In a major legal victory against online piracy, several domain names associated with the Japanese adult pirate site MissAV were recently redirected to seizure banners. Initially, the basis for these confiscations was unclear, but new information has confirmed that the action stems from a U.S. federal court order. Alongside losing their domain names, the defendants in the case have been ordered to pay $4.5 million in damages.

MissAV: A Major Player in Online Piracy

With billions of annual visits, MissAV ranked among the top 60 most-visited websites on the internet. For years, the platform operated with minimal interference. However, this changed dramatically when key domains, including MissAV.com and ThisAV.com, were seized.

Initially, there was uncertainty about the permanence of these domain takedowns, as they briefly became accessible again. However, a statement from Japanese adult entertainment producer Will Co. LTD confirmed that the seizures were backed by a U.S. federal court ruling.

Legal Battle and Jurisdiction Challenges

Will Co. filed a lawsuit against multiple foreign defendants, including Ka Yeung Lee, Youhaha Marketing, Promotion Limited, and several anonymous individuals, holding them accountable for copyright infringement on MissAV.com, ThisAV.com, and related domains.

Early in the case, the defendants argued that the U.S. court had no jurisdiction over them, as they were primarily linked to Hong Kong. However, the Washington District Court rejected this claim and proceeded with the lawsuit.

$4.5 Million Default Judgment and Domain Seizure

After the defendants ceased responding to court proceedings, Will Co. requested a default judgment. The company initially sought $45 million in damages, based on $150,000 per instance of infringement across 300 works. However, the court ultimately awarded a reduced but still significant sum of $4.5 million.

A Warning to Other Pirate Sites

Anti-piracy firm Battleship Stance, which played a key role in enforcing the court order, views the ruling as a significant step forward in the fight against digital piracy.

“We are pleased with this ruling, which not only delivers justice for Will Co. but also strengthens the position of creators in their fight against international piracy,” said Jason Tucker, president of Battleship Stance.

He emphasized that the U.S. court’s decision reinforces the idea that rightsholders can take effective legal action against non-compliant pirate sites worldwide. “The transfer of these domains sends a clear message to pirate operators that they risk losing their assets when they steal content.”

Spencer Freeman, lead counsel for the plaintiff, echoed this sentiment. “This case sets a precedent for stronger enforcement of U.S. copyright laws against foreign entities. It underscores the importance of pursuing legal action across borders to protect intellectual property rights globally.”

The Fight Continues as MissAV Relocates

Despite the legal win, MissAV has not been fully shut down. The site has already reemerged under a new .ws domain, continuing operations without acknowledgment of its legal troubles.

Jason Tucker confirmed that Battleship Stance is aware of these new domains and is actively pursuing additional legal measures to prevent further piracy.

For now, Will Co. is celebrating its victory, and this case could serve as a model for future lawsuits against similar pirate operations. With the success of this legal strategy, other rightsholders may follow suit in targeting pirate sites through domain seizures and financial penalties.