MP3 Swapping Chaos
Some of you may have already seen this link posted on Slashdot (please read it). The thing that caught my eye was that I read "Ann Arbor, Mich" in it. Basically the article states that the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) is serving subpoenas indiscriminantly to users who both download and share music files using P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing programs. In terms of liability they may also target user's parents, grandparents and roommates all depending on account information from their ISP (internet service provider).
These subpoenas which may or may not become direct lawsuits are being issued rapidly (recently over 900) and without any regards for situation or circumstances. Previous incidents have proven that lawsuits have costed individuals (students) thousands of dollars and that the RIAA simply does not care about your situation in their allegations.
Distributing and obtaining copyrighted material (without paying for it) is illegal, however I cannot concede that this is the proper action that should be taken. So I'm putting out the warning to everyone. Remember that at least 3 people always know what you do online: you, your ISP and the location from which you download (i.e. the website, ftp, or P2P). The RIAA is directly targetting individual users. If you are using something like KaZaa and share files you are at risk (yes you!). In the least, I urge you to educate yourself regarding this issue, which undoubtedly will become worse in the near future.
2 Comments:
Mike on July 26, 2003 ~ 01:01 AM
cuz i only leech files, i never share ‘em. there are now versions of P2P software dat allegedly helps u remain anonymous from da RIAA. i dont kno da details of how it works tho.
Mauriat Miranda on July 26, 2003 ~ 10:10 AM
You mean you only leech non copyrighted files. :) However if everyone followed your philosophy, P2P networks would effectively crumble. Which is obviously the RIAA’s intention. There are versions of Kazaa which protect privacy (Google for Kazaa K++) but they are not 100% foolproof. Not all programs have this (WinMX, Bearshare, etc.). In my best understanding people who are at most risk:
* use programs with no privacy protection (Standard Kazaa for example)
* share multiple files on these networks (SuperNodes on Kazaa)
* are using high speed internet, particularily cable modems
* keep their computer online 24/7 (probably downloading stuff in the process)
* have no firewall or use a direct connection to the internet