Redbox’s next product may be piracy lawsuits, not DVDs or streaming. The once-iconic movie rental brand has been reduced to its legal assets, and now a new buyer is betting big on turning copyright enforcement into a business.
A recent court filing revealed that Grove Street Partners has offered $100 million to acquire “IP Litigation Assets” previously owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Redbox’s parent company. Instead of reviving Redbox kiosks or the Crackle streaming service, the buyer is focused on litigation tied to copyright infringement.
What’s Behind The Shift To Piracy Lawsuits?
The assets include the right to pursue copyright claims against third parties for allegedly ignoring DMCA takedown notices. While Redbox was once known for bringing affordable DVD rentals to suburban grocery stores, its next chapter could center on courtroom battles.
Grove Street Partners, now operating as Grove Street Funding, specializes in financing and managing lawsuits for intellectual property holders. The company’s strategy isn’t just about going after individual file sharers—it’s about targeting internet service providers (ISPs) accused of failing to stop piracy on their networks.
How Grove Street Plans To Profit
Tom Murphy, CEO of Grove Street Funding, outlined this strategy in a 2021 pitch. The company builds cases by collecting DMCA notices and then pursuing ISPs for damages if they allegedly ignored those infringement warnings.
If approved by the court, the $100 million deal would allow Grove Street to take control of Redbox’s litigation rights, potentially unleashing a wave of piracy lawsuits across the entertainment and broadband industries.
What It Means For Consumers And ISPs
For consumers, this move highlights a growing trend: instead of focusing on streaming innovations or content libraries, some companies are treating lawsuits as their business model. ISPs, meanwhile, could face mounting legal pressure if they’re found negligent in addressing piracy complaints.
Whether this strategy proves profitable remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Redbox’s next product may be piracy lawsuits, and not the nostalgic DVD rentals that once made it a household name.
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