The Hateful Eight leak traced to Point Break producer
DVD screener was apparently signed for by an office assistant
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Your support makes all the difference.The FBI has traced the pirated upload of Quentin Tarantino’s new film The Hateful Eight back to a preview screener sent to Point Break remake producer and Alcon Entertainment co-CEO Andrew Kosove.
The leak is a huge blow to the Weinstein Company, given that the movie has yet to even reach cinemas.
“The screener copy of ‘The Hateful Eight’ that was sent to me at Alcon Entertainment never touched my hands nor was I aware that it had been delivered,” Kosove said in a statement.
“In addition to cooperating with the FBI, we are going to conduct our own investigation to find out what happened. Piracy is a threat to our entire industry and as filmmakers we will not tolerate such illegal and despicable behavior.”
Tarantino’s eighth movie is scheduled for a Christmas Day release alongside Fox’s The Revenant. Both have leaked on streaming sites.
Piracy group Hive-CM8 claimed responsibility for the Hateful Eight leak, writing: “DVDScreener 1 of 40. Will do them all one after each other, started with the hottest title of this year, the rest will follow.”
According to Variety, the FBI were able to trace the leak to Kosove by a watermark on the DVD. An Alcon office assistant apparently signed for it.
The tide of Oscar contenders that have popped up online the year will surely force the studios to rethink how it sends out previews to voters in future.
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