The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has reached a settlement with the operators of Dragon Box, a so-called ‘fully-loaded Kodi’ box.
On behalf of its members, ACE brought legal action against the defendants for designing, marketing, and selling a computer hardware device and service (known as the Dragon Box) that enabled mass theft and illegal distribution of copyrighted films and television shows.
The case is part of a broader crackdown on the use of a popular software called Kodi, an open-source program that developers can modify with apps and add-ons that allow users to stream video from the web. Though Kodi itself is legal and has legitimate uses, many add-ons stream unauthorised content.
Dragon Media will shut down and pay $14.5 million, according to a proposed judgment and permanent injunction filed in US District Court in Los Angeles.
The defendants, who include Dragon Media president and owner Paul Christoforo and Dragon Box distributor Jeff Williams, will shut down operations within five days of the entry of the settlement, the document said, according to local press reports.
“Today’s legal victory is another significant and positive step in reducing online piracy and supporting creators around the world. ACE is pleased the agreement will ensure the immediate shutdown of the illegal Dragon Box system,” commented Richard VanOrnum, a spokesperson for ACE.
“The theft of creative content is a pervasive threat to the dynamic legal marketplace for movie and television content, and ACE will continue its global efforts to advance creativity.”
The litigation, filed in January of 2018, was the second civil case brought by ACE.
