Latest news with #StevenHale
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Block-busted: Memphis man pleads guilty to leaking movies online before release
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man is set to be sentenced later this summer for stealing pre-released DVD copies of some blockbuster movies and leaking them online. 37-year-old Steven Hale pleaded guilty to criminal copyright infringement. The Department of Justice says he was working for company in Memphis that manufactured and distributed DVDs and Blu-rays. From 2021 to 2022, he reportedly stole hundreds of pre-release discs that were only for commercial distribution. They included several big names like 'Dune,' 'Black Widow' and 'Godzilla vs Kong.' 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' was copied before the release date, put online, and was downloaded tens of millions of times, prosecutors said, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in losses by the copyright owner, prosecutors said. String of store thefts led to chase in South Memphis; two in custody Hale agreed to make full restitution and return approximately 1,160 stolen DVDs and Blu-rays. Sentencing is set for August 29. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Tennessee man charged in scheme to sell blockbuster movies before release
Tennessee man charged in scheme to sell blockbuster movies before release Show Caption Hide Caption Black Friday: How to score major deals on Disney+, streaming platforms With so many streaming services out there, it can be expensive keeping up with content. Here's how to save money, while enjoying your favorite shows. Problem Solved A Tennessee man who worked at a DVD and Blu-ray company is facing charges for stealing and selling home video releases of films such as "Black Widow" and "Dune" ahead of their public release, prosecutors said. Steven Hale of Memphis faces charges for copyright infringement and moving stolen goods across state lines, the Justice Department announced Friday. Hale ran the scheme from February 2021 to March 2022, exploiting his workplace to share copies of more than 20 popular movies, according to an indictment the department unsealed Friday. One movie the Justice Department said Hale pulled, "Spider-Man: No Way Home," was directly ripped from the Blu-ray, copied and shared online a month before the home release. "Copies of 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' were downloaded tens of millions of times, with an estimated loss to the copyright owner of tens of millions of dollars," the department said. Tennessee man exploited his position for personal gain Court records didn't indicate what company Hale worked for during the scheme. However, prosecutors said he infringed upon several copyrights for the "purposes of commercial advantage and private financial gain." Some major picture studios affected by Hale's scheme included Walt Disney Studios, along with Marvel Studios and Pixar; Universal Pictures and its subsidiaries like Illumination; Warner Brothers Pictures and its affiliates New Line Cinema; Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures; and Paramount Pictures. If convicted of copyright infringement, Hale could face up to five years in prison for each count. For the charge of using the internet to move stolen goods, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Copyright infringements, piracy a problem for the film industry The Justice Department's charges against Hale underscored the long effort by film associations and organizations to take down stolen copies of their movies and stop them from being distributed without permission, known commonly as piracy. The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment filed copyright infringement lawsuits this year against people it believes are running illegal internet protocol TV services, according to a March 4 news release. Members of the alliance include Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Netflix, Walt Disney Studios and others. The group was created to protect studios' intellectual and creative properties. Its lawsuits targeted Zachary DeBarr, who it claims operates the Outer Limits IPTV, and Brandon Weibley, who it said operates at least five IPTVs. "The two unrelated lawsuits allege that DeBarr and Weibley's services facilitate mass copyright infringement by offering unauthorized access to thousands of pirated television channels, movies, and television shows," the group said. Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@ Follow her on X @KrystalRNurse, and on BlueSky @
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Memphis man indicted, accused of selling stolen DVDs, Blu-rays online
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man is facing federal charges after he was accused of stealing DVDs and Blu-rays to sell them online, leading to one film being illegally downloaded millions of times. According to the Department of Justice, 37-year-old Steven Hale has been indicted on two counts of criminal copyright infringement and one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods. Hale was reportedly taken into custody on Thursday. 'Better be careful': Ford Jr. reports to federal court after bribery arrest According to the DOJ, Hale worked at a DVD and Blu-ray manufacturing and distribution company. The DOJ claims that from February 2021 to March 2022, Hale stole 'pre-release' DVDs and Blu-rays for films such as 'Spider-Man: No Way Home', 'Black Widow,' 'Dune,' 'Godzilla vs. Kong,' and 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage.' According to the DOJ, Hale sold the DVDs and Blu-rays through e-commerce sites. The DOJ claims that the Blu-ray for 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' was copied and illegally made available online a month before it was supposed to be released. The DOJ says that copies of 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' were downloaded tens of millions of times, costing the copyright owner tens of millions of dollars. If convicted, Hale faces a maximum of five years in prison on each count of copyright infringement and 10 years in prison for the interstate transportation of stolen goods charge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
