If you use Limewire, Frostwire, or other file sharing software you could be sued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) or the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Did you know that over three short years, between 2003 and 2006, the RIAA sued over 20,000 music fans for thousands of dollars per person for file sharing? Here's some tips to make sure you avoid law enforcement and are not then next person sued:
1) Normally, people are sued only for sharing music, not for just downloading it. Make sure you keep copyrighted material out of your shared folder or disable the sharing feature of your P2P application.
2) Avoid publicly accessible file sharing networks, such as those at colleges. Sometimes, these networks will report you making your chance of getting sued significantly greater.
3) To be safe, you could always just avoid downloading any copyrighted material.
If you have received notice or your ISP address has already been sued visit the Electronic Frontier Foundation's website at www.eff.org for help and additional information.
The idea of illegal downloading has always seemed like traceble equivalent of what was tape sharing in the 90s and 80s. Now that RIAA has a way of tracking it, they know who to get strike fear in the hearts of those who share music. However, it goes without saying that illegal downloads are still copyright infringment and should be delt with accordingly; the question is whether the punishment fits the crime?
ReplyDeleteThis is a great point! Does anyone have any suggestions as to what an appropriate punishment should be?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, eventhough the punishment is strict, it is effective and necessary. If the punishment is lighter, will everyone be sure not committing those activities again? I don't think so. Anyway, maybe government should give people a chance to change themselves or to stop what they are doing before any law enforcement, such as a warning. If those people still ignore, its their problem to be caught.
ReplyDeleteThis is also a good point! Some people who are unfamiliar with computers may not know that they're breaking the law, so a warning is a good idea. I actually found in my research that sometimes people are submitted warnings prior to actually being sued.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks sometimes that people are sued for sharing files. Although its illegal, it is also so trivial. It also sucks to think that the most harmless and normal individuals who don't know any better sometimes have to pay the price. It is really important that people know that sharing files can get them into a lot of trouble and that they should turn that feature off.
ReplyDeleteI'm always afraid anytime I use my computer or visit some sites which is why I never download any form of music or videos. I hate viruses and know that the risk of downloading anything will increase my chances of getting a virus. I hardly use school computer due to the fact that they are highly monitored and used by so many. There are so many sites out there, such as anime sites that have tons of viruses on them which is why whenever I am on the schools computer I restrict myself to Facebook and the Uncc website. My cousin introduced me to some anime legal sites but anytime I used them my computer would become infected. As a result, I stopped visiting those sites and try to find clips on youtube.
ReplyDeleteI actually had a situation at ECU with my first undergraduate degree. I guess that it was 2003 when this happened. I got called by some department at the university and I had to meet with them and bring my laptop. I didn't get fined or anything but they did delete the software off of my computer and told me that I should no longer download using kazaa. Anyway, I just found it interesting that you said avoid using at a college because it happened to me my freshmen year when I lived in the dorms.
ReplyDeleteVictor has a point, does the punishment fit the crime? i believe the way that law enforcement is going about enforcing piracy is both ineffective, futile and a waste of resources. instead of trying to make examples out of a few high profile scapegoats, enforcement should make it more like giving out tickets for speeding. the punishment would then fit the crime, create more revenue for the government, catch a much greater number of people and ultimately be more effective.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with the use of a warning before using sites like Lime or Frost Wire. I myself didn’t fully understand the severity of music downloads before I heard about people getting in serious trouble. So a warning before files sharing is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteYea Cassie I learned in my research that many colleges will turn you in if they catch you downloading music on their network.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the warnings. I think one warning would be good and after that then the offender should have charges brought their way.
ReplyDeleteI think that paying a standard fee for the number of songs that you downloaded illegally would be fair, say $0.99 per song, just like on iTunes. It would give the record industry the money they feel they were cheated out of, and keep these single moms from being sued for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
ReplyDeleteI think the use of a warning before file sharing is a great idea because you need to be made aware that what you are doing is illegal. Once you are warned I think if you continue to break the law you should be prosecuted.
ReplyDeleteI think getting a warning first before being sued is great. But what would be even better is sending awareness videos and informing students, especially at their freshman stage, would be more effective.
ReplyDeleteThis also boils down to the cost of enforcing the law. I would like to know how much it cost to the taxpayers for the police and FBI to pursue someone for illegally downloading music and software? I think that the few that download 10's of thousands of songs or software should be punished and fined accordingly but the majority that only download the occasional software should not be a concern. It is ultimately up to the industry that is being taken advantage of to find a way to make there media or software difficult to steal.
ReplyDelete