In 2005, an anonymous internet user, known only by the screename of "aXXo" began uploading pirated movies via bittorrent peer-to-peer filesharing networks across the world wide web. The news swept through the techie underground scene like electrical wildfire, and soon enough everyone was buzzing about aXXo's uploads. Rippers everywhere pondered how he (or she) managed to achieve such crisp quality from a plain old DVD rip -- impressive compression down to 700MB.
Within a few years, aXXo became such a megastar in internet subculture that imposters began uploading their own rips using aXXo's revered handle (often including free gifts in the packages such as malware, spyware and Trojans). The faithful always knew the difference, however, because true aXXo files rarely exceeded 700MB in size, were never .RAR (only .ZIP) and always included a special .nfo file which bore his official M.O.
aXXo's "work," surely a source of aggravation for the motion picture industry, provokes an interesting debate: Should executives spend their time and money chasing down and prosecuting script kiddies in Nebraska, or should they instead reevaluate how their content is being distributed?
Half the reason kids download movies illegally is simply because they like to "take a walk on the wild side." Pirating videos is something most people outgrow when they realize how much it costs others, in the end - filmmakers, engineers, designers, programmers, effects specialists, developers - but when you're a teenager, not only could you NOT give a hoot about any of that - but not paying for something is actually a bonafide teenaged turn-on.
What if Apple's iTunes and other online content retailers offered better incentives to their young 18 and under consumer base? How about an auction of insta-downloads on certain films at a discount or for free, on a first-come-first-serve basis (a la RueLaLa.com). Think kids wouldn't stay up all night just for a chance to win a free copy of the hottest new movie? (Hint: Twilight Saga.) How about an affiliate program targeted at teenagers? Transform the anonymous masses into proud, badge-boasting foot soldiers. Monthly student subscriptions, anyone?
Fact is, current bottom-cut price points for most ironclad encrypted movie files from iTunes aren't reasonable; they are just killing the average youth consumer, often costing more than one would earn in 2 hours at minimum wage stacking boxes at Home Depot. (Do you guys have any idea how long that is in teenage years?) It's no wonder kids opt for a more alluring, less-expensive way to get ahold of their favorite films.
As for aXXo, he was last heard from one year ago today, on April 19, 2009, in a post on a bittorrent message board: "I can only say a big thank you for your appreciation mates, hope you all enjoy the darkside much as you can. My home is the 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."
He may have disappeared, but with over a thousand movie uploads to his name and a steady million downloads per month, aXXo the hacker genius - or, more likely, the otherwise innocuous script kiddie - isn't going anywhere for a while. Very little is known about him because he was never caught. (He probably just went away to college...) Happy rushing and R.I.P., aXXo.
