BitTorrent tracking site killed, 34 arrested

[ferret]

http://www.theregister.com/2004/12/14/finnish_police_raid_bittorrent_site/

Opinions? While the RIAA is annoying and such with their crusade against individual downloaders, this one looks to be spearheaded by the MPAA, and they're going after the server operators instead of the individual users. Seems to be a smarter move on their part. Shutdown the sources instead of trying to target and sue 0.01% of the user base

[acme420]

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=328977

it wont fly here.

[squeak]

How are they determining which servers have these files? Seems like some privacy rights are being broken.

[babyseal]

you mean people download from public torrents, off of sites which offer unrestricted access?!

if you can google your torrent, what the hell makes you think that the people who may want to prosecute you for copyright infringement cant?

[squeak]

you mean people download from public torrents, off of sites which offer unrestricted access?!

if you can google your torrent, what the hell makes you think that the people who may want to prosecute you for copyright infringement cant?

Ive never used torrent or donkey before.

[steaLer]

torrents are the easiest to track...more than the traditional P2Ps.

[Nub-Shtrike]

The Motion Picture Ass. of America (MPAA) today ...

lmfao. they said ass.

[Dissman]

I kinda question the legality of going after Torrent Trackers... it kinda strikes me the same way that it would if the cable companies would go after google for providing access to sites that offer cable descramblers...

Is it a crime to run a torrent tracker? That's an open question.

Honestly, i dont think it is...

Is it illegal to describe a painting.
Is it illegal to tell someone how to tell if you've got the real thing or a phony?
Is it illegal to tell someone how to photograph artwork to make copies of it?
Is it illegal to get all of this information toghether in one place?
Is it illegal to sell someone a camera and other equipment needed to make a copy of artwork?

The answer to all of those above questions (to the best of my knowledge) are no... the illegality of the whole thing comes when you actually make a copy of artwork that you dont have copyright permission on...

Is it the responsibility of the camera manufacturer or the printer manufacturer when you go off and make copies of some paintings? No.

I think of a torrent tracker like a photographer telling you how to copy stuff... the only illegal part is if you go out and do it.

[SavaThePriest]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/03/31/download_court040331.html

Oh, Canada....