FBI charges Megaupload operators with piracy crimes

[karunaji]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

no that would be greed and entitlement.

Doesn't matter how exactly it works. The fact is that too strict copyright laws helps terrorists. It is much the same as the war on drugs.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

I didn't know they paid for content that is popular, but that's no different to what Youtube does as far as I can see.

They *didn't* pay for content that was "popular"; they paid for illegal content. That is why the created alternate url's for content under takedown notice. They *solicited* illegal uploads, too.
There are actual quotes in the article, citing instances where they paid to "disqualified" content uploaders because they liked what they uploaded.

The popularity lists were artificial, they tweaked them to make it look like the primary business was legitimate uses. Essentially they camouflaged the illicit behavior by minimizing its visibility and puffing up the much smaller legal uses.

Can't go much deeper underground than that without resorting to invitation-only private nets, which by nature would be orders of magnitude smaller and hence less profitable. Go deeper underground and you're no longer raking in hundreds of millions.
It's a footprint thing; you're either big enough to rake in Megaupload megamoney, and you get noticed--and squashed--or you're small enough to stay below the radar and make much less money. Risk = reward.

[mr ploppy]

http://torrentfreak.com/cyberlocker-...action-120123/

No real surprise, I suppose. I doubt it will end at locker sites either.

[HarryT]

This is wonderful news. Can it really be that these upload sites are finally going to start taking the issue of copyright infringement seriously?

[murraypaul]

There is a risk of baby-with-the-bathwater problems though, as there are useful, legitimate, uses of file-sharing sites.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

There is a risk of baby-with-the-bathwater problems though, as there are useful, legitimate, uses of file-sharing sites.

Absolutely. It's anonymous "sharing" that's the issue. What's needed is a robust method of sharing content with specific people, as I believe Dropbox offers.

[mr ploppy]

http://exclaim.ca/News/megaupload_re....ca+-+News+%29

Coincidence?

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

http://exclaim.ca/News/megaupload_re....ca+-+News+%29

Coincidence?

Seems highly likely to be, yes.
Why would this be a big deal? It isn't as though there aren't other indie music sites.

[karunaji]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Absolutely. It's anonymous "sharing" that's the issue. What's needed is a robust method of sharing content with specific people, as I believe Dropbox offers.

Or one can simply use an FTP server.

The actual need is for efficient system of public distribution of copyrighted works because the current system is obviously not working well.

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Absolutely. It's anonymous "sharing" that's the issue. What's needed is a robust method of sharing content with specific people, as I believe Dropbox offers.

I agree that anonymity is the issue, but would you not say that everyone should have access to everything?

[jocampo]

I think that the only way to ensure people won't upload illegal content (or minimize the chance of that) is enforcing user's registration via credit cards.

On most countries you need to use a valid ID before getting a credit card. That way, they can track you down if you're one of those who post content for illegal sharing.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by jocampo

I think that the only way to ensure people won't upload illegal content (or minimize the chance of that) is enforcing user's registration via credit cards.

On most countries you need to use a valid ID before getting a credit card. That way, they can track you down if you're one of those who post content for illegal sharing.

Luckily no one's credit card details ever get stolen and misused, otherwise that idea wouldn't really work.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Luckily no one's credit card details ever get stolen and misused, otherwise that idea wouldn't really work.

Well,

As a DBA ... ... there are several ways to keep CC info on local database. You can even make a reference to other place without keeping it locally. But the risk will be there.

Every time you keep personal data on databases, the DBA and Web developer need to take precautions.

I was just saying that with no strong registration process is easier to share illegal content.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by jocampo

I think that the only way to ensure people won't upload illegal content (or minimize the chance of that) is enforcing user's registration via credit cards.

Would you really want to give your credit card details to Megaupload?

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Seems highly likely to be, yes.
Why would this be a big deal? It isn't as though there aren't other indie music sites.

None that pay the band for free content. This would be the closest, but you need to decide whether you want it to be free or paid for. You don't get anything for free content.

http://theastronautsband.bandcamp.com/