Obsession Movie Production sues Does 1-31 in Hawaii over BitTorrent downloads of the film Obsession

The complaint

Obsession Movie Production Inc. v. Does 1-31, No. 1:26-cv-00567-WRP (D. Haw.), was filed October 30, 2026 (15 pages, with Exhibit 1 and a civil cover sheet). The plaintiff is Obsession Movie Production Inc., which the complaint describes as a California corporation. The defendants are Does 1 through 31, whom the complaint identifies only by IP address in Exhibit 1. The complaint demands a jury trial. (Compl. caption, paras. 6, 10, 50; jury demand.)

The work

The complaint alleges Obsession Movie Production owns the copyrights in the movie Obsession, which it describes as a supernatural psychological horror film released in 2026. It identifies copyright registration PAu 4-242-516 for the screenplay and motion picture and says the action is brought under 17 U.S.C. 411. It alleges the work is offered for sale in commerce and that copies bore copyright notices. (Compl. paras. 7, 16 to 20.) The Copyright Office public record for PAu 4-242-516 lists the title Obsession, registered October 18, 2024, with Obsession Movie Production Inc. as claimant by written agreement.

What the complaint alleges

The complaint alleges the Doe defendants are members of a BitTorrent swarm who copied and distributed the work. It alleges they used the YTS website to download torrent files associated with the work, to download a pirated copy, and/or to stream the work, and it relies on their common use of that website to support joining them in one suit. It alleges a computer investigator identified the IP addresses used in BitTorrent transactions involving the work, that those addresses and hit dates appear in Exhibit 1, and that the logged information shows the defendants copied pieces of the work. It alleges, on information and belief, that each defendant received from the plaintiff's agent at least a first notice under 17 U.S.C. 512(a) asking that the infringement stop, and it says the plaintiff intends to subpoena the internet service provider to learn the subscribers' identities. (Compl. paras. 8 to 15, 21 to 22, 47 to 54.)

The counts

Count One alleges direct copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. 106 and 501. Count Two alleges contributory copyright infringement based on participation in a BitTorrent swarm. The complaint alleges that both the direct and the contributory infringements were committed willfully within the meaning of 17 U.S.C. 504(c)(2), and willfully and maliciously within the meaning of 11 U.S.C. 523(a)(6). (Compl. paras. 55 to 75.)

The relief sought

Obsession Movie Production asks for temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctions; an order under 17 U.S.C. 512(j) and/or 28 U.S.C. 1651(a) that any service provider used to infringe cease service; actual damages and profits or, at its election, maximum statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 504(a) and (c); attorney fees and costs under 17 U.S.C. 505; and other relief. (Compl. Prayer.)

The docket

The case is assigned to Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter. On October 30, 2026, Chief Judge Derrick K. Watson signed an order setting a telephonic Rule 16 scheduling conference before Judge Porter for December 28, 2026. The same day, the plaintiff filed a notice of related cases listing Nos. 1:26-cv-313 and 1:26-cv-568 in the same court. (Docket entries 4, 5, 7, 10.)