Comic Book BitTorrent Tracker Re-Opens Despite Takedown Threats

Z-Cultfm.com has decided against bowing to pressure by Marvel and DC Comics. Z-Cult initially responded to their request by shutting the trackers down and attempting to dialogue with both DC and Marvel. Only DC answered their requests.

"Z-Cult FM Comic Community will re-open all of its Trackers and locked down sections back to how they were earlier in the week before any legal action. We are carrying out this action for the following reasons:

* I am (We are) based outside of the US and are not therefore subject to US legislation that was present on the legal documents sent to us.

* Here at Z-Cult FM we have always had a clearly explained and signposted policy of making it clear to all comic publishers and copyright holders that we will on request (and reasonable proof of ownership) remove their material from our trackers if they requested us to. Please see: http://zcultfm.com/dmca.php

Marvel Comic and DC Comics, who confirmed they have seen our site but refused to follow our policy. All other publishers in the past who have followed this policy have been respected and the agreed actions taken."

DC and Marvel have been slow to respond to torrent-swapped comics books. Z-Cult now claims 70,000 forum members, and traffic to the site is only increasing. As of this posting, about 2,200 leechers are trading the last release of comics for the week. Given that not everyone swaps all books in a release, it's hard to think that a few 100 fans are making much of a financial impact on comic book sales. But Marvel is pushing ahead with its own digital comics subscription: A cynic would the controversary raised with the Z-Cult fans makes it an inexpensive way for Marvel to publicize their new digital service.