AXXo
Encyclopedia
aXXo is the Internet
alias of an individual who became popular for releasing commercial DVD
movies on the Internet as free downloads. The resulting files can in turn be easily distributed through the internet and be viewed instantly on a computer.
aXXo files are popular among the file sharing
community using peer-to-peer
file sharing protocols
such as BitTorrent. Eric Garland, the CEO of download-tracking firm BigChampagne
, found that 33.5% of movies downloaded, during a random sampling, were aXXo torrents. The aXXo files gained popularity because aXXo produces files of comparatively small size, with a consistent file format. File sizes are approximately 700 MB – the same size as a Compact Disc
. Because of aXXo's reputation for re-encoded quality, the aXXo name is sometimes faked as an identifying source by a variety of imitators.
, the pseudonym
aXXo is falsely assumed by a variety of individuals and groups to mimic the source identity as a disguise for their own uploads on file sharing websites. A portion of such decoys is made available by a range of companies in the field of copyright enforcement, such as BayTSP
, MediaDefender
, or MediaSentry, with the aim of constricting illegal Internet traffic. These faked files, or groups of files, would normally contain useless or potentially malicious data. The type of maliciously fake files include RAR format files that require the user to download a trojan
disguised as a codec
needed to view associated AVI format files
. Other fake files encourage the user to register on dubious websites or require the user install the DomPlayer software. Fake files may also contain malware
with the capability to send the IP address
of the user's computer to a private server.
For years aXXo has been warning followers to “beware of bogus sites and lamers” in the .NFO files which accompany his torrents, such as axxotorrents.com.
In November 2007, aXXo deleted all of his files released after September 7, 2006 from The Pirate Bay
, protesting that the site would allow harassing comments to be added to his torrents by "possible members of MPAA". While past aXXo torrents remained available on other torrent sites, uploads of new aXXo files stopped on November 11, 2007. After an absence of four months aXXo returned to uploading, starting with the movie I Am Legend
on March 9, 2008.
On December 15, 2008, aXXo's thousandth movie upload, a copy of the Kiefer Sutherland
horror film Mirrors
, appeared on an internet forum for the Darkside Release Group.
On March 11, 2009, aXXo stopped uploading new files after releasing Punisher: War Zone
. For a while he logged into Mininova
until the site switched to only hosting torrents that were Content Distribution free or torrents with no copyrights.
On April 19, 2009 aXXo made his last known comment on Message Board "Darkside_RG", in response to rumors that he had stopped posting on Darkside_RG. He states: "I can only say a big thank you for your appreciation mates, hope you all enjoy the darkside as much as you can My home is my beloved Darkside and as I've said so many times before on each of my torrents.... Be aware of bogus sites and lamers See ya."
movies into approximately 700 MB .avi files which are then used to create a .torrent file that is uploaded to Bittorrent Tracker
s allowing the movie to be downloaded. On file sharing
websites, aXXo files attract a large following, with over a million users downloading aXXo files each month. Files released by aXXo follow the naming convention "Name.Of.Movie[year]DvDrip[Eng]-aXXo.avi" where "DvDrip[Eng]" implies it was ripped from an English-language disc and "avi
" refers to the resulting file format. The video is encoded according to the MPEG-4 ASP standard, compatible with the Xvid
codec. The aXXo postings also carry a .nfo file about the movie and an attached text file that states, in part: "Be aware of bogus sites and lamers, download your aXXo files from aXXo accounts. Enjoy!"
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
alias of an individual who became popular for releasing commercial DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
movies on the Internet as free downloads. The resulting files can in turn be easily distributed through the internet and be viewed instantly on a computer.
aXXo files are popular among the file sharing
File sharing
File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia , documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented through a variety of ways...
community using peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
file sharing protocols
Communications protocol
A communications protocol is a system of digital message formats and rules for exchanging those messages in or between computing systems and in telecommunications...
such as BitTorrent. Eric Garland, the CEO of download-tracking firm BigChampagne
BigChampagne
BigChampagne Media Measurement is a technology-driven media measurement company. The company produces popular music, film and television charts which have been syndicated by Nielsen, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly, among others....
, found that 33.5% of movies downloaded, during a random sampling, were aXXo torrents. The aXXo files gained popularity because aXXo produces files of comparatively small size, with a consistent file format. File sizes are approximately 700 MB – the same size as a Compact Disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
. Because of aXXo's reputation for re-encoded quality, the aXXo name is sometimes faked as an identifying source by a variety of imitators.
Identity
In a purported interview of a person claiming to be aXXo, he describes himself as a single individual who has been ripping DVDs since he was a teenager.Imitators
Due to its popularity in the file sharing subcultureSubculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
, the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
aXXo is falsely assumed by a variety of individuals and groups to mimic the source identity as a disguise for their own uploads on file sharing websites. A portion of such decoys is made available by a range of companies in the field of copyright enforcement, such as BayTSP
BayTSP
Irdeto Intelligence is a copyright enforcement company based in Los Gatos, California. Irdeto Intelligence was formed by CEO Mark M. Ishikawa and offers defensive services to owners of intellectual property concerned about potential unauthorized distribution through the Internet...
, MediaDefender
Mediadefender
MediaDefender, Inc. is a company that offers services designed to prevent alleged copyright infringement using peer-to-peer distribution. They are controversial because of their use of unusual tactics such as flooding peer-to-peer networks with decoy files that tie up users' computers and...
, or MediaSentry, with the aim of constricting illegal Internet traffic. These faked files, or groups of files, would normally contain useless or potentially malicious data. The type of maliciously fake files include RAR format files that require the user to download a trojan
Trojan horse (computing)
A Trojan horse, or Trojan, is software that appears to perform a desirable function for the user prior to run or install, but steals information or harms the system. The term is derived from the Trojan Horse story in Greek mythology.-Malware:A destructive program that masquerades as a benign...
disguised as a codec
Codec
A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...
needed to view associated AVI format files
Audio Video Interleave
Audio Video Interleave , known by its acronym AVI, is a multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft in November 1992 as part of its Video for Windows technology. AVI files can contain both audio and video data in a file container that allows synchronous audio-with-video playback...
. Other fake files encourage the user to register on dubious websites or require the user install the DomPlayer software. Fake files may also contain malware
Malware
Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...
with the capability to send the IP address
IP address
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing...
of the user's computer to a private server.
For years aXXo has been warning followers to “beware of bogus sites and lamers” in the .NFO files which accompany his torrents, such as axxotorrents.com.
History
The aXXo name first appeared in November 2005 on the message board "Darkside_RG".In November 2007, aXXo deleted all of his files released after September 7, 2006 from The Pirate Bay
The Pirate Bay
The Pirate Bay is a Swedish website which hosts magnet links and .torrent files, which allow users to share electronic files, including multimedia, computer games and software via BitTorrent...
, protesting that the site would allow harassing comments to be added to his torrents by "possible members of MPAA". While past aXXo torrents remained available on other torrent sites, uploads of new aXXo files stopped on November 11, 2007. After an absence of four months aXXo returned to uploading, starting with the movie I Am Legend
I Am Legend (film)
I Am Legend is a 2007 post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith. It is the third feature film adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel of the same name, following 1964's The Last Man on Earth and 1971's The Omega Man. Smith plays virologist Robert...
on March 9, 2008.
On December 15, 2008, aXXo's thousandth movie upload, a copy of the Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland is an English-born Canadian actor, producer and director, best known for his portrayal of Jack Bauer on the Fox thriller drama series 24 for which he has won an Emmy Award , a Golden Globe award , two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Satellite...
horror film Mirrors
Mirrors (film)
Mirrors is a 2008 horror film directed by Alexandre Aja, and stars Kiefer Sutherland. The film was first titled Into the Mirror, but the name was later changed to Mirrors...
, appeared on an internet forum for the Darkside Release Group.
On March 11, 2009, aXXo stopped uploading new files after releasing Punisher: War Zone
Punisher: War Zone
Punisher: War Zone is a 2008 comic book action film directed by Lexi Alexander; based on the fictional Marvel Comics vigilante/anti-hero the Punisher. It is the third film to depict the Marvel character Frank Castle...
. For a while he logged into Mininova
Mininova
Mininova is a website offering BitTorrent downloads. Mininova was once one of the largest sites offering torrents of copyrighted material, but in November 2009, following legal action in the Dutch courts, the site operators deleted all torrent files uploaded by regular users including torrents that...
until the site switched to only hosting torrents that were Content Distribution free or torrents with no copyrights.
On April 19, 2009 aXXo made his last known comment on Message Board "Darkside_RG", in response to rumors that he had stopped posting on Darkside_RG. He states: "I can only say a big thank you for your appreciation mates, hope you all enjoy the darkside as much as you can My home is my beloved Darkside and as I've said so many times before on each of my torrents.... Be aware of bogus sites and lamers See ya."
Release information
aXXo converts commercial DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
movies into approximately 700 MB .avi files which are then used to create a .torrent file that is uploaded to Bittorrent Tracker
BitTorrent tracker
A BitTorrent tracker is a server that assists in the communication between peers using the BitTorrent protocol. It is also, in the absence of extensions to the original protocol, the only major critical point, as clients are required to communicate with the tracker to initiate downloads...
s allowing the movie to be downloaded. On file sharing
File sharing
File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia , documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented through a variety of ways...
websites, aXXo files attract a large following, with over a million users downloading aXXo files each month. Files released by aXXo follow the naming convention "Name.Of.Movie[year]DvDrip[Eng]-aXXo.avi" where "DvDrip[Eng]" implies it was ripped from an English-language disc and "avi
Audio Video Interleave
Audio Video Interleave , known by its acronym AVI, is a multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft in November 1992 as part of its Video for Windows technology. AVI files can contain both audio and video data in a file container that allows synchronous audio-with-video playback...
" refers to the resulting file format. The video is encoded according to the MPEG-4 ASP standard, compatible with the Xvid
XviD
Xvid is a video codec library following the MPEG-4 standard, specifically MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile . It uses ASP features such as b-frames, global and quarter pixel motion compensation, lumi masking, trellis quantization, and H.263, MPEG and custom quantization matrices.Xvid is a...
codec. The aXXo postings also carry a .nfo file about the movie and an attached text file that states, in part: "Be aware of bogus sites and lamers, download your aXXo files from aXXo accounts. Enjoy!"
External links
- aXXo related articles at TorrentFreak