Online film pirate ordered to pay $1million for stealing and distributing The Revenant (and The Peanuts Movie)
The 31-year-old man stole copies of the film while working for 20th Century Fox
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Back in December, a man based in California stole and distributed a copy of The Revenant from 20th Century Fox six days ahead of release - he's now been charged $1.12 million (£862,000) by the studio.
The 31-year-old man pleaded guilty to stealing copies of the film, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, as well as The Peanuts Movie, and uploading them online illegally.
A federal court judge sentenced him for felony criminal copyright infringement after he stole screeners of the films during time working for the studio last year; as well as the fine, the judge ruled he serves an eight-month home detention and 24-month probation.
More than a million people downloaded The Revenant - which went on to win Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar - over six weeks.
U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Eileen M. Decker, said: “The defendant’s illegal conduct caused significant harm to the victim movie studio. The fact that the defendant stole these films while working on the lot of a movie studio makes his crime more egregious.”
The Revenant's overall box office haul was $533 million (£410m) while The Peanuts Movie's takings are at $246.2 million (£189m).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments