NationStates Jolt Archive

TorrentSpy Ordered By Federal Judge to Become MPAA Spy
Written by enigmax on June 09, 2007

TorrentSpy, one of the world’s largest torrent dump sites, has been ordered by a federal judge to monitor its users in order to create detailed logs of their activities which must then be handed over to the MPAA.

On May 29, TorrentSpy - one of the web’s most famous .torrent dump sites was told by federal judge Jacqueline Chooljian in the Central District of California that despite the site’s privacy policy which states they will never monitor their visitors without consent, they must start creating logs detailing their user’s activities.

Understandably, this is a worrying move by the court - even more so when one considers these logs must then be turned over to the MPAA. This is believed to be the first time a judge has ordered a defendant to log visitor activity and then hand over the information to the plaintiff. The decision - arrived at last month but under seal - could force sites that are defendants in a law suit to track the actions of their visitors.

The owners have been granted a stay of the order in order to make an appeal, which must be filed by June 12, says Ira Rothken, TorrentSpy’s attorney.

“It is likely that TorrentSpy would turn off access to the U.S. before tracking its users,” said Rothken. “If this order were allowed to stand, it would mean that Web sites can be required by discovery judges to track what their users do even if their privacy policy says otherwise.”

This action follows MPAA action in 2006 against several BitTorrent sites, TorrentSpy included. According to the MPAA, Torrentspy helps others commit copyright infringement by directing people to sites which enable them to download copyright material, an offense claims the MPAA, of secondary copyright infringement.

At the time, Rothken said “It [TorrentSpy] cannot be held ‘tertiary’ liable for visitors’ conduct that occurs away from its web search engine”. TorrentSpy claims it did nothing illegal and suggested the MPAA should sue Google.

An attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation referred to the order to demand a defendant log visitor activity and then hand over the information to the plaintiff as “unprecedented.” He continued “In general, a defendant is not required to create new records to hand over in discovery. We shouldn’t let Web site logging policies be set by litigation”

One way or another, it seems that the MPAA is determined to obtain information about TorrentSpy and its users. A complaint issued by TorrentSpy suggests the MPAA paid a hacker $15,000 to steal e-mail correspondence and trade secrets. The hacker admitted that this was true.



http://torrentfreak.com/torrentspy-ordered-to-spy-on-its-users-on-behalf-of-the-mpaa/

I apologize for not having a link to a more major news source.

This is...creepy. Extremely creepy. Terminally creepy.

We are being watched... is it the government???

No. It's MPAA. Your Big Brother. He's watching.

No. It's MPAA. Your Big Brother. He's watching.

Unfortunately, you can't convince your parents to disown him.

I'm curious. Does the MPAA store critical documents in digital format?

I'm curious. Does the MPAA store critical documents in digital format?

This is ominous.

Unfortunately, you can't convince your parents to disown him.
Fortunately, my father is God, and my mother is the Government. My mom can outlaw MPAA and if that doesn't work, my dad can just smite them out of existence.

Oh, bloody lovely. :mad:

Fucking MPAA and RIAA. Besides the obviously dangerous precedent that this sets, it has to be violating an assload of privacy laws. Isn't Google already fighting the government to turn over users' searches?

The government isn't allowed to tap your phone or forcibly tape a microphone to you and put a camera in every room of every building, but that is what this crap amounts to. Because people don't understand technology, they won't defend innocent people's right to surf the net in privacy and continuously push to be able to monitor every god damn thing a person does on the internet without warrant or even just cause.

Bolol does not advocate copyright infringement. It is against the law.














Bolol also does not support breaches of privacy. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW!*

*Of protection against me punching you in the face for getting in MY face.

Meh. I haven't used torrent sites since my ISP notified me that HBO wasn't happy with me downloading The Sopranos. Nice to know you're being watched..

Bolol does not advocate copyright infringement. It is against the law.

Bolol also does not support breaches of privacy. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW!*

*Of protection against me punching you in the face for getting in MY face.

Its not against the law if the government does it...:rolleyes:

Its not against the law if the government does it...:rolleyes:

Bullshit. Perhaps you've heard of Bush's little wiretapping program? Yeah, that's ILLEGAL. As in, it violates federal law.

Bullshit. Perhaps you've heard of Bush's little wiretapping program? Yeah, that's ILLEGAL. As in, it violates federal law.

I was being sarcastic...thus the sarcastic emoticon :rolleyes::p

*crosses TorrentSpy off the list*

Has anybody ever said that regarding privacy and personal liberties, the US govt. is scum?

I was being sarcastic...thus the sarcastic emoticon :rolleyes::p

Oh. My bad, I thought you were rolling your eyes at Bolol.

Oh. My bad, I thought you were rolling your eyes at Bolol.

No never...I love Bolol :fluffle: ...bom bom chicka wah wah

I also like the fluffle :)

I wrote my Congressman, I am getting tired of all this bullshit.

No never...I love Bolol :fluffle: ...bom bom chicka wah wah

...

Muhr?

This is ominous.

For who I wonder?

For who I wonder?

BUM BUM BAAAAAAAA!!! DA DA DA DA!

[/dramaticnsgsoundtrack]

...

Muhr?

shhh just enjoy it...and since we're being watched...:fluffle:

this is just flat out scary

You know, if any group other than the MAFIAA... I mean, RIAA was responsible for this, I would be shocked and outraged.

As it is, this is business as normal. I mean, seriously, is there anything the Mafiaa won't do in their futile quest to stop copyright infringement? :(

I wrote my Congressman, I am getting tired of all this bullshit.

Hah. What a waste of your time :-p

Aw, come on fellas. The MPAA are just looking for people who pirate Paris Hilton CDs!

Fortunately, my father is God, and my mother is the Government.

I don't get it. How did your father manage to... well... How did they manage to... conceive you? I mean... What went into where? :confused:

If you're not illegally downloading software which you have not purchased from such a site, you have no reason to complain. This move simply safeguards copyright laws and is essential to the software industry. Who would labor to create an exceptional piece of software only to realize that unscrupulous individuals simply pirate it instead of buying it within the law? We need to stamp out such criminals who can hide behind a mask of anonymity; this is a critical first step in that crusade.

MPAA and RIAA can't touch me up here in Canada!

*crosses TorrentSpy off the list*

Has anybody ever said that regarding privacy and personal liberties, the US govt. is scum?I better use overseas based sites from now on.

*crosses all US companies from the list*

Hah. What a waste of your time :-p

I'd go yell at them, but it's a far drive and I can't afford the cafeteria.

Has anybody ever said that regarding privacy and personal liberties, the US govt. is scum?

Everyone older than the age of language acquisition, why?

The bulwark of reaction is just doing what they always do, reacting. In this case reacting to the inevitable socialization of the internet, software, as opposed to hardware, is liquid capital and is so much easier for piracy to distribute it without cost via sharing software, in particular torrents and other p2p software. The internet is impossible to regulate, and inevitably will house for download by individuals every program or the like that companies will want to sell for profit. Inevitably production of internet software will be for consumption and not for profit, freedom is latent for those in need. All that needs to be done for this to succeed is subsidization so that all people may have fast internet access. The world in finite and can to a limited degree be regulated by the producers of capital profit, cyberspace is infinite and impossible for the upper class reaction to control.

If you're not illegally downloading software which you have not purchased from such a site, you have no reason to complain. This move simply safeguards copyright laws and is essential to the software industry. Who would labor to create an exceptional piece of software only to realize that unscrupulous individuals simply pirate it instead of buying it within the law? We need to stamp out such criminals who can hide behind a mask of anonymity; this is a critical first step in that crusade.how is this move essential to Bill Gates and the other software magnates?

Snip.

Be mindful of snitches...

look if you let them they will simple destroy the whole internet. the simple facts are all of these things are done because the government and many buisiness are affraid of the net. its something that they want to control desperately. privacy and freedom are things that they really hate. as to the argument that these things take money from the artist or the programmers i would just point out that these companies have been cheating them for years and it obviously hasn't stoped anything.

If you're not illegally downloading software which you have not purchased from such a site, you have no reason to complain. This move simply safeguards copyright laws and is essential to the software industry. Who would labor to create an exceptional piece of software only to realize that unscrupulous individuals simply pirate it instead of buying it within the law? We need to stamp out such criminals who can hide behind a mask of anonymity; this is a critical first step in that crusade.

1) about 90% of people 'illegally' download here.
2) It isn't essential to anyone, except those who have this incorrect concept of ideas as a commodity.

3) Um, look... artists have been around WAY before the record companies
4) Crusade? OK, I'm done here. FAG, you phail.

That's all I have to say about this post.

As for the main issue: Long live freedom! The MPAA phails at life!

And yay free downloads! :D

Seriously, downloading stuff from the net is like J-walking. It's like alcohol prohibition and the authorities once again unable to keep up with their own irrelevant laws. Internet is the medium for dissemination of information, and equitable distribution of software. For the first time in human history this medium has become possible for said distribution, and in this age of information the petty property-cliques will be left behind, it is inevitable.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/gripe.gif
grrrr....http://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/pissed.gif

FUCKING.....

TECHNOPHOBES!!!!!!


http://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/pissed.gifhttp://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/pissed.gifhttp://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/pissed.gif

And what about the millions of users outside of MPAA 'jurisdiction'?

Do they just ignore their details?

And what about the millions of users outside of MPAA 'jurisdiction'? this concerns only US companies.
The US judge cant do shit to anyone else.

this concerns only US companies.
The US judge cant do shit to anyone else.
I realise this; I’m curious as to what happens to the data gathered by TorrentSpy of non-US users. Is it deleted, stored, never gathered in the first place?

Pah, whatever happens, they can’t stop teh Piratez!

Yarrr!

If you're not illegally downloading software which you have not purchased from such a site, you have no reason to complain. This move simply safeguards copyright laws and is essential to the software industry. Who would labor to create an exceptional piece of software only to realize that unscrupulous individuals simply pirate it instead of buying it within the law? We need to stamp out such criminals who can hide behind a mask of anonymity; this is a critical first step in that crusade.

I think someones being sarcastic:p

I'm from an older generation here
Bought myself a bunch of Black Sabbath LPs in my youth.
Foolishly bought some of them in CD format in the 80's
Now the music industry wants me to buy them again in whatever format they have, knowing full well that the people that made the music get a few pennies and the record companies snaffle the rest (look at CD pricing in the UK for an example)

Or take the software games industry
Would Doom have been as popular if ID never released a shareware version consisting of the first episode?
Would Quake have been as popular if they had'nt done the same again?
A lot of people d/l programs/applications off the torrent sites to see what they are like, instead of having to pay out $1500 for software that turns out to be not suited to their purpose.

I'm a software creator and I always make sure theres a demo/shareware version of whatever I'm doing created, usually fully functional , but crippled by a 30 /45 day limit
And I ask customers 'why did you buy this?' and usually get 'because of the demo ...oh and its cheaper than rival products' :D

I wonder how many of those Americans, who get angry do something about this and for example become active in the Pirate Party.

Pirate Party.

So you'd have Peter Sarrrrrsgaarrrrrd in the Parrrrty, and it would be in an Arrrrby's, maybe in Arrrrrkansas?

I think someones being sarcastic:p

Sadly, he isn't.

There is hope on the horizon. RIAA is being sued for extortion and conspiracy. It also landed on worst company in America on the consumerist list;

In the case of UMG v. Del Cid, the defendant has filed the following five (5) counterclaims against the RIAA, under Florida, federal, and California law:

1. Trespass

2. Computer Fraud and Abuse (18 USC 1030)

3. Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices (Fla. Stat. 501.201)

4. Civil Extortion (CA Penal Code 519 & 523)

5. Civil Conspiracy involving (a) use of private investigators without license in violation of Fla. Stat. Chapter 493; (b) unauthorized access to a protected computer system, in interstate commerce, for the purpose of obtaining information in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030 (a)(2)(C); (c) extortion in violation of Ca. Penal Code §§ 519 and 523; and (d) knowingly collecting an unlawful consumer debt, and using abus[ive] means to do so, in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692a et seq. and Fla. Stat. § 559.72 et seq. ,


Accusing the RIAA of being shady debt collectors?! We love it!


http://consumerist.com/consumer/worst-company-in-america/riaa-accused-of-extortion-and-conspiracy-265721.php

So you'd have Peter Sarrrrrsgaarrrrrd in the Parrrrty, and it would be in an Arrrrby's, maybe in Arrrrrkansas?
I am not sure what you mean... there is a real political party called 'Pirate Party': http://www.pirate-party.us/ I am member of the german pirate party, which has the website http://www.piratenpartei.de (I think someone thought of us Germans when allowing 64 characters for domain-names)

I am not sure what you mean... there is a real political party called 'Pirate Party': http://www.pirate-party.us/ I am member of the german pirate party, which has the website http://www.piratenpartei.de (I think someone thought of us Germans when allowing 64 characters for domain-names)

It's a pseudo-accent pirates supposedly have. "Arrrr!" being an interjection. I played with some puns on it from a Saturday Night Live sketch.

It's a pseudo-accent pirates supposedly have. "Arrrr!" being an interjection. I played with some puns on it from a Saturday Night Live sketch.

Watch out, or the arrr.I.A.A. will get you.

Watch out, or the arrr.I.A.A. will get you.

Alas, they will always remember the day when they almost... *Splooosh!!!* Cap'n Heikoku.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/gripe.gif
grrrr....http://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/pissed.gif

FUCKING.....

TECHNOPHOBES!!!!!!


http://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/pissed.gifhttp://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/pissed.gifhttp://forums.civfanatics.com/images/smilies/pissed.gif

Techno-phobes? Pirating software is stealing. Period. There's no way around that. Stopping people from stealing does not equate with fearing technology. Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with all the people who are against this measure. Do you believe that theft is OK and should not be punished? Is that it?

Techno-phobes? Pirating software is stealing. Period. There's no way around that. Stopping people from stealing does not equate with fearing technology. Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with all the people who are against this measure. Do you believe that theft is OK and should not be punished? Is that it?

We think the RIAA represents a defunct business model which gouges consumers and fucks over artists for the personal gain of a small group of people.

Techno-phobes? Pirating software is stealing. Period. There's no way around that. Stopping people from stealing does not equate with fearing technology. Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with all the people who are against this measure. Do you believe that theft is OK and should not be punished? Is that it?

Well, you believe that invading a country for no reason and killing its population is OK and should not be punished. To each his own lack of qualms.

Well, you believe that invading a country for no reason and killing its population is OK and should not be punished. To each its own lack of qualms.

I believe the term we use here is "pwned", freedomandtotallackofgloryactuallyou'rerunninglowonfreedomtoo.

I believe the term we use here is "pwned", freedomandtotallackofgloryactuallyou'rerunninglowonfreedomtoo.

Really? I thought your previous post was better than mine. o_O

Well, you believe that invading a country for no reason and killing its population is OK and should not be punished. To each his own lack of qualms.

That is completely irrelevant as it is outside the scope of this discussion; stealing from an artist will not benefit him in the future, whereas removing a brutal dictator and spreading freedom to a nation will. So am I to understand that you believe digital theft should not be a punishable offense?

Really? I thought your previous post was better than mine. o_O

As for the long version of his name, it didn't feel right to associate the terms "freedom" or "glory" with him without a negator in there, and I didn't really want to tempt fate by referring to him as FAG or F.A.G.

That is completely irrelevant as it is outside the scope of this discussion; stealing from an artist will not benefit him in the future, whereas removing a brutal dictator and spreading freedom to a nation will. So am I to understand that you believe digital theft should not be a punishable offense?

Do I understand that you believe that invading a basically harmless country and LYING to the American public to do so should not be a punishable offense?

Do I understand that you believe that invading a basically harmless country and LYING to the American public to do so should not be a punishable offense?

Not that I agree completely with FreedomAndGlory it would seem appropriate to address his post in terms of this particular threads content

Not that I agree completely with FreedomAndGlory it would seem appropriate to address his post in terms of this particular threads content

Well, he's the one that continues to bring up the Iraq war thing. But you may have a point.

That is completely irrelevant as it is outside the scope of this discussion; stealing from an artist will not benefit him in the future, whereas removing a brutal dictator and spreading freedom to a nation will. So am I to understand that you believe digital theft should not be a punishable offense?

The RIAA steals from artists, more than any of us could if we tried. Go talk to them first. Or am I to understand that you believe ripping off the actual artists should not be a punishable offense?

You spread chaos, not freedom to the nation, and murdered LOTS of its inhabitants. Am I to understand those responsible should not be punished?

Techno-phobes? Pirating software is stealing. Period. There's no way around that. Stopping people from stealing does not equate with fearing technology. Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with all the people who are against this measure. Do you believe that theft is OK and should not be punished? Is that it?
Technophobes, who do not adjust the copyright to make sure people are compensated for the pirating and/or are not able to adjust their own business plans to the new situation. Sorry, but if your corporate headquarters under water, do not attempt to change legislation to make floods illegal, but ffs, swim!

As for the long version of his name, it didn't feel right to associate the terms "freedom" or "glory" with him without a negator in there, and I didn't really want to tempt fate by referring to him as FAG or F.A.G.

Use F&G. It works and you can think of other meanings for the F and the G if you like.

The RIAA steals from artists, more than any of us could if we tried.

Indeed.

Dammit, I was trying to find this one Boondocks comic that fits this thread perfectly. And I couldn't find it. Arrrgh.

Techno-phobes? Pirating software is stealing. Period. There's no way around that. Stopping people from stealing does not equate with fearing technology. Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with all the people who are against this measure. Do you believe that theft is OK and should not be punished? Is that it?

It is not actually stealing. You never take the item, you merely make a copy of it.

Which makes that saying which RIAA/MPAA style groups use ('would you steal a car') a bit stupid.

The proper term would be copyright infringement.

Now if it were plagarism that would be bad.

Well, he's the one that continues to bring up the Iraq war thing. But you may have a point.

What?! I was talking solely about copyright infringement (the topic of this thread, mind you) when out of the blue you brought up the war in Iraq. Don't try to weasel your way out of this one.

What?! I was talking solely about copyright infringement (the topic of this thread, mind you) when out of the blue you brought up the war in Iraq. Don't try to weasel your way out of this one.

He didn't.

I did.

To point out that your moral qualms are pretty selective: "Downloading music, evil. Killing people, good.".

The RIAA steals from artists, more than any of us could if we tried.

The RIAA does not steal from artists in any way whatsoever. You fail.

The RIAA does not steal from artists in any way whatsoever. You fail.

So, giving them cents per CD and keeping all of the profit for itself isn't stealing? You're not defending the artists here, you're defending the slimy corporations.

So, giving them cents per CD and keeping all of the profit for itself isn't stealing?

No, it's not. The artists choose to enter into such a contract; they are not forced to do so. However, the artists do not consent to you illegally stealing their intellectual property without paying for it.

No, it's not. The artists choose to enter into such a contract; they are not forced to do so. However, the artists do not consent to you illegally stealing their intellectual property without paying for it.

I didn't say at any moment that I download music. So, will you prove that I do or will you retract your statement?

Also: They ARE forced to do so by the fact that they have no alternative if they want to publish their work. You fail.

I didn't say at any moment that I download music. So, will you prove that I do or will you retract your statement?

I meant people in general, not you in particular, although it certainly didn't come across that way. That was just poor word choice; no need to get so pissy about it.

Also: They ARE forced to do so by the fact that they have no alternative if they want to publish their work. You fail.

Prove that they have no alternative or retract your statement.

I meant people in general, not you in particular, although it certainly didn't come across that way. That was just poor word choice; no need to get so pissy about it.

I never said that I didn't either. I'm just taking you for a ride, since you seem to be unaware.

Prove that they have no alternative or retract your statement.

Cute, but you don't get to ask people to prove a negative without them laughing in your face. However, I'll indulge you:

Are there any widely-known music publishers NOT linked to the RIAA and NOT addicted to the RIAA interests?

Are there any widely-known music publishers NOT linked to the RIAA and NOT addicted to the RIAA interests?

No, because the RIAA offers the best deals and thus artists flock to it. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but artists sign deals with contractors who are the middle men between them and the RIAA. Thus, they don't actually interact with the RIAA but rather have the freedom to choose whichever record label they want.

No, because the RIAA offers the best deals and thus artists flock to it. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but artists sign deals with contractors who are the middle men between them and the RIAA. Thus, they don't actually interact with the RIAA but rather have the freedom to choose whichever record label they want.

They offer the ONLY deals, dear.

This is a great move in our great nation!

(Sarcasm)

So, giving them cents per CD and keeping all of the profit for itself isn't stealing? You're not defending the artists here, you're defending the slimy corporations.

No its not legally stealing all the same

No its not legally stealing all the same

Yeah, but we're discussing ethics (I hope) not "the law".

Yeah, but we're discussing ethics (I hope) not "the law".

But is stealing not so because of its relation to the law. I don't know. If i'm wrong i'll happily accept it

I don't know, I stopped caring about 15 posts ago.

Yay apathy

But is stealing not so because of its relation to the law. I don't know. If i'm wrong i'll happily accept it

I don't know, I stopped caring about 15 posts ago. :p

Yay apathy

Apathy is...

meh.

I think someones being sarcastic:p

I'm from an older generation here
Bought myself a bunch of Black Sabbath LPs in my youth.
Foolishly bought some of them in CD format in the 80's
Now the music industry wants me to buy them again in whatever format they have, knowing full well that the people that made the music get a few pennies and the record companies snaffle the rest (look at CD pricing in the UK for an example)

Or take the software games industry
Would Doom have been as popular if ID never released a shareware version consisting of the first episode?
Would Quake have been as popular if they had'nt done the same again?
A lot of people d/l programs/applications off the torrent sites to see what they are like, instead of having to pay out $1500 for software that turns out to be not suited to their purpose.

I'm a software creator and I always make sure theres a demo/shareware version of whatever I'm doing created, usually fully functional , but crippled by a 30 /45 day limit
And I ask customers 'why did you buy this?' and usually get 'because of the demo ...oh and its cheaper than rival products' :D
You do realise 30 day trials are a software pirate's bread and butter, right? Faster than downloading through p2p, safer since it's direct from the company, and easier to crack (just look for a key or keygen)...

You do realise 30 day trials are a software pirate's bread and butter, right? Faster than downloading through p2p, safer since it's direct from the company, and easier to crack (just look for a key or keygen)...
Finding keygens usually isn't remotely as safe as downloading a full cracked version.

No its not legally stealing all the same

[Guessing a legal term]Unfair contract issuance? Coercive contract issuance? Antitrust (due to being a monopoly even if it is supposed to be a trade group)?[/Guessing a legal term]

Yay apathy

*Frowns* Apathy is the reason why this kind of stuff happens.

How the fuck can a judge reqire someone to hand over data to a non government organization like that

http://blog.esaba.com/projects/catphotos/catimages/01332305.jpg

How the fuck can a judge reqire someone to hand over data to a non government organization like that

http://blog.esaba.com/projects/catphotos/catimages/01332305.jpg

I don't know, but I hope that another one overturns it soon.

How the fuck can a judge reqire someone to hand over data to a non government organization like that

http://blog.esaba.com/projects/catphotos/catimages/01332305.jpg

I don't know, but I hope you'll link to some more pics like this. :D

I don't know, but I hope you'll link to some more pics like this. :D

:) oh I got more problem is they are on my other laptop right now lol

Finding keygens usually isn't remotely as safe as downloading a full cracked version.
Yes, but finding keys is easy, and entirely safe.

Yes, but finding keys is easy, and entirely safe.

Even less safe than finding keygens.

I believe the term we use here is "pwned", freedomandtotallackofgloryactuallyou'rerunninglowonfreedomtoo.

I declare the above to be 'excellent!', and request that it is used in all further references.

Furthermore, I have decided to start downloading American films, music and TV shows. Not because I'm actually going to watch/listen, but because the RIAA cant to shit to me.

2) It isn't essential to anyone, except those who have this incorrect concept of ideas as a commodity.

A lot more than ideas go into music and movies, pal. A lot of people's livelihoods depend on record and movies sales. Most of them are hardly wealthy.

Having said that, I do not condone the MPAA's actions or the actions of the judge. They are in clear violation of the right of privacy. Other means should be sought to combat the piracy of movies and music.

A lot more than ideas go into music and movies, pal. A lot of people's livelihoods depend on record and movies sales. Most of them are hardly wealthy.

Having said that, I do not condone the MPAA's actions or the actions of the judge. They are in clear violation of the right of privacy. Other means should be sought to combat the piracy of movies and music.

I meant that piracy has not done much to the industry as of yet.

No, it's not. The artists choose to enter into such a contract; they are not forced to do so. However, the artists do not consent to you illegally stealing their intellectual property without paying for it.

I seem to recall an article linked to on Slashdot some time ago in which the RIAA tried to claim the rights to collect royalties for songs released on Internet radio by artists WHO HADN'T AGREED TO CONTRACTS WITH THE MAFIAA.

So, yeah, not only do the Mafiaa have a monopoly on music publishing, but if you try to go around them they'll just claim that you have to follow their rules anyways. :mad:

Even less safe than finding keygens.
How do you figure? it's a simple text string.

Many of the sites that hold these 'cd-keys' tend have spyware embedded in them.

Many of the sites that hold these 'cd-keys' tend have spyware embedded in them.
Visit them through linux, and you don't even need to visit the site. Often the info you need is available through the page summary.

Visit them through linux, and you don't even need to visit the site. Often the info you need is available through the page summary.

I don't need to, I am legit *shreds paper*.

I don't need to, I am legit *shreds paper*.
Yeah, well to tell the truth, since I started using linux, I haven't pirated software in ages. There's simply no need.

Yeah, well to tell the truth, since I started using linux, I haven't pirated software in ages. There's simply no need.
One can not pirate that which is freely available.

Maybe that's the solution? Make everything free?

A lot more than ideas go into music and movies, pal. A lot of people's livelihoods depend on record and movies sales. Most of them are hardly wealthy.

Hmm.

So, if the world goes to an iPod like paid distribution of music, we will suddenly no longer need the local music store, or its employees, or the warehouses that used to ship CDs, or the people employed there, or the trucks that used to drive the CDs around the country.

With the logic that we shouldn't do things because livelihoods are at stake, perhaps we should think of the horse traders that went out of business when cars replaced the horse and carriage.

Well, you believe that invading a country for no reason and killing its population is OK and should not be punished. To each his own lack of qualms.awwwouw

Burn baby burn. :D

If you're not illegally downloading software which you have not purchased from such a site, you have no reason to complain. This move simply safeguards copyright laws and is essential to the software industry. Who would labor to create an exceptional piece of software only to realize that unscrupulous individuals simply pirate it instead of buying it within the law? We need to stamp out such criminals who can hide behind a mask of anonymity; this is a critical first step in that crusade.

Hehehehehe... Oh, wait, you're serious. Dude, this has nothing to do with piracy. it has everything to do with a site being forced to act as a spy for a private group. This scares the living shit out of me. Bad enough the Big Guvment seems to think he has a right to my search history, but a search engine (ANY search engine, not just torrent engines) being made to give records over to the RIAA s just... shudder.

Hmm.

So, if the world goes to an iPod like paid distribution of music, we will suddenly no longer need the local music store, or its employees, or the warehouses that used to ship CDs, or the people employed there, or the trucks that used to drive the CDs around the country.

With the logic that we shouldn't do things because livelihoods are at stake, perhaps we should think of the horse traders that went out of business when cars replaced the horse and carriage.

Progress and theft are not the same thing.

Progress and theft are not the same thing.

Neither is music sharing and theft

Progress and theft are not the same thing.
Nor are they necessarily opposed.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/CLASS/130-126~Big-Brother-is-Watching-You-Posters.jpg

at least...not yet...:(

How is it stealing?

Taunt/hahahahaha: I live in HK so I do not have to follow thse laws, in addition to the fact that if I wanted to, I could buy dvds for 1 USD in a lovely place called Shen Zhen. I could also buy really cool battle axes, of which i have a pair, for really cheap. I love HK, drinking age here is 18 but it is so easy to get a fake ID if you are younger, a lot less laws here than US...

Taunt/hahahahaha: I live in HK so I do not have to follow thse laws, in addition to the fact that if I wanted to, I could buy dvds for 1 USD in a lovely place called Shen Zhen. I could also buy really cool battle axes, of which i have a pair, for really cheap. I love HK, drinking age here is 18 but it is so easy to get a fake ID if you are younger, a lot less laws here than US...

Until China starts fucking with your legal system :D