COMPLAINT Page 1 of 9

Carl D. Crowell, OSB No. 982049

email: carl@crowell-law.com

Drew P. Taylor, OSB No. 135974

email: drew@crowell-law.com

CROWELL LAW

P.O. Box 923

Salem, OR 97308

(503) 581-1240

Of attorneys for plaintiffs

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF OREGON

EUGENE DIVISION

GLACIER FILMS (USA), INC., and

GLACIER FILMS 1, LLC,

Plaintiffs,

v.

DOE-24.20.233.254,

Defendant.

 Case No.: 6:15-cv-00977

COMPLAINT

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 

COMPLAINT

Plaintiffs Glacier Films (USA), Inc., and Glacier Films 1, LLC, complain and allege as 

follows:

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. This is a suit for copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq. (“The Copyright 

Act”).

2. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a).

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3. Venue in this district is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) and 28 U.S.C. § 1400(a) 

as the defendant is believed to reside in this district.

PARTIES

PLAINTIFFS

4. Plaintiff Glacier Films (USA), Inc., is a Delaware Corporation, a producer of motion 

pictures and a producer of American Heist.

5. Plaintiff Glacier Films 1, LLC, is a Louisiana Limited Liability Company and a motion 

picture production company.

6. Plaintiffs, Glacier Films (USA), Inc., and Glacier Films 1, LLC, (generally referenced as 

“plaintiffs” or “Glacier” herein) are each holders of interests in the motion picture American 

Heist, released in 2015. Each of the plaintiffs are suffering notable and irreparable harm though 

piracy. Plaintiffs come to court seeking relief as the motion picture American Heist is currently 

one of the top downloaded movies though BitTorrent with over 100,000 confirmed infringing 

Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses observed in the United States and thousands of those IP 

addresses believed to be traced to individuals in Oregon. 

The Rights of Glacier

7. American Heist is a notable motion picture that was scheduled for widespread theatrical 

release in North American in January of 2015, but was wrongfully released on BitTorrent and is 

now being widely pirated limiting its ability to gain access to and benefit from conventional 

market outlets. 

8. Glacier Films (USA), Inc. is the registered copyright holder of the completed motion 

picture American Heist, which has been registered with the United States Copyright Office, 

Registration No. PA 1-938-638, 2015.

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9. Glacier Films 1, LLC is the registered copyright holder of the screenplay for American 

Heist, which has been registered with the United States Copyright Office, Registration No. PAu 

3-681-371, 2013.

10. The motion picture and screenplay contain original material that is copyrightable subject 

matter under the laws of the United States.

11. Under The Copyright Act, plaintiffs are the proprietors of copyrights and interests

necessary to being suit.

12. The motion picture is currently offered for sale in commerce.

13. Defendant had notice of plaintiffs’ rights through general publication and advertising and 

more specifically as identified in the content of the motion picture, advertising associated with 

the motion picture, and all packaging and copies, each of which bore a proper copyright notice. 

THE DEFENDANT

14. The defendant identified herein as DOE-24.20.233.254 is currently known only by their 

Internet Protocol (“IP”) Address 24.20.233.254 which on 05/03/2015 at 09:44:32 AM UTC, was 

observed through direct TCP/IP connection as infringing the motion picture.

15. Through geolocation, the IP address used by the defendant has subsequently been traced 

to the State of Oregon.

16. Defendant’s IP address has been observed as associated with the peer-to-peer exchange 

of hundreds of copyrighted titles through the BitTorrent network.

17. The volume and titles of the activity associated with defendant’s IP address indicates that 

the defendant is likely the primary subscriber of the IP address or someone who resides with the 

subscriber, as such activity indicates the defendant is an authorized user of the IP address with 

consistent and permissive access.

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18. The volume and titles of the activity associated with defendant’s IP address indicates that 

the defendant is not a young child.

19. The defendant’s IP address was at that time of observed infringement managed by 

Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) Comcast, who on information and belief, generally assigns an 

IP address to a single party for extended periods of time, often for months, and provides Wi-Fi 

systems with notable pre-installed security and passwords.

20. The records maintained by Comcast should be able to identify either the defendant, or the 

subscriber who contracted with Comcast for service who in turn is likely to have knowledge that

will lead to the identity of the defendant. 

21. Plaintiffs intend to seek initial discovery to subpoena records from Comcast to ascertain 

the true identity of the defendant. 

BACKGROUND

PEER-TO-PEER INTERNET PIRACY

22. Digital piracy, including BitTorrent piracy costs the entertainment industry over $70 

billion per year.

23. As noted by Senator Levin in Congressional hearings on peer-to-peer Internet piracy, “In 

the world of copyright law, taking someone’s intellectual property is a serious offense, 

punishable by large fines. In the real world, violations of copyright law over the Internet are so 

widespread and easy to accomplish that many participants seem to consider it equivalent to 

jaywalking – illegal but no big deal. But it is a big deal. Under U.S. law, stealing intellectual 

property is just that – stealing. It hurts artists, the music industry, the movie industry, and others 

involved in creative work. And it is unfortunate that the software being used – called ‘file 

sharing’ as if it were simply enabling friends to share recipes, is helping create a generation of 

Americans who don’t see the harm.”

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24. In 2013, in recognition of the growing problems and challenges with counterfeiting and 

piracy, The Oregon House of Representatives passed House Memorial 2, which made the 

following findings: 

Whereas the United States and other nations share the challenge of combating 

intellectual piracy and the counterfeiting of intellectual property such as ... films... and 

technologies that affect the quality of life; and

Whereas intellectual piracy and counterfeiting have a significant impact on Oregon's 

economy, and the economies of other states and of nations around the world, which 

results in job and earnings losses, reduced tax revenues and increased threats to public 

health and safety; and

...

Whereas protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights is crucial to the future 

of our innovation-based economy; and

Whereas industries that use intellectual property extensively generate nearly $7.7 

trillion in gross output and account for more than 60 percent of total exports from our 

nation; and

Whereas industries that use intellectual property extensively ... employ more than 19 

million Americans, whose salaries average about 60 percent higher than salaries in 

industries that do not make extensive use of intellectual property; and

Whereas intellectual property infringement can undermine the nation's economic 

security; and

Whereas violations of intellectual property rights, ambiguities in the law and a lack 

of enforcement create uncertainty in the marketplace and in the legal system and 

undermine consumer trust; and

Whereas intellectual property, including trademarks, [are] essential ...; and

...

Whereas failing to adequately protect and enforce intellectual property rights will 

increase counterfeiting and illicit trade; 

...

25. As such it is clear that giving effect to 17 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq., and the enforcement of 

intellectual property rights, and in particular the fight against counterfeiting and piracy are 

critical issues of importance to the both the United States of America and the State of Oregon.

26. Internet piracy, and in particular BitTorrent piracy, though known as peer-to-peer file 

sharing, is often a for-profit business as many software clients, torrent sites and networks which 

promote and facilitate piracy generate millions of dollars in revenue through sales and 

advertising.

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27. To increase the value of the advertising and sometimes subscription access sold by 

torrent sites, many parties work to expand the pool of available titles and speed of downloads 

available by increasing the number of member peers and thus the desirability of their clients and 

networks. To accomplish this they often reward participants who contribute by giving them 

faster download speeds, greater access, or other benefits.

28. Defendant’s participation in the BitTorrent exchange of plaintiffs’ motion picture is the 

type of activity that torrent sites use to promote their business and likely directly furthered the 

for-profit business of at least one torrent site.

29. Many parties, and possibly defendant have been compensated for their participation in 

expanding the availability of pirated content to others through BitTorrent networks, including 

plaintiffs’ movie.

30. The use of BitTorrent does more than cause harm through the simple theft of intellectual 

property. The BitTorrent distribution of pirated files is a model of business that profits from 

theft through sales and advertising and provides a system of rewards and compensation to the 

participants such as the defendant and those working with the defendant, each of whom 

contribute to and further the enterprise. 

31. Based on activity observed associated with defendant’s IP address, defendant is a prolific 

proponent of the BitTorrent distribution system advancing the BitTorrent economy of piracy and 

causing harm to plaintiffs.

FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

32. Defendant, without the permission or consent of plaintiffs, copied and distributed 

plaintiffs’ motion picture through a public BitTorrent network. 

33. Defendant’s actions infringed plaintiffs’ exclusive rights under The Copyright Act. 

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34. Defendant’s conduct has been willful, intentional, in disregard of and indifferent to 

plaintiffs’ rights with the intent to deprive plaintiffs of income and cause plaintiffs harm. 

35. As a direct and proximate result of defendant’s conduct, plaintiffs’ exclusive rights under 

17 U.S.C. § 106 have been violated. 

36. One or more plaintiffs are entitled to damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504 and attorney 

fees and costs pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505.

37. The conduct of defendant is causing and, unless enjoined and restrained by this Court, 

will continue to cause plaintiffs great and irreparable injury. 

38. Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §§ 502 and 503, plaintiffs are entitled to injunctive relief 

prohibiting defendant from further contributing to the infringement of plaintiffs’ copyrights and 

ordering that defendant destroy all copies of and motion picture made in violation of plaintiffs’ 

rights. 

SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF

ALTERNATE THEORY – INDIRECT INFRINGEMENT 

39. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege each of the allegations above.

40. Defendant obtained Internet access through an ISP and knowingly or with willful 

disregard permitted, facilitated and promoted the use of the Internet access for the infringing of 

plaintiffs’ exclusive rights under The Copyright Act by others.

41. Defendant is liable as an indirect or secondary infringer.

42. Defendant’s conduct has been willful, intentional, in disregard of and indifferent to 

plaintiffs’ rights.

43. As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ conduct, plaintiffs’ exclusive rights under 

17 U.S.C. § 106 have been violated.

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44. One or more plaintiffs are entitled to damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504 and attorney 

fees and costs pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505.

45. The conduct of defendant is causing and, unless enjoined and restrained by this Court, 

will continue to cause plaintiffs great and irreparable injury. 

46. Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §§ 502 and 503, plaintiffs are entitled to injunctive relief 

prohibiting defendant from further indirect infringement of its copyrights and ordering that 

defendant destroy all copies of the motion picture made in violation of its rights and take such 

further steps as are necessary to prevent further indirect infringement.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, plaintiffs pray for judgment against defendant as follows:

A. For entry of permanent injunction enjoining defendant from directly, indirectly or 

contributory infringing plaintiffs’ rights, including without limitation by using the 

internet to reproduce or copy plaintiffs’ motion pictures, to distribute plaintiffs’

motion pictures, or to make plaintiffs’ motion pictures available for distribution to 

the public, except pursuant to a lawful license or with the express authority of 

plaintiffs. And further directing defendant to destroy all unauthorized copies of

plaintiffs’ motion pictures;

B. Statutory damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504;

C. For plaintiffs’ reasonable costs and attorney fees pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505; and

D. For such other and further relief as the Court deems proper.

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DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, plaintiffs demand a trial by 

jury.

DATED: June 3, 2015.

Respectfully submitted,

CROWELL LAW

/s/ Drew P. Taylor 

Carl D. Crowell, OSB No. 982049

email: carl@crowell-law.com

Drew P. Taylor, OSB No. 135974

email: drew@crowell-law.com

503-581-1240

Of attorneys for the plaintiffs

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