>>>Content theft. When someone 'borrows', steals, whatever, content from someone else, ONLY the copyright HOLDER has the right to claim damages under DMCA. Just because you bought some content and you know someone else stole it does not give you the right to make claims in lieu of the copyright holder. If you see content you think was stolen from someone other than yourself, your best bet is to notify the copyright holder.<<<
KimmyKim, on this point you are correct, but you may be missing a bigger point. If I were a smart lawyer (and I am), and I represented Maxim and/or the photog who owns rights to the content, I'd sue *everybody* -- including ccbill. Reason? The scumbag pirate will likely be judgment proof and gone by the time we get to trial. I'd want deep, stable pockets -- like yours.
Justification? "Facillitating" copyright infringment under the DMCA... yes, it's in there and it could prove to be a motherfucker to service providers like ccbill. If I can prove you knew about the piracy and that you "facilitated" infringement by providing payment services despite that knowledge, you may lose.
Now, this is just something to think about and talk to your legal counsel about.
I think, if the recording industry is any indication, that these types of things will likely happen, with lawsuits hurting all sorts of people that are not otherwise content pirates. The DMCA is a tool for the big, bad powerful entertainment companies to wipe out others if they choose to. It's pretty scary.
Peace - neuro