When it comes to piracy, we are used to illegal streaming sites or torrents that broadcast works recorded from the platforms or via a “cam” version recorded in a dark room. Cases of films leaking even before their theatrical release are much rarer, but this is precisely what has been happening for several weeks.
How do hackers do it?
NaNi is the name of the mysterious group unknown to the battalion which released several feature films even before their release in the cinema. On pirate sites, these feature films are stamped “Theater”. Among them, the highly anticipated The Substancewhich stars Demi Moore, was not supposed to be released until November, but was available as early as October 12.
Subsequently, leaks multiplied, including a copy of Terrify 3the sensational horror film. According to TorrentFreakwhich cannot fully confirm this information, the group could connect directly to the Digital Cinema Package (DCP), a container of feature film files used by digital cinemas.
The potential source of NaNi would therefore have privileged access to this secure system. This could be an employee in a cinema or someone operating within the distribution chain. Note also that these packages are generally well encrypted and protected by management systems with keys, which points towards this avenue. In any case, the potential fraudster seems to have managed to exploit a vulnerability.
Studios may be worried
Regardless, the news has not gone unnoticed and some Internet users are positively excited about it. Quoted by our colleagues, one of them is jubilant: “Wait, “Theater”? Like it was ripped from a movie theater’s hard drive? Because if that’s the case, then it’s a sea change for the piracy scene.”.
We can imagine the studios and entertainment giants are on the contrary very annoyed by these leaks. We will have to see if the movement continues in the coming weeks and if the Theater collection is enriched.
As a reminder, the Evo group, well known for its spectacular leaks and now defunct, had launched a rant against rights holders in the past:
Maybe if studios cared a little more about the consumer, there wouldn’t be a lot of piracy on the internet. But they don’t care anymore, what matters is profit, profit and profit. If you’re an average person these days, basically you’re either rich or you’re a loser. It’s Disney+, it’s Netflix, it’s Prime, it’s Paramount+. God knows what else they will invent.
We advise you to read our article dedicated to this subject here.
