blog
I received another e mail from Ernesto who writes the very well
read and respected article known as TORRENT FREAK
Most interesting. It seems the judicial system is catching up to
certain persons and lawyers - who were aiming to collect hundreds
or even thousands from those who like to help themselves and download movies and music utilizing the bit torrent - otherwise
file sharing as I had mentioned in a previous blog. However,
it appears some judges in the U.S. and the U.K are catching on to the fact that the sole purpose of collecting these exhorbitant amounts from University Students and Single Moms is simply
the exploitation of the copyright of those who create in the first place. Its an odd scenario.
Just imagine for a moment, a single mom getting a pay-or-else
letter and then struggling for years with a debt that was not
truly justifiable in the first place. Its going beyond the level of
decency - even though people realize the risk or peril of downloading copyrighted material. Most risk losing use of computers, some get huge fines for on-going file-sharing activity
and depending on the courts - some face time in prison.
The question for the courts to consider would likely be what the
penalty should be for those who download copyright material and/or whether they were aware that just as quick as they were
downloading, someone else was file-sharing direct from their
computer. Very shrewd system devised for the temptation of the
innocent or those who claimed to be. But could there not be a better way to deal with those who insist on file-sharing and yet
are unwilling to realize or accept the consequences?
I have (like many of you) gone to garage sales. I remember stopping at a lovely yard near Portland, Oregon in our travels
and picked up a movie for 50 cents. Goes to show how things
do not necessarily hold their value. So why these large lawsuits?
Someone somewhere gets a fine for -lets say $5,000 for indulging in the time-sharing activity to get a free movie. That becomes one expensive movie. Don't fool yourself - those who chase those who
steal - are out there - and probably are well aware of who you are and what you are doing!!! You can run, as they say, but not hide.
We are living in a more and more transparent society.
So to consider the recent Torrent Freak article - there are no doubt
copyright parasites who are looking to make a fast buck off the
backs of those who cannot possibly afford to pay. But the system
seems to have a way of correcting itself. And maybe both those
who file-share and those who go after those who file-share might have to re-think exactly what they are doing and what will the real
price be at the end of the road??!!