Quote:
Originally Posted by DiapDealer
..I just sense a lot of convenient "apples and oranges" going on....
|
Yes, personally I have a clear idea about the amount of illegal downloads.
I'm convinced, it's a huge industry.
I'm pretty sure, it's bigger than prostitution, for example.
In Munich alone, there are at least 3 law firms, solely specialized on "declaration to cease and desist".
I don't know, whether that's the correct English term.
Basically, what happens:
You get a letter from a well known, reputable law firm.
Fox Entertainment for example has an exclusive contract with one of those Munich firms (former client is working there, so I've got some background information).
They state, you've downloaded some content illegally.
They refer to your ISP, but you've got no chance to get that data yourself.
They offer to stop proceedings for a payment of some hundred Euros.
Imagine: A few hundred Euros penalty for a TV episode you could buy from Apple for 2 Euros!
Or even worse: They bring you to court and then it's up to you to prove your innocence...
Highly profitable, of course - either way.
I've seen a report, Fox in the meantime would make 30% of their profits that way.
This only can happen, if there's an enormous amount of pirated stuff circulating.
Any I really would be interested to get some more data about that.
I'de be interested in data about drugs, for example, as well.
But I don't know of any relevant forum for that, to post a poll there.