MediaSentry

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MediaSentry is an American company that provides services to the music recording, motion picture, television, and software industries for locating and identifying IP addresses that are engaged in the use of online networks to share material in a manner said organizations claim is in violation of copyright. The company provides several services for this purpose, such as monitoring popular forums for copyright infringement, aid in litigation, early leak detection, flooding torrents via DDoS attacks, and the distribution of decoy files.^[1] Because MediaSentry like MediaDefender uses hacker-style techniques, that interfere with communication this form of DRM has been controversial according to many professionals. In Foundation v. UPC Nederland, MediaSentry's investigative methods were held by an appeals court in the Netherlands to be unreliable [1]. MediaSentry is used by several trade associations including the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, movie studios, software companies, and record labels.

MediaSentry monitors auction sites such as eBay for distribution of pirated software and other property.

On June 13, 2005, Mediasentry was acquired by SafeNet.^[2]

Although the RIAA states that it entered into the agreements with MediaSentry "on behalf of" its members,^[3] it appears that only the 'big four' record companies take advantage of MediaSentry services, as all of the known lawsuits have been brought only by those four companies and their affiliates. The RIAA seeks to keep its agreements with MediaSentry private.^[4] Its arguments have been challenged by defendant Marie Lindor.^[5] The motion was fully briefed and argued on November 30, 2006, and as of this writing the parties are awaiting the Court's decision.

Lindor's lawyer, Ray Beckerman, has now written a MediaSentry lawyers' guide [2] for attorneys planning to contest its findings.

In late 2007 the University of Oregon, represented by Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers, refused to provide information on its students to the RIAA, questioning the tactics used by MediaSentry in its investigation.^[6]

In early 2008, allegations surfaced that MediaSentry may be operating illegally in some states, due to the possible lack of a state license needed to conduct investigations.^[7]