The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) filed two separate federal lawsuits during the first week of March, against individuals in California and Pennsylvania; each of which are accused of operating illegal internet protocol television (IPTV) services.
The first lawsuit was filed on March 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, on behalf of multiple rights-owners, including ACE members Amazon, Apple, Columbia Pictures, Disney, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Bros (plaintiffs); against Zachary Adam-Layne DeBarr, iLockSports LLC and ten “John Does,” the alleged operators of Outer Limits IPTV and Outer Limits Hosting, based in southern California. DeBarr also sold access to other illegal services, including Nitro TV and Glitch TV.
By 2024, DeBarr’s infringing domains were bringing in about 30,000 monthly visits, not including hits by third party media players. Outer Limits offers subscribers more than 4,000 live channels through its IPTV service, as well as more than 13,000 movies and more than 3,000 television series through its VOD service
The studios had tried since as far back as 2020 to get DeBarr to stop infringing without the need for court intervention. At that time, DeBarr charged $20/month and $200/year for subscription packages. He also promoted it through his YouTube channel iTrustStream to more than 100,000 of those subscribers.
While Plaintiffs were attempting to engage with DeBarr, Outer Limits temporarily went offline but later resumed service despite Plaintiffs’ clear notice to DeBarr. In May 2024, Plaintiffs again tried to resolve this matter with DeBarr directly to avoid further escalation. Plaintiffs made numerous attempts to contact DeBarr in person, over the phone, by email, and through mail delivery, but to no avail.
While a total amount was not specified in the Complaint, a seven-page list of movie titles was included with the Complaint. The plaintiff studios are entitled to statutory damages, up to the maximum amount of $150,000 per infringed work by virtue of Defendants’ willful infringement, or for such other amounts as may be proper under 17 U.S.C. § 504 (plus attorneys fees and other costs). In addition, the defendants are liable for infringement by third-party subscribers, and for infringing reproduction rights for the copyrighted works.
DeBarr had not obtained licenses to distribute the copyrighted programming, which the studios monetize through agreements with distributors, on physical media, and via direct-to-consumer streaming services. A trial by jury was requested for the DeBarr matter.
Pennsylvania case
The second case was filed by ACE members Amazon Content Services, Columbia Pictures, Disney, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal and Warner Bros. against Brandon Weibley and ten “John Does” for infringing streaming services Shrugs and Zing, operating at the domain vonwik.com, previously operating at the domain beastmodebuilds.com.
Weibley’s history goes back at least as far as 2017, when he operated and sold subscriptions to the infringing streaming services Beast Mode Live, BTV, Viking Media, and GreenWing Media.
In December 2023, Plaintiffs contacted Weibley and demanded that he cease his infringing activities. Rather than comply, Weibley moved the illegal services to a different domain, vonwik.com, and began operating under the names Shrugs and Zing which – at the time the Complaint was filed on March 4 – provided access to more than 9,000 pirated channels, featuring television series and movies, international content and live sports events.
The Plaintiffs filed the same three claims and demanded the same remedies against Weibley et-al Pennsylvania case that they have with the DeBarr California case.
Further reading
ACE files copyright infringement lawsuits in U.S. against operators of illegal IPTV services. Press release. March 4, 2025. Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), The Motion Picture Association.
Amazon Content Services LLC (et al, Plaintiffs) vs. Zachary Adam-Layne DeBarr; iLockSports LLC; and Does 1-10 d/b/a outerlimitsiptv.com and outerlimitshosting.net, Defendants. Case No. 2:25-cv-01841. Filed Marcy 4, 3035. US District Court for the Central District of California.
Amazon Content Services, (et al, plaintiffs); vs Brandon Weibley and ten “John Does” d/b/a bestmodebuilds.com and vonwik.com, Defendants. Case No. 1:25-cv-00388. Filed Marcy 4, 3035. US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Why it matters
A 2023 study produced by the Motion Picture Association which was cited in the California complaint describes the stakes “Mass copyright infringement is a worldwide problem that seriously harms Plaintiffs, the U.S. economy, and economies around the globe. Plaintiffs and their affiliates are producers and distributors of filmed entertainment in the theatrical, television, and streaming industries, and they create many of the world’s most popular and critically acclaimed movies and television shows. Beyond their inherent artistic and entertainment value, these copyrighted works contribute substantially to the U.S. economy. The American film and television industry alone supports 2.4 million jobs, pays out $186 billion in total wages, and comprises more than 122,000 businesses in all 50 states (92% of which are small businesses employing fewer than ten people).”
