Major ISPs agree to "six strikes" copyright enforcement plan

How much money do the actual content producers get from these lawsuits?

I'm betting the money goes straight into the CEO's yearly bonuses.

LiquidSnak said:

I'm glad to see a crackdown on copyright infringement and the like. Hopefully this will cover stuff like operating systems and other software, rather than just music and videos. A torrent found OS is just asking for trouble.

Agree 100% with you LiquidSnak.
Let me see if I get this correct. Some people are upset because it's going to be more difficult to take things from others without paying for it or getting their permission. To me stealing from a large company is no different than stealing from you neighbor.

Notice how more and more "crimes" now fall into that category.

If a speed camera photographs your car speeding, you are sent a fine and threat in the mail!
My State Government has also changed the law, so that if you challenge the Police in court and win, you still have to pay court costs.

This is just a Mafia-style protection racket.
"Pay us $1000 and we won't cause any trouble."

I'd have fewer objections, if the money went to the actual artists (not the corporations).

If these "content producers" want ETERNAL copyright, they should have to provide the content to the public, ETERNALLY.
It should be readily accessible (i.e. at your local supermarket) and at a sane price.

If "software producers" want to "hop on the bandwagon", then it should apply to them too (i.e. if I want a Windows 98 CD, then I should be able to buy it at my local PC store/supermarket).

If the "producers" can't provide the content, then the product should become "Public Domain".

lhorwinkle said:

lehnerus2000 said:

If a speed camera photographs your car speeding, you are sent a fine and threat in the mail!

And, so? You commit a (minor) crime, you get caught, you pay the price! So what?

So what?!!!
They don't have to prove that YOU committed the crime.

Example1:
I "borrow" your car (without your knowledge or approval).
I speed around the city.
I return your car.
You receive 1000s of dollars of fines in the mail.
You have to prove you weren't driving and pay the court costs!

Example 2:
I hack your computer.
When you're not using it, I download copyrighted (or illegal) material.
I transfer the data elsewhere.
I delete the evidence of my hack.

RIAA:
"We represent a group of multi-million dollar corporations and we'll take you to court and make your life a living hell for multiple years. On the other hand you can pay us $1000 and we'll go away."
You:
"But I didn't do anything!"
RIAA:
"See you in court."

An investigation of your hardware, shows that the material was on your computer.
An investigation of your ISP records, shows that you downloaded the material (it also shows that you transferred it).
You get to pay $250,000 (per mp3) plus court costs.

If I used your computer to distribute child porn, you'd get to go to gaol.
Even if you are exonerated (and how long would that take) the public will only remember that you are a pervert.

lhorwinkle said:

COPYRIGHT ISSUE: You commit a theft, and (maybe) the law catches up to you.

They don't have to prove that YOU committed the crime.
According to these corporations, you don't own anything you paid for (except when it suits them).

Example 3:
I purchase an e-book from some legal online provider.
The copyright owner decides to remove it from distribution.
The online provider deletes it from my device (without my permission).

These groups are the new Mafia:

• They buy politicians (just like the Mafia did).
• They have laws changed to suit themselves (just like the Mafia did).
• They use standover tactics against ordinary people (just like the Mafia did).
• They basically do whatever they like (just like the Mafia did).

lhorwinkle said:

I have no doubt that you're sincere about your wishes. But keep in mind that you don't govern things that you don't own.

You don't necessarily "govern" what you "own" either (even in the US).

Two or three years ago Fox News () was ranting about corporations forcing people off of their properties (backed by local government) because they wanted to build there.
The owners received nominal compensation.

In Australia, mining companies are allowed to mine on your land, because you are only allowed to own the surface, the Government owns everything else (airspace and minerals).
The companies can choose the level of compensation you receive.

Currently there is a big stink about Coal Seam Gas mining.
The land owners receive $5000/year per well (from one company).

lhorwinkle said:

z3r010 said:

Except that it hosts absolutely no copyright content what so ever.

The court said otherwise, didn't it?

The court can rule whatever it likes, but how torrents work tells me it's pretty much impossible that piratebay actually hosted the material. Where is this proof that it was?