_torrents__Collection_of_447_movie_torrents__%5BXafke%5D |title=Collection of 447 movies, with discussion following at the end of the listing|format = HTML |publisher = [[thepiratebay | thepiratebay.com]] | accessdate = 2008-08-19 | last= |quote=}}</ref> [[Hero]] or [[archetype]] for some, the identity is often hailed as an almost religious figure, to the point that the [[Lord’s Prayer]] was modified to become ''aXXo's prayer''.<ref name="torrentfreak_March2007">{{cite web |date= March 31, 2007 |url = http://torrentfreak.com/axxo-prayer/|title = aXXo’s Prayer= HTML |publisher = [http://torrentfreak.com/ torrentfreak.com]| accessdate = 2008-08-21 | last=Ernesto |quote= <br>Our Ripper, who art on mininova,<br>aXXo be thy name.<br>Thy torrents come.<br>Seeding will be done,<br>Here as it was on suprnova.<br>Give us this day our latest rips.<br>And forgive us our leeching,<br>As we forgive those that leech from us.<br>And lead us not on to private trackers;<br>But deliver us from the MPAA:<br>For thine is the ripping, the seeding, and the glory,<br>For ever and ever.<br>Amen}}</ref>


===Alleged Interviews===
===Alleged Interviews===
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The range of malicious fake files includes [[RAR (file format)|RAR format files]] that require the user to download a [[Trojan horse (computing)|trojan virus]] disguised as [[codec]] needed to open alleged [[AVI|AVI format files]]. Other fakes encourage to register to dubious sites or require [[Domplayer]] software. Fakes might contain [[Malware]] being capable of retrieving the [[IP address]] of the [[BitTorrent client]].<ref name="torrentfreak_April2007">{{cite web |date=April 28, 2007|url = http://torrentfreak.com/axxo-torrents-exploited-by-malware-peddlers/|title = aXXo Torrents Exploited by Malware Peddlers|format = HTML |publisher = [http://torrentfreak.com/ torrentfreak.com]| accessdate = 2008-01-13 | last=enigmax |quote=}}</ref>
The range of malicious fake files includes [[RAR (file format)|RAR format files]] that require the user to download a [[Trojan horse (computing)|trojan virus]] disguised as [[codec]] needed to open alleged [[AVI|AVI format files]]. Other fakes encourage to register to dubious sites or require [[Domplayer]] software. Fakes might contain [[Malware]] being capable of retrieving the [[IP address]] of the [[BitTorrent client]].<ref name="torrentfreak_April2007">{{cite web |date=April 28, 2007|url = http://torrentfreak.com/axxo-torrents-exploited-by-malware-peddlers/|title = aXXo Torrents Exploited by Malware Peddlers|format = HTML |publisher = [http://torrentfreak.com/ torrentfreak.com]| accessdate = 2008-01-13 | last=enigmax |quote=}}</ref>

=== The Break ===
Uploads of new aXXo torrent files suddenly stopped in November 2007. An administrator on ''Darkside RG'' (a Release Group and an Internet forum) explained at the time that aXXo allegedly informed them that the identity had decided to take a break. Nearly four months later new aXXo files could be found again, with the movie [[I Am Legend (film)|I Am Legend]] being the first. <ref name="torrentfreak_March2008">{{cite web |date= March 09, 2008 |url = http://torrentfreak.com/axxo-returns-legend-080309/|title = The BitTorrent Legend Returns: I Am aXXo = HTML |publisher = [http://torrentfreak.com/ torrentfreak.com]| accessdate = 2008-01-21 | last=Ernesto |quote= The original posting was http://83.149.99.14/forums/index.php?&showtopic=32529&view=findpost&p=397132, but is no longer available}}</ref>


==Acknowledgements==
==Acknowledgements==

Revision as of 04:06, 21 August 2008

aXXo is the Internet celebrity alias of an individual or a group of people known for infringing copyrights by converting commercial DVD movies into computer files of ~700MB in size that are then uploaded for P2P torrent users to download for free.[1] On popular torrent sites such as isoHunt [2], Mininova [3] or the now defunct TorrentSpy aXXo files are attracting a large following because of their relatively small size and ease of download and use, with over a million people downloading those DVDrips every month.[4] Assuming US $3.00 as cost for a movie rental, this equates to about US $36 million pa in lost revenue for the entertainment industry.

A Google-search for aXXo produces ~7,520,000 results.[5] Snapshots of the "Top Searches" reports on the isoHunt and Mininiva torrent hosting sites feature aXXo as the No. 1 search criteria in both user communities in August 2008. [6] [7] A snapshot of aXXo's account on Mininova reveals 340 torrents, the vast majority of which have hundreds or thousands of seeds and leeches attached to them.[3] Assuming a conservative average of 300 leeches per aXXo torrent would result in a total of ~100,000 leeches at the time of the snapshot, and would extrapolate to ~16 million leeches pa, based on a 48-hour turnaround.

Identity

aXXo's identity is not publicly known, due to pending legal action by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The aXXo identity attracts a cult following in The Scene and controversial discussions on internet forums such as Digg [8] or The Pirate Bay. [9] Hero or archetype for some, the identity is often hailed as an almost religious figure, to the point that the Lord’s Prayer was modified to become aXXo's prayer.[10]

Alleged Interviews

In one purported interview aXXo describes himself as male acting alone.[4] In another purported interview on August 4th, 2008 in Dublin, Ireland, a certain Veronica, apparently a reporter for a major, but otherwise unspecified computing magazine, learns that aXXo stands for 2 male individuals, one from Wales, the other from Poland. [11] A number of names attached to aXXo have emerged in Internet forums including:

An Duc Do

A news article clip supposedly from the New York Times suggested that aXXo was arrested as part of Operation D-Elite.[12]

In the Nov 12, 2007 article aXXo is named as An Duc Do, aged 25, of Orlando, Florida. [12] The article claims that Do, "pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Legrome D. Davis of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on a two-count felony. He is charged with conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement and criminal copyright infringement (which brings a penalty of) up to 10 years in prison coupled with a fine of $500,000. He will be sentenced on February 27th, 2008."

While Judge Legrome D. Davis is an actual judge on the Eastern District and Operation D-Elite did take place the actual scanned clipping shown on the site is a fake template commonly used in hoax stories.

Another version of the article mentions An Duc Do but does not link him in any way to aXXo.[13]

John Burningham

In another supposed New York Times article that used the same hoax clipping image it was claimed that aXXo, aka John Burningham, was killed in a traffic accident on the Interstate 95. [14]

The sources of those hoaxes are unknown.

Other Fakes

Because of its popularity in the torrent subculture the pseudonym aXXo is faked by a variety of individuals and groups to mimic the source identity as a disguise for their own uploads on torrent hosting sites. This creates the One in The Hundred and One Dalmatians effect for the user when trying to pick a torrent file for download. A portion of such decoys is made available by a range of companies in the field of copyright enforcement, such as BayTSP, MediaDefender, or MediaSentry, with the aim of constricting illegal Internet traffic.[15]

Downloading a faked file results in ~700MB of typically useless and potentially malicious data.

The range of malicious fake files includes RAR format files that require the user to download a trojan virus disguised as codec needed to open alleged AVI format files. Other fakes encourage to register to dubious sites or require Domplayer software. Fakes might contain Malware being capable of retrieving the IP address of the BitTorrent client.[15]

The Break

Uploads of new aXXo torrent files suddenly stopped in November 2007. An administrator on Darkside RG (a Release Group and an Internet forum) explained at the time that aXXo allegedly informed them that the identity had decided to take a break. Nearly four months later new aXXo files could be found again, with the movie I Am Legend being the first. [16]

Acknowledgements

  • aXXo was mentioned in an article by Nels Johnson, a writer for DV Magazine, in 2008:

In most discussions concerning whether long-form Flash video does as good a job as Windows Media with, for example, fast-action sports footage or transcoding digital captures of 24 fps film content, the pre-Flash 8 decision usually favored Microsoft" ... "That being said, feature-length Flash content available at www.surfthechannel.com seems to stay in sync (if you can stand the pixelation), as does Mr. Axxo's excellent Xvid work. Perhaps one day he will switch to Silverlight and begin using the Expression Encoder.

— Nels Johnson[17]
  • An aXXo file (Pirates.of.the.Carrabian-Dead.Man's.Chest[2006]DvDrip[Eng]-aXXo.avi) was spotted running as a demo on an iMac displayed on an Apple stand in a John Lewis Department Store in 2007. Lifestyle.Hexus.com contacted the upmarket department stores chain whether the use of illegal material to promote devices was a common occurrence, and John Lewis' Corporate Press & PR Manager, Ms. Louise Thomson, responded with the following statement:

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We have fully investigated the incident and the shop has removed and destroyed the clip. We have also taken the necessary steps to ensure that the replication and publication of pirate material in any form does not take place in our shops. This incident is not reflective of our policy and we take very seriously the copyright laws and would not intentionally break any of these rules or regulations.

— Louise Thomson, Press & PR Manager, Corporate, John Lewis[18]

References

  1. ^ Katie Cincotta (July 12, 2007). "Going for a song" (HTML). The Age. Retrieved 2008-01-13. He downloads a file by aXXo, BitTorrent's most popular DVD ripper. "aXXo has all the best movie copies so you tend to trust him. His file sizes are around 700 MB, which fit perfectly onto a standard CD," he says.
  2. ^ "aXXo search on [[isoHunt]]" (HTML). isoHunt.com. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2008-08-19. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  3. ^ a b "aXXo's account on [[Mininova]]" (HTML). Mininova.org. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2008-08-13. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  4. ^ a b Ernesto (March 11, 2007). "Interview: aXXo, The Most Popular DVD Ripper on BitTorrent" (HTML). Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  5. ^ "Google Search for aXXo" (HTML). Google. August 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  6. ^ "Top Searches on [[isoHunt]]" (HTML). isoHunt.com. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2008-08-19. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  7. ^ "Yesterday's top 5 searches" (HTML). mininova.org. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  8. ^ "The BitTorrent Legend Returns - I Am aXXo" (HTML). digg.com. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  9. ^ "Collection of 447 movies, with discussion following at the end of the listing" (HTML). thepiratebay.com. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  10. ^ Ernesto (March 31, 2007). "aXXo's Prayer= HTML". torrentfreak.com. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
    Our Ripper, who art on mininova,
    aXXo be thy name.
    Thy torrents come.
    Seeding will be done,
    Here as it was on suprnova.
    Give us this day our latest rips.
    And forgive us our leeching,
    As we forgive those that leech from us.
    And lead us not on to private trackers;
    But deliver us from the MPAA:
    For thine is the ripping, the seeding, and the glory,
    For ever and ever.
    Amen     {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Alleged Interview with aXXo, 4th of August 2008 (The file in [[PDF|PDF format]] can only be accessed through a [[BitTorrent client]])" (PDF). fenopy. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2008-08-19. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  12. ^ a b "Another EliteTorrents Uploader Facing 10 Years in Prison" (HTML). 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-19. An Duc Do, aged 25, of Orlando, Florida, has pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Legrome D. Davis of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on a two-count felony. He's charged with conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement and criminal copyright infringement.
  13. ^ Cohen (2007-11). "Orlando man pleads guilty for violating Family Entertainment Copyright Act through Elite Torrents network" (HTML). coveringflorida. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "aXXo is Dead" (HTML). zipile.com. Oct 11, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-13. John Burningham, some might know him as AxxO through some popular torrent sites which are often used to upload illegal software and multimedia; was pronounced dead after a tragic interstate accident off of I-95 October 10th. Authorities found out the identity of this popular "DVD Ripper" after going through his appartment and not being able to find any relatives or close contacts. The case was turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigations due to recent copyright prohibitions, codes and other regulations.
  15. ^ a b enigmax (April 28, 2007). "aXXo Torrents Exploited by Malware Peddlers" (HTML). torrentfreak.com. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Ernesto (March 09, 2008). "The BitTorrent Legend Returns: I Am aXXo = HTML". torrentfreak.com. Retrieved 2008-01-21. The original posting was http://83.149.99.14/forums/index.php?&showtopic=32529&view=findpost&p=397132, but is no longer available {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= and |quote= (help)
  17. ^ Nels Johnson (August 2008). "Click To Play: Why Silverlight Matters" (HTML). DV Digital Video magazine. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  18. ^ Louise Thomson (January 2008). "Click To Play: UK department store reacts in favourable manor" (HTML). lifestyle.hexus.net. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
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