Difference between Ninjavideo and most other streaming sites is they didn't even try to hide behind safe harbor. Only people who could post links were staff and a handful of trusted uploaders. They plastered banners all over the front page advertising new movies (like "new dvd rip out today woot!"). Talked constantly about how they were pirates.

Even Piratebay comes of as timid and diplomatic. It was just a matter of time before something really bad was going to happen.

EDIT: They weren't just linking to videos, but admitting to uploading them.