Zero Tolerance Files Suit Against Web Operator

CHATSWORTH, Calif. - Zero Tolerance has filed a $15 million copyright-infringement lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court against the operators of AdultsAllowed.com.

The suit claims the site operators illegally copied nearly 100 of its video titles, in violation of federal copyright laws.

Officials at AdultsAllowed.com were not available for comment.

“I have said it before, and I will keep saying it until all these pirates listen,” said Greg Alves, Zero Tolerance president. “Zero Tolerance has zero tolerance for piracy and counterfeiting.”

The suit, filed by Clyde DeWitt, the company’s legal counsel since its inception, claims that AdultsAllowed.com permitted the downloading of Zero Tolerance titles without the company’s consent. Zero Tolerance has licensing agreements with other video-on-demand websites.

“It is unfair for our loyal customers for us to stand by and allow this sort of blatant piracy to remain unchecked, not to mention the damage it exacts on our company,” Alves said.

DeWitt said the site is especially harmful to the company because it’s not a streaming site where users can merely watch the videos, but it’s one that allows users to download the material and copy it onto DVD discs if they wished.

“People think counterfeiting in connection with three-dimensional products such as wrist watches, but there is no reason that the anti counterfeiting law cannot be applied to electronic products with equal force,” DeWitt said.

The lawsuit also includes a claim for counterfeiting, which under federal law, allows plaintiffs to collect up to $1 million for each trademark intentionally associated with a counterfeit product.

Zero Tolerance also has a separate copyright infringement lawsuit filed against Florida-based Movixo.