New Penalties for File Sharing

[RobRich]

Quote:

The U.S. Sentencing Commission on Wednesday approved an emergency set of rules that would boost prison sentences by roughly 40 percent for people convicted of peer-to-peer infringement of copyright works "being prepared for commercial distribution."

The changes also say judges may "estimate" the number of files shared for purposes of determining the appropriate fine and sentence. Larger numbers typically yield longer sentences.

....

Another change in the sentencing guidelines alters the definition of "uploading" to make it clear that merely having a copyright file available in a shared folder--such as those used by popular file-swapping programs like Kazaa and BearShare--can count as illegal distribution.

Source: ZDNet News

[SoloCamo]

sigh doesn't the courts have some real business to attend to?

"The changes also say judges may "estimate" the number of files shared for purposes of determining the appropriate fine and sentence. Larger numbers typically yield longer sentences."

and that quite frankly is really some major BS.

[digby0668]

Quote:

Another change in the sentencing guidelines alters the definition of "uploading" to make it clear that merely having a copyright file available in a shared folder--such as those used by popular file-swapping programs like Kazaa and BearShare--can count as illegal distribution.

This really bothers me. I have never used P2P software, but I do keep my music files in shared folders so that I can access them from any of my three computers on my home LAN.

[GroundZero3]

digby, they wont attack you if you arent sharing it out to the world. (no way to access it)

If you are gonna share out copyrighted information and know the risk, prepare for the consquences people.

[syncmaster]

zzzzz, if u use comcast or any of the isp that has laws that wont share u info then ure IMpossible to get screwed >< thats why adelphia sux they give out ure info to india

[elroy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by syncmaster

zzzzz, if u use comcast or any of the isp that has laws that wont share u info then ure IMpossible to get screwed >< thats why adelphia sux they give out ure info to india

Any of them will reveal your identity when presented with a subpeona.

[syncmaster]

hehe, its illegal period its under their contract u sign

[project vegas]

hmm let see the feds should be worrying about catching osama then busting 14 yr olds for downloading brittney spears !!!!

[LnGrrrR]

Ah screw it. If they want us to stop pirating and sharing, start making better movies and CD's.

[Micky758]

The record industry here in the UK might want to stop screwing us on the price CDs and DVDs as we pay twice as much as mainland europe.

The judges estimating is just a joke, some judge with limted knowlege of computers guessing how many files have been shared.