Lyca issues statement over piracy allegations; Savukku responds

Savukku, a well-known whistleblower website, had, on May 11, alleged that one of the biggest productions houses in the Tamil film industry, Lyca Productions, is behind piracy of tamil films. The production company, earlier today released a statement, categorically denying all such allegations.

Following Lyca's statement, Savukku, stood by its story and responded as below:

"Through our sources, we received information that the domain lycamovie.com which has been hosting pirated movies belonged to Lyca group. Following this information, the domain history of lycamovie.com was searched.

1) It was found that the domain’s name server came into the maintenance of LexSynergy Limited, a domain management firm on 4^th September 2015 itself. This domain management firm is the authorised representative of Pettigo Comercio Internacional  Lda,  Rua das Hortas, 1, Edificio do Carmo, 5, Andar – Sala 500, Madeira, Portugal and WWW Holding Company Limited, 3rd Floor Walbrook Building, 195, Marshwall, London. We would like to point out that the entire Lyca group is owned by the firms Pettigo Commercio Internacional Lda and WWW Holding Company Limited.

2) Such being the case, Lyca Productions in its response to Savukku expose, has stated that “Lyca Group undertook the domain name lycamovie.com only on July 5th 2017.”  There appears to be an ulterior motive for Lyca Productions denying ownership of the domain lycamovie.com during the period between September 2015 and July 2017.

3) The domain lycamovie.com was redirected to lycaproductions.in years before July 5^th 2017 which could not have been done without the connivance/cooperation of the then administrator of lycamovie.com.

4) Lyca Productions in their response had claimed that lycamovie.com was shut down on 29^th June 2014.  The domain lycamovie.com was actively hosting pirated content even after the date mentioned by Lyca i.e., 29^th June 2014. It is for Lyca Productions to explain why they have issued a statement containing not half-truths, but lies.

5) The statement of Lyca Productions that “lycamovie.com was not renewed by the previous admin Tamil Tamilan and it became free. Lyca Group undertook the domain name lycamovie.com on July 5^th 2017” is contrary to truth. Pettigo Comercio Internacional  Lda, had filed a petition and won the domain lycamovie.com in an arbitration proceedings before an international forum as early as 2^nd August 2015.

6) The admin email address of lycamovie.com remains as domains@lexsynergy.com from 4^th September 2015 till date. Why this email remains as administrator email from 2015 till date could only be explained best by Lyca Productions.

7) As detailed above, the statement of Lyca Productions that, “We would like to reiterate that Lyca Productions was in no way associated with lycamovie.com prior to July 5^th 2017” is a complete lie.

8)  The domain lycamovie.com and lycamovies.com were registered and owned by one and the same person. While Lyca Productions in their response had admitted that they could takeover lycamovie.com alone and they could not take over lycamovies.com makes the mystery deeper and warrants a further probe.

As mentioned in your statement, savukkuonline.com, is a verified online portal and we always ensure and verify facts before publishing any content.  We maintain highest level of integrity and Lyca Productions are welcome to mail all evidence / documents in this regard to us."

(This is a developing story)