AXXo

aXXo is the Internet alias of an individual or group, known for infringing copyrights by converting commercial DVD movies into computer files that are then uploaded on the Internet for free download. Due to the illegality of these actions, aXXo's background is unknown, despite numerous attempts to uncover its real identity.

Identity

aXXo is the Internet alias of an individual or group.cite web |date=2008-05-29|url = http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/05/29/stories/2008052950930400.htm|title = The Axxo effect |work = The Hindu| accessdate = 2008-09-07 | last= RAJIV. M] Its identity is not publicly known so as to make it difficult for authorities to track it down. A number of individuals have claimed to be, or had their name attached to, aXXo.

In a purported interview, aXXo describes himself as one man acting alone, and that he is a teenager. It has been suggested that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is waiting for aXXo to reach the age of 18 to more effectively prosecute him than if he were a minor. [cite web|accessdate=2008-09-18|url=http://thelink.concordia.ca/view.php?aid=40458|title=The revolution will be streamed online |work=The Link|author=Chinien, Alex ]

Imitators

Because of 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 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 open alleged AVI format files. Other fake files encourage the user to register on dubious websites or require the user install the DomPlayer software. Fake files might also contain malware being capable of retrieving the IP address of its user's computer.cite web |date=2007-04-28|url = http://torrentfreak.com/axxo-torrents-exploited-by-malware-peddlers/|title = aXXo Torrents Exploited by Malware Peddlers|publisher = TorrentFreak| accessdate = 2008-01-13 | last=enigmax]

Piracy

aXXo is known for infringing copyrights by converting commercial DVD movies into computer files that are then uploaded on the Internet for free download.cite web |date=2007-07-12|url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/digital-music/pirates-like-us/2007/07/11/1183833529685.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2|title = Going for a song|work = The Age| accessdate = 2008-01-13 | author= Cincotta, Katie] On file sharing websites, aXXo files attract a large following because of their relatively small filesize, ease of download and use, and their consistent quality due to their very reliable and synchronous encoding;cite web |date=August 2008|url = http://www.dv.com/columns/columns_item.php?articleId=196604239|title = Click To Play: Why Silverlight Matters|publisher = DV Digital Video magazine| accessdate = 2008-08-20 | author= Johnson, Nels] over a million people download these files every month.cite web |date=2007-03-11|url = http://torrentfreak.com/interview-axxo-the-most-popular-dvd-ripper-on-bittorrent/|title = Interview: aXXo, The Most Popular DVD Ripper on BitTorrent|publisher = TorrentFreak| accessdate = 2008-01-13 | last=Ernesto] Files released by aXXo typically follow the naming convention "Movie Name [Special Info "(where applicable)"] [Year Of Release] DvDrip-aXXo" and carry in an attached file: "Be aware of bogus sites and lamers, download your aXXo files from aXXo accounts. Enjoy!"cite web |date= 2008-06-06|url = http://www.mininova.org/tor/1508553 |title = Example: 21 2008 DvDrip-aXXo |publisher = Mininova |accessdate = 2008-08-23]

In November 2007, a dispute between aXXo and The Pirate Bay about how to best handle MPAA meddling caused aXXo to delete all aXXo files released after September 7, 2006 on The Pirate Bay on November 7, 2007.cite web |date= 2007-11-07 |url = http://torrentfreak.com/axxo-pirate-bay-rift-071107/|title = Alleged MPAA Harassment Causes aXXo / Pirate Bay Rift |publisher = TorrentFreak| accessdate = 2008-08-22 | alast=enigmax] This coincided with aXXo taking a break of a few months. In aXXo's absence a new ripper identity by the name of '"klaxxon" emerged in file sharing communities on November 8, 2007. The name klaxxon appears to have been inspired by the identity aXXo, and uses aXXo’s popularity to promote klaxxon files in the search results of file sharing websites.cite web |date= 2007-12-20 |url = http://torrentfreak.com/klaxxon-starts-where-axxo-left-off-071220/ |title = Klaxxon Starts Where aXXo Left Off |publisher = TorrentFreak| accessdate = 2008-08-22 | last=Ernesto] Uploads of new aXXo files stopped on November 11, 2007. Three months later, a new aXXo started uploading files again, with the movie "I Am Legend" being the first, on March 9, 2008.cite web |date= 2008-03-09 |url = http://torrentfreak.com/axxo-returns-legend-080309/|title = The BitTorrent Legend Returns: I Am aXXo |publisher = TorrentFreak| accessdate = 2008-01-21 | last=Ernesto ]

ee also

* Ethics of file sharing
* File sharing and the law
* Legal issues with BitTorrent

References