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aXXo

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aXXo
File:Axxo art.png
Visual of a typical .nfo file included in a movie release.
Years active2005 – March 11, 2009
Known forCopyright infringement

aXXo is the Internet alias of an individual[1][2] allegedly harassed by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for copyright infringement. aXXo became popular for releasing commercial DVD movies on the Internet as free downloads.[3] The resulting files can in turn be easily distributed through the internet and be viewed instantly on a computer.[4]

aXXo files are popular among the file sharing community using peer-to-peer file sharing protocols such as BitTorrent. Eric Garland, the CEO of download-tracking firm BigChampagne, found that 33.5% of movies downloaded, during a random sampling, were aXXo torrents.[5] The aXXo files gained popularity due to the fact that aXXo produces files of comparatively small size and consistent file format. File sizes are approximately 700 MB – the same size as a Compact Disc.[5] Because of aXXo's reputation for re-encoded quality, the aXXo name is sometimes faked as an identifying source by a variety of imitators.[5]

Identity

aXXo's identity is not publicly known so as to make it difficult for authorities to track him down.

In a purported interview of a person claiming to be aXXo, he describes himself as a single individual who has been ripping DVDs since he was a teenager.[6] It has been suggested that the MPAA is waiting for aXXo to reach the age of 18 to more effectively prosecute him than if he were a minor.[2][1]

Imitators

Due to its popularity in the file sharing 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 file sharing websites. 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. Downloading a faked file, or group of files, results in data containing typically useless and potentially malicious data. The type of maliciously fake files include RAR format files that require the user to download a trojan virus disguised as a codec needed to view associated AVI format files. Other fake files encourage the user to register on dubious websites or require the user install the DomPlayer software. Fake files may also contain malware with the capability to send the IP address of the user's computer to a private server.[7][8]

History

The aXXo name first appeared in November 2005 on the message board 'Darkside_RG'.[9]

In November 2007, aXXo deleted all of his files released after September 7, 2006 from The Pirate Bay, protesting that the site would allow harassing comments to be added to his torrents by "possible members of MPAA".[3] While past aXXo torrents remained available on other torrent sites, uploads of new aXXo files stopped on November 11, 2007.[3][1] After an absence of three months aXXo returned to uploading, starting with the movie I Am Legend on March 9, 2008.[1][10][11]

On December 15, 2008, aXXo's thousandth movie upload, a copy of the Kiefer Sutherland horror film Mirrors, appeared on an internet forum for the Darkside Release Group.[12]

On March 11, 2009, aXXo stopped uploading after releasing Punisher: War Zone.[13]
There are rumors that aXXo is currently in police custody.

aXXo converts commercial DVD movies into approximately 700 MB .avi files which are then used to create a .torrent file that is uploaded to Bittorrent Trackers allowing the movie to be downloaded.[14] On file sharing websites, aXXo files attract a large following, with over a million users downloading aXXo files each month.[6] Files released by aXXo follow the naming convention "name.of.movie[year]DvDrip[Eng]-aXXo.avi"[15] where "DvDrip[Eng]" implies it was ripped from an English-language disc and "avi" refers to the resulting file format. The video is encoded according to the MPEG-4 ASP standard, compatible with the Xvid codec. The aXXo postings also carry a .nfo file about the movie and an attached text file that states, in part: "Be aware of bogus sites and lamers, download your aXXo files from aXXo accounts. Enjoy!"

Some users from the Warez scene believe aXXo just re-encodes movies which have already been leaked.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d RAJIV. M (2008-05-29). "The Axxo effect". The Hindu. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  2. ^ a b c enigmax (2007-11-07). "Alleged MPAA Harassment Causes aXXo / Pirate Bay Rift". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 2008-08-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |alast= ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "torrentfreak_Nov2007" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ Null, Christopher. "How To: Convert DVD Files to AVI". Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  4. ^ a b c Josh Levin (Nov 12, 2008). "AXXo You Are a God" (HTML). Slate. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  5. ^ a b Ernesto (2007-03-11). "Interview: aXXo, The Most Popular DVD Ripper on BitTorrent". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  6. ^ enigmax (2007-04-28). "aXXo Torrents Exploited by Malware Peddlers". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  7. ^ Ümit Öncel (2007-03-16). "Torrent'te sahte aXXo dosyaları furyası..." (in Turkish). Chip Online. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  8. ^ "Scene stealer: The aXXo file". The Independent. 2008-12-29. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  9. ^ Ernesto (2008-03-09). "The BitTorrent Legend Returns: I Am aXXo". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  10. ^ "Return of the "aXXo" Legend!". ITNation India. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  11. ^ Tim Walker (Jan 05, 2009). "Hunting aXXo - pirate king of the Torrents, enemy of Hollywood" (HTML). New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2009-01-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Ernesto (2009-03-31). "O aXXo, Where Art Thou?". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 2009-05-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |alast= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Cincotta, Katie (2007-07-12). "Going for a song". The Age. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  14. ^ enigmax. "aXXo Torrents Exploited by Malware Peddlers". TorrentFreak. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  15. ^ Thomas Widmer (2009-03-18). "Ja, ich bin ein Internetpirat!" (in German). Tagesan Zeiger. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
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