The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Lancaster man pleads guilty to illegally distributing hit films online

by City News Service • March 30, 2016

LOS ANGELES – A Lancaster man pleaded guilty Wednesday  to copyright infringement for illegally posting screener versions of triple Oscar winner “The Revenant” and “The Peanuts Movie” to a file-sharing website.

As a result of the illegal upload, more than 1 million people were able to download “The Revenant,” which caused Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. to suffer losses of well over $1 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

William Kyle Morarity, who used the screen name “clutchit,” admitted the criminal conduct in a plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

He pleaded guilty to uploading copyrighted work being prepared for commercial distribution, a felony offense that carries a sentence of up to three years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson set a June 13 sentencing hearing.

An attorney for Morarity could not immediately be reached.

Morarity, 31, obtained the screeners without authorization while at work on a studio lot, according to his plea agreement.

Morarity copied the screeners onto a portable drive and uploaded the movies from his home computer on Dec. 17 and 19 to a BitTorrent website called Pass the Popcorn, which allowed downloading via a peer-to-peer network, according to court documents.

“The Revenant” was uploaded six days prior to its limited release in theaters.

Eileen M. Decker, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, said the “entertainment industry is the economic cornerstone of the Central District of California. Therefore, my office is committed to protecting its intellectual property.”

Morarity’s “conduct harmed the very industry that was providing his livelihood as well as the livelihood of others in Southern California,” she said.

Previous related story: AV man charged with illegal distribution of hit films on the Internet

–

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Lancaster

2 comments for "Lancaster man pleads guilty to illegally distributing hit films online"

  1. Eric says

    March 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    The argument that every download is a lost sale is false. The guy is guilty of piracy, out right, but typical Hollywood style fudging of numbers to set a better scene if you will.

    I’d feel worse about the money The Revenant lost if they had actually filmed any of it in California, but sure enough, of the 15 listed filming locations, the closest they ever came was Arizona. I get it though, not like there’s any suitable wilderness in the state.

    • Rusty says

      October 3, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      Lost money, Lets put it this way, people who don’t go to see the movie affect not just the industry but everyone down to the people who work at the movie theater. Loss in ticket sales means less people there, Less views means less staff needed meaning someones hours gets cut and they don’t get paid. While the studios im sure can absorb the loss the people who work the theater will not be able so.

Recent Comments

  • Efrem Zimbalist Jr. on Palmdale authorities apprehend graffiti vandals, including armed suspect: “Michelle, have you spoken to the FBI about Rex?” Aug 27, 11:23
  • Frances on Judge orders arbitration of Allied Security guard’s sexual harassment lawsuit: “Does anyone know any more about this case? This is about someone I know and I believe full heartedly that…” Aug 26, 19:42
  • Lily on Palmdale authorities apprehend graffiti vandals, including armed suspect: “@Michelle Egberts… Hi Michelle, remember Jim? Madalyn and Jim were friends of mine.” Aug 23, 06:47
  • Michelle Egberts on Palmdale authorities apprehend graffiti vandals, including armed suspect: “@ Tim Scott… I couldn’t have said it more eloquently Tim!!! We have to get together and catch up over…” Aug 21, 00:58
  • Mars on Palmdale authorities apprehend graffiti vandals, including armed suspect: “Give Them Cleaning Supplies Clean Up The Graffiti For 3 months Also Have Them Do Community Service As Well Then…” Aug 15, 02:54

Copyright © 2024 · The AV Times LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use

Dear Readers,

After more than a decade of serving the Antelope Valley, we have made the difficult decision to close The Antelope Valley Times. The site will no longer be updated, but all past articles will remain accessible. Thank you for your loyalty and support over the years.

—The AV Times Staff