FBI charges Megaupload operators with piracy crimes

[xg4bx]

"The FBI has busted the alleged operators of Internet locker service Megaupload, which had become one of the most popular video destinations on the Web, according to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department.

Seven people have been named in an indictment and that FBI agents have arrested four suspects. They have been charged in northern Virginia with crimes related to online piracy."


http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57...piracy-crimes/

how ironic that this happens today, a day after the massive anti-sopa protests.

[mr ploppy]

Here's another link for when yours gets deleted

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16642369

I'm quite surprised at this, I would have thought they would be covered by that DMCA thingy since they have lots of legitimate uses too.

[Kali Yuga]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

I'm quite surprised at this, I would have thought they would be covered by that DMCA thingy since they have lots of legitimate uses too.

I believe the standard is based on how much legitimate traffic vs infringement is going on. E.g. if 5% of Megaupload's traffic is legit and 95% is copyright infringement, then they're out of luck.

[xg4bx]

@ploppy-oops. thanks lol.


from what i understand megaupload was actually pretty swift when it came to deleting pirated material that was uplopaded, as well as one of the top dogs. the fbi didn't mess around, they knew exactly which site to target.

[xg4bx]

interesting.....

Megaupload to sue Universal over video takedown; other media companies abuse Youtube ContentID on public-domain videos

"Here is another movie-related story (or a continuation of the same story) about YouTube rights abuses, with implications for all electronic forms of physical media (including e-books).

In a follow-up to yesterday’s story about Universal’s allegedly fraudulent takedown of a Megaupload promotional video, Torrentfreak reports Megaupload has instructed its legal team to file suit against Universal over the matter. (One of my friends noted that, if Universal really did do what Megaupload accuses, it should also be liable for criminal charges of perjury.) It will be interesting to see what happens."

http://www.teleread.com/copy-right/m...domain-videos/

that was about a month ago.

[RainingLemur]

No big loss. I only used Megaupload a handful of times that I can recall.

But, why are they being tried in Virginia?

[xg4bx]

Originally Posted by RainingLemur

No big loss. I only used Megaupload a handful of times that I can recall.

But, why are they being tried in Virginia?

no idea. i believe the site is hosted in hong kong, hes a german, they were in new zealand....its a whole mess.

theres another case currently going on of a british kid being extradited to the u.s. for merely linking to copyright infringing material-

[Tome Keeper]

How can the FBI shut down a overseas company? That's the bit I don't get.

I used megaupload a lot for sharing teaching resources - it's a shame all that will now be lost.

[murraypaul]

I agree, whatever you think about this particular business, if the operators are not US citizens, it is not a US corporation and they are not operating from within the US, what exactly is it that makes them subject to US law?

[teh603]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

I agree, whatever you think about this particular business, if the operators are not US citizens, it is not a US corporation and they are not operating from within the US, what exactly is it that makes them subject to US law?

Probably the fact that their countries are willing to honor extradiction treaties.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by teh603

Probably the fact that their countries are willing to honor extradiction treaties.

If their actions were against the law of the country they were operating in, charge them there. If they have violated copyright in that country, sue them there.
I don't see how US law comes into it.

[Hellmark]

What I don't get, is how can they arrest these people for breaking the law in the US, when they're not from the US, and the servers aren't in the US.

I mean, for O'Dwyer, They're bringing him here because it is against the law to authorize copyright infringement, where as it is much more complicated and not quite the case in the UK.

It used to be, the laws you had to abide by is the laws in which you lived, and the laws in which you physically operated. Basically where you lived, had offices, and where your server is located. Friend of mine is in Australia, and his servers are in Texas, so he has to follow US and Australian law. I mean, whats to happen if Canada passes a law that images of topless women were illegal, would that mean that he could be arrested and sent up north for trial?

[murraypaul]

They seem to have charged whatever they thought would make the biggest media impact (and increase the chances of extradition), even though it seems rather unlikely that the racketeering and money laundering are anything other than grandstanding.

[Greg Anos]

What we need is a TPLC (Tin Pot Little Country) to pass a law causing the Hollywood types to be extraditied....

[murraypaul]

Aha: "... targeted sites where Megaupload has servers in Ashburn, Va., Washington, DC ..."

In that case (and assuming it is true), I retract my objections to jurisdiction. Host servers in the US, play by US rules.
And also explains the choice of Virginia.