Question:

What is the current status of Graboid, the peer-to-peer file sharing service? Has it been discontinued or faced legal issues? How popular is it among its users?

Answer:

Graboid is a peer-to-peer file sharing service that allows users to download and stream video files from other users’ computers. The service was launched in 2008 and claims to offer over 150,000 videos, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and music videos.

However, Graboid has also been the subject of controversy and criticism, as it operates in a legal gray area and may infringe on the copyrights of the content owners. According to its terms of service, Graboid does not host, store, or distribute any of the files, and only provides a platform for users to access them. The service also warns users that they are responsible for complying with the laws of their jurisdiction and that they may be exposed to viruses, malware, or other harmful content.

In 2010, Graboid was sued by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios for allegedly facilitating the unauthorized distribution of their movies. The lawsuit claimed that Graboid was aware of the illegal nature of its service and that it profited from the subscription fees and advertising revenue. The case was settled out of court in 2011, and the terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Since then, Graboid has continued to operate, but its popularity and reliability have declined. According to SimilarWeb, a website traffic analysis tool, Graboid’s monthly visits have dropped from over 1 million in 2016 to less than 100,000 in 2021. Many users have reported problems with the service, such as slow download speeds, poor video quality, limited selection, and frequent errors. Some users have also complained about the customer service, billing issues, and security risks.

Therefore, it seems that Graboid is not kaput, but it is certainly not thriving either. It faces stiff competition from other streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, which offer legal, high-quality, and affordable content. It also faces the risk of further legal action from the content owners or the authorities, as it operates in a dubious and unstable domain. It is unclear how long Graboid will survive or how loyal its users will remain.

References

: [Graboid – Terms of Service] : [Hollywood studios sue Graboid over movie downloads] : [Graboid Settles Lawsuit With Movie Studios] : [Graboid.com Traffic Statistics] : [Graboid Reviews – 32 Reviews of Graboid.com]