MediaSentry

MediaSentry was a United States company specializing in online copyright-enforcement and anti-piracy services for organizations in the music recording, motion picture, television, and software industries. Founded by Aaron Fessler in Morristown, New Jersey, on 1 February 2001, the company developed investigative and monitoring services intended to identify Internet users and network addresses associated with the alleged unauthorized sharing or distribution of copyrighted works. Its activities covered several parts of the digital-distribution ecosystem. MediaSentry monitored popular online forums and peer-to-peer or other network activity for material that rights holders considered infringing. It also supported litigation by collecting information that could be used in legal actions, assisted with early detection of pre-release leaks, and distributed decoy files designed to help identify or disrupt unauthorized exchanges. In addition, the company monitored online auction marketplaces, including eBay, for suspected unauthorized sales or distribution of software and other intellectual property. MediaSentry’s best-known customers included industry trade associations such as the Motion Picture Association of America and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Its work placed it within the broader enforcement campaigns pursued by entertainment and software-rights organizations during the expansion of peer-to-peer file sharing and other online distribution channels in the 2000s. The company changed ownership several times. SafeNet acquired MediaSentry on 13 June 2005. SafeNet later sold the MediaSentry division to ARTISTdirect in April 2009. During 2009, the company’s relationship with the Recording Industry Association of America became a matter of public attention after the RIAA ended its use of MediaSentry in January for reasons that were not disclosed. In August of that year, ARTISTdirect reorganized MediaSentry together with MediaDefender under a new entity called Peer Media Technologies. This restructuring marked the end of MediaSentry as an independently presented operating brand. MediaSentry also became involved in controversies concerning investigative methods and privacy. In late 2007, the University of Oregon, represented by Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers, declined to provide student information sought in connection with an RIAA investigation and questioned the tactics attributed to MediaSentry. In 2008, Central Michigan University accused the company of violating student privacy after asserting that MediaSentry continued operating without a private-investigator license despite a ruling that it was doing so illegally. These disputes contributed to criticism of third-party online anti-piracy monitoring and the legal boundaries surrounding the collection and use of identifying information. The available reference material does not establish a current standalone MediaSentry operation, product catalog, website, public-company status, or present-day owner. The brand is therefore treated as defunct following its integration into Peer Media Technologies.

MediaSentry was established on 1 February 2001 by Aaron Fessler in Morristown, New Jersey. It emerged during a period when record labels, film studios, television companies, and software publishers were seeking specialized ways to address unauthorized digital copying and distribution. Rather than operating as a consumer media brand, MediaSentry functioned as a service provider for rights holders and industry associations. The company’s work centered on identifying Internet activity that clients believed involved copyright infringement. Its services included monitoring online forums and network activity, supporting litigation, detecting leaks before or around the release of commercial material, and distributing decoy files to assist investigations. MediaSentry also watched auction platforms such as eBay for suspected unauthorized distribution of software and other protected property. Its customers included prominent trade organizations, among them the Motion Picture Association of America and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. On 13 June 2005, SafeNet acquired MediaSentry. The transaction placed the company within a larger technology and security organization while preserving its focus on online enforcement services. MediaSentry’s methods later drew scrutiny in disputes involving educational institutions and student data. In late 2007, the University of Oregon, acting through Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers, declined to provide student information sought in an RIAA investigation and questioned the tactics used by the company. In 2008, Central Michigan University accused MediaSentry of violating student privacy and alleged that the company had continued operating without a private-investigator license after a ruling that its operation was unlawful. SafeNet sold the MediaSentry division to ARTISTdirect in April 2009. In January of the same year, the RIAA ended its use of MediaSentry for reasons that were not disclosed in the available account. ARTISTdirect subsequently restructured MediaSentry and MediaDefender in August 2009, forming Peer Media Technologies. This reorganization effectively absorbed the MediaSentry brand into a broader anti-piracy technology business. The available reference material does not identify a later independent MediaSentry operation, current website, or continuing product line.

• 2009

  RIAA ends its use of MediaSentry

  [1]MediaSentryen.wikipedia.org

  The RIAA canceled its use of MediaSentry in January for undisclosed reasons.

• 2009

  Peer Media Technologies is created

  [1]MediaSentryen.wikipedia.org

  ARTISTdirect reorganized MediaSentry and MediaDefender in August, creating Peer Media Technologies.

• 2008

  Central Michigan University raises licensing and privacy objections

  [1]MediaSentryen.wikipedia.org

  Central Michigan University accused MediaSentry of privacy violations and of operating without a required private-investigator license.

• 2007

  University of Oregon disputes information request

  [1]MediaSentryen.wikipedia.org

  The University of Oregon declined to provide student information connected with an RIAA investigation and questioned MediaSentry's investigative tactics.

• 2005

  Acquisition by SafeNet

  [1]MediaSentryen.wikipedia.org

  SafeNet acquired MediaSentry on 13 June.

• 2001

  MediaSentry is founded

  [1]MediaSentryen.wikipedia.org

  Aaron Fessler founded MediaSentry in Morristown, New Jersey, on 1 February.

A specialized business-to-business copyright-enforcement and digital anti-piracy provider serving entertainment, recording, and software-rights organizations.

• Monitoring service

  Online copyright monitoring

  MediaSentry monitored popular forums and online networks for files, links, or exchanges that rights holders considered unauthorized. The service was aimed at music, film, television, software, and other protected content, and could provide information used by trade associations and copyright owners in enforcement activity.

• Investigative service

  Litigation support

  The company supplied investigative assistance intended to support copyright litigation. Its work included locating network addresses and collecting information about suspected online sharing activity for organizations pursuing enforcement actions.

• Rights-protection service

  Leak detection

  MediaSentry offered early detection of leaked material, helping clients identify the appearance or circulation of protected recordings, films, television content, software, or related assets before or around commercial release.

• Anti-piracy service

  Decoy-file distribution

  MediaSentry distributed decoy files as part of its efforts to investigate or interfere with unauthorized online exchanges. The available reference does not provide further technical detail about the service.

• Marketplace monitoring

  Auction-site monitoring

  The company monitored auction websites, including eBay, for suspected unauthorized distribution or sale of software and other intellectual property.

• 2008

  Central Michigan University privacy and licensing dispute

  Central Michigan University accused MediaSentry of violating student privacy after the company allegedly disregarded a ruling that it was operating without a private-investigator license.

  Source

• 2007

  University of Oregon information-disclosure dispute

  The University of Oregon, represented by Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers, refused to provide student information in connection with an RIAA investigation and questioned the tactics attributed to MediaSentry.

  Source

Read more

• 2009

  SafeNet sells MediaSentry to ARTISTdirectM&A

  Background

  SafeNet divested the MediaSentry division in the same period that the RIAA ended its use of the service.

  Action taken

  SafeNet sold the MediaSentry division to ARTISTdirect in April 2009.

  Aftermath

  ARTISTdirect later combined MediaSentry with MediaDefender in Peer Media Technologies.

  Source

• 2009

  Reorganization into Peer Media TechnologiesStrategy

  Background

  ARTISTdirect controlled both MediaSentry and MediaDefender and sought to consolidate the related anti-piracy operations.

  Action taken

  In August 2009, ARTISTdirect reorganized the two businesses under Peer Media Technologies.

  Aftermath

  MediaSentry ceased to be presented as an independent operating brand in the available historical account.

  Source

• 2005

  SafeNet acquires MediaSentryM&A

  Background

  MediaSentry had built a business providing online copyright-monitoring and enforcement services to entertainment and software interests.

  Action taken

  SafeNet acquired the company on 13 June 2005.

  Aftermath

  MediaSentry operated as a SafeNet division until its later sale to ARTISTdirect.

  Source

1. 1MediaSentryen.wikipedia.org