Japanese adult entertainment producer Will Co. has been awarded $4.5 million in damages and granted ownership of several domains previously controlled by the operator of MissAV.com, one of the world’s most-visited pirate websites. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ruled on January 7, marking the culmination of nearly four years of litigation.

The court’s decision targets Ka Yeung Lee, Youhaha Marketing and Promotion Ltd., and other unnamed defendants linked to the now-defunct MissAV.com and related pirate platforms.

Will Co. sought compensation for 300 copyrighted videos hosted unlawfully on MissAV and affiliated sites. The court awarded statutory damages of $15,000 per video, totaling $4.5 million. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to pay $76,959 to cover legal fees and court costs.

The ruling also directed VeriSign, the domain registrar, to transfer several high-traffic domains — including MissAV.com, ThisAV.com, and others — to Will Co. These sites, which collectively drew billions of annual visits, now redirect users to anti-piracy warning banners.

The court’s injunction not only awarded monetary damages but also set a precedent by authorizing the seizure of domains linked to piracy. Jason Tucker, president of anti-piracy consultancy Battleship Stance, hailed the ruling as a milestone in combating global intellectual property theft.

“The transfer of these domains sends a clear message to pirate operators that they risk losing their assets when they steal content,” Tucker said. “This ruling strengthens the position of creators and demonstrates that intellectual property can be defended across borders.”

The defendants, primarily based in Hong Kong, initially argued that a U.S. court lacked jurisdiction over the case. However, the Washington District Court dismissed these claims, citing the international reach of the pirated content and the U.S.-based domain registry. The case proceeded after the defendants ceased responding, leading to a default judgment.

The judgment awarded Will Co. less than the $45 million it had originally sought, but the outcome is nevertheless significant. The court’s decision underscores the growing ability of rightsholders to pursue legal action against foreign entities operating pirate websites.

This case follows a similar victory last year when Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub, was awarded $2 million in a California copyright infringement case against another pirate website. Battleship Stance, which provided strategic support to Will Co., has played a central role in these enforcement efforts.

Spencer Freeman, lead counsel for Will Co., emphasized the case’s broader implications for copyright enforcement.

“This case sets a precedent for stronger enforcement of U.S. copyright laws against foreign entities,” Freeman said. “It demonstrates that rightsholders can take effective legal action to protect intellectual property rights globally.”

Despite the legal victory, MissAV has already resurfaced under a new .ws domain name, continuing its operations. Tucker confirmed that ongoing efforts are underway to disrupt the pirate site’s activities and prevent further dissemination of infringing content.

“We’re aware of these new domains and are actively pursuing additional legal actions,” Tucker said.

Will Co. and its legal team are celebrating the success, which may serve as a blueprint for other rightsholders seeking to combat piracy on a global scale. With this case, they have proven that even foreign-based operators of pirate sites can be held accountable in U.S. courts.

“This ruling not only delivers justice for Will Co. but also reinforces a global standard for protecting creative works,” Tucker concluded. “The fight against digital piracy is far from over, but this is a significant step forward.”