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Will the heavy fines stop the downloading of free content from the internet?
By marina321
@marina321 (4556)
August 26, 2008 4:36pm CST
Recently, another unlucky person has been heavily fined for illegally downloading copyrighted material on the internet and was wondering if any of the recent and past headlines on this have put any people off downloading free music, videos, movies and other content from the internet?
Some of the people who have been fined so far have been using P2P networks and file sharing sites and one may wonder why these particular sites do not get fined for first of all, providing the platforms (protocols or web technologies) to allow this file sharing to take place and two, for allowing people to upload and share this illegal material?Should those who download content be the ones fined or just those that upload this content? Shouldn't the sites be fined too?
It seems that Internet Service Providers here will be sending out warning letters to people who are downloading illegal content but it seems this is like picking out a fish in a sea of billions of which the one picked is the very unlucky one
if the case goes further..
What do you think of these cases you may have heard of to date? Are they fair? Are the heavy fines imposed fair?
Something that has gone on for so many years beforehand and been ignored(and is now embellished in some people) has got to stop
.
Isn't one of the more 'important' and more interesting uses of having access to the internet at home going to be lost and as a result ISPs lose out on customers for their most valuable product and thus will not police this as much as they should and continue to make examples of a few individuals?
Should ISPs be monitoring users to this extent? Should some people be made an example of or the whole population? or drop the whole thing as there's little chance of it coming to a halt..Many of the most popular internet sites may need to close if this was done by tackling the sites themselves and companies could be suing companies and it could be a fine mess..
Isn't it just a waste of time to fine users without tackling the root of the problem which is the people who upload this content and make it available to those that download it and the sites that permit and allow illegal content on them? Is this a good way to police the internet? Should this be done?
Will this put you off downloading free content from the internet? Do you check that it is legal content you are downloading? Is it all licensed?
Do you know if it is legal content? Is it really worth the risk of not knowing? or do you just not care as you may be the lucky fish that gets away..:)
if the case goes further..
What do you think of these cases you may have heard of to date? Are they fair? Are the heavy fines imposed fair?
Something that has gone on for so many years beforehand and been ignored(and is now embellished in some people) has got to stop.
Isn't one of the more 'important' and more interesting uses of having access to the internet at home going to be lost and as a result ISPs lose out on customers for their most valuable product and thus will not police this as much as they should and continue to make examples of a few individuals?
Should ISPs be monitoring users to this extent? Should some people be made an example of or the whole population? or drop the whole thing as there's little chance of it coming to a halt..Many of the most popular internet sites may need to close if this was done by tackling the sites themselves and companies could be suing companies and it could be a fine mess..
Isn't it just a waste of time to fine users without tackling the root of the problem which is the people who upload this content and make it available to those that download it and the sites that permit and allow illegal content on them? Is this a good way to police the internet? Should this be done?
Will this put you off downloading free content from the internet? Do you check that it is legal content you are downloading? Is it all licensed?
Do you know if it is legal content? Is it really worth the risk of not knowing? or do you just not care as you may be the lucky fish that gets away..:)5 people like this
16 responses
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
26 Aug 08
I think that it should be the uploaders that bear the brunt of this, I mean users go on the internet and like me if something is free and it looks good I have it. Especially music, being a big music lover I am really tempted by free downloads. Now though I shall not dare download anything because it would just be my luck to get caught! I have never checked for it being legal or licensed but I would not, it is just not worth the risk to me of being unlucky.
2 people like this
@marina321 (4556)
•
26 Aug 08
I am also a music lover and also watch TV episodes and movies online...
I can get the whole point of view of the music, games and films industry but the content is available and FREE online so shouldn't they be suing the uploaders and sites that are not policing this, not the users/downloadees who are only after a bargain where they can find one?
Even then, shouldn't they have started sooner before the younger generations picked up on this?
They may be suing left, right and center for a while..
Even then, shouldn't they have started sooner before the younger generations picked up on this? They may be suing left, right and center for a while..1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
27 Aug 08
That's right bigtom! A lot of people who do not have the time to sit and watch TV programmes at the time that they're aired could find themselves sued for watching those TV episode links online too as well as those that upload them and a lot of poor people who can't afford to watch movies in cinemas e.g some have to pay for a sitter to watch the kids and the tickets..Others just can't afford to go to a cinema period or can't afford to buy music or films, why wouldn't they use the available FREE online links? don't know..
They haven't even yet eliminated these people you see on the streets trying to make a living selling those copies done with someone sitting in the cinema with a videocam haha:)
Maybe in years to come, we'll all be myLotting
A lot of people who do not have the time to sit and watch TV programmes at the time that they're aired could find themselves sued for watching those TV episode links online too as well as those that upload them and a lot of poor people who can't afford to watch movies in cinemas e.g some have to pay for a sitter to watch the kids and the tickets..Others just can't afford to go to a cinema period or can't afford to buy music or films, why wouldn't they use the available FREE online links? don't know..
They haven't even yet eliminated these people you see on the streets trying to make a living selling those copies done with someone sitting in the cinema with a videocam haha:)
Maybe in years to come, we'll all be myLotting1 person likes this
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
29 Aug 08
yes they should be fined. I buy all my music from a store. Or I listen to radio not on comp. my cd player. you see it's like running a red light if you do it you get a fine if you get caught. And if you have all the music in your house on cd's that you bought from store I think your ok. But you know it's still stealing and that is wrong. That is someone's paycheck. You have to think of it that way. Say it is the little guy that put's the CD in the box. He loose's his job because everyone is on comp. stealing songs. see.
@marina321 (4556)
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30 Aug 08
I get your point onlydia but with all the advancements in technology, I am still surprised that people expect their CD and DVD sales to be as they were years ago..
We're talking CD burners, DVD recorders and burners, highspeed internet,online networks - they need to realise there's no way around it, there's people who do not even know what the word copywright means
sad, but true but they can download and burn CDs and DVDs!
Maybe they should be fining the people who facilitate these technologies..
sad, but true but they can download and burn CDs and DVDs!
Maybe they should be fining the people who facilitate these technologies..
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
27 Aug 08
I think this is an unfair way they are doing..People download stuffs in the internet because the site says it is ok to download. Why would people download it if it's not. They should fine the owner of the site or have it closed down. Why does the people who were allowed to download have to suffer when they know not that it is illegal to download without permission from the higher authority. I never knew if what I am downloading is legal or not because it doesn't say so. I myself download stuffs from the internet and along with billions of people who do. Poor people who gets blamed for downloading when it's the site who should be blamed.
@marina321 (4556)
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30 Aug 08
I agree some companies and sites need to really vet what's on their sites and not let users take the pan for it, they should be fined to..
@jittushahi (237)
• India
27 Aug 08
The downloading can be stop by imposing heavy fine but evry person who are downloading the copyright material. People download the material because it is free and do not like to spend money by purchasing it
1 person likes this
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
28 Aug 08
I do not download from the internet or at least I do not do it any more I used to download music but the risk is too high that it might be illegal and I do not wish to have to pay fines,I am sure that even though people get fined for downloading illegally it will not slow other down,as they are certain they will not get caught and that it is worth the risk,same thing probably goes with people who shoplift,they think they will never get caught.
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
30 Aug 08
That is true but with the more PC's and security that is coming around it is a lot easier to get caught shoplifting,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting my friend.
@marina321 (4556)
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30 Aug 08
I think the chances of not getting caught with this one are a lot higher than those of the shoplifter even.. the billions of PCs in this world!
but I do get the point hellcowboy
but I do get the point hellcowboy1 person likes this
@sudhasarath (1)
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27 Aug 08
i dont think so. people should read the terms and conditions before buying anything. its the better way to avoid these kind of stuffs
@marina321 (4556)
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30 Aug 08
As much as there's T&Cs sites are well aware some users (in this case uploaders) do not really abide by the copywright rules so they should be doing their own policing on top of the T&Cs, just like here on myLot where posts are deleted if the guidelines are violated!
@shana123 (2095)
• India
27 Aug 08
For me downloading anything is charged by my service provider even the free stuffs which has been uploaded in the internet is charged if the kilobyetes is high they charge us more.. so for me instead of downloading from net i feel going to the shop and byuing any songs or movies would be much cheaper that what i download.. for us its not like downloading free stuff is illegal.., but copywrited things shouldnt be downloaded.. if the law for us is like everything is illegal surely i will dare not.. so i will stay away from it.. who knows when i will have the chance to be fined.,?
@marina321 (4556)
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30 Aug 08
I think maybe you use dial up? I use broadband and it's all included in my service charge and I do not get charged seperately for downloading.
Someone (previous poster) also says you're pretty safe since you're in India
Someone (previous poster) also says you're pretty safe since you're in India
@Dadexter (438)
• Pakistan
27 Aug 08
Yo Man!!! you are very right!!!.....This can never improve the scenario, until and unless the governments of the world sit together and do something about the internet companies which provided theses services, I believe...governments should fine the companies which these kind of sharing and downloading services....
By the way, I myself download a lot stuff from the internet, And as I am a pakistani, I have no fear that someone will come to me telling me that It is illegal, for at least next 10 years, as far as it is not illegal here....I will keep doin it,
Thanks for the discussion
@marina321 (4556)
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30 Aug 08
I do agree there's still a lot to be done with the companies and sites that provide the services so it could take a decade or so to catch up with all of them and by then new technologies would have cropped up so should be a bit of a merry-go round
Thanks for your response!
Thanks for your response!
@bigtom1 (1573)
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26 Aug 08
I think the fines they bang on offenders, usually a few people are inhumane and too much. looking at the potential losses resulting from the 'illegal' downloads and the resulting fine, it just doesn't make sense.
Most of the software people use to download these things come from the same recommended merchants yet they say its still illegal.
If we take a look at the number of people involved, it won't work and since this is done globally, it would need unlikely cooperation from other countries as well.
Free content is very good form of marketing and promotion way on the internet and if its offered for free then there shouldn't be any problems with downloading them.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
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27 Aug 08
Hi marina321,
I'm sorry but people should not be downloading illegal stuff and if they know its illegal and I'm not sorry they got caught but the law try and get the bigger fish first. I do not understand all those things that are going on, but people should not be doing these thing against the law.
Tamara
@marina321 (4556)
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27 Aug 08
Hi Tamara, I do not think a lot of people know that the content they may be downloading is illegal and I too think the law should be looking out for the people higher up this chain than the user they are suing as tackling the users does not get rid of the source of the problem..
and I too think the law should be looking out for the people higher up this chain than the user they are suing as tackling the users does not get rid of the source of the problem..
@pkraj111 (2458)
• India
27 Aug 08
No fines are not going to stop downloads. They will be buried with different names and no one will have an idea what is being downloaded. It is trying to find a pin in haystack. The only way to fight this is by providing softwares at affordable prices.
@marina321 (4556)
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27 Aug 08
I do not see fines stopping this and yes, it will be disguised and someone may come up with a way to copywright everything falsely that is if they aren't already..
I think this does not only apply to software, it applies to music and movies which should be also provided at affordable prices and by that I mean, prices that the second and third world countries can afford as it is likely never going to stop.. I am sure you have come across thoseillegal CDs and DVDs sold on the streets
@danrunsfast614 (1396)
• United States
14 Sep 08
In short, I don't think it will, people will find ways around it or think they are safe one way or another.
@MaNNNNNiaC (5)
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27 Aug 08
Hi ! I am from Romania :d .. in our Country everbody download from the net .. music and movies ... That is not legal but they don t have enought money to buy original cd's with music or movies :)
We know that is ilegal ... but we don't have what to do ... :( :d
@marina321 (4556)
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27 Aug 08
I think the prices of music CDs and DVDs can really not be afforded by many including those in the countries where they're made
. A significant reduction in this would reduce piracy and the illegal online content that people make an effort to seek out
. A significant reduction in this would reduce piracy and the illegal online content that people make an effort to seek out @Bobbysox (224)
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14 Sep 08
WOW long post there marina,but im not convinced that the fines will stop anything much really,if they want to cheat then cheat they will,and whatever happens there will always bee things and ways to help get around it all.I have to admit ive downloaded the odd song or two,but nothing major,and ive recently joined I tunes anbd that lets me buy some music at a reasonable price.A friend of mine used to download some for me and then mail it to me,it was good,but it took time to do it,maybe time he didnt have to spare,but I tunes is good anyway.I recvkon like everything if they want to illegally download then come what may they will finsd a way.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
14 Sep 08
I think that heavy fines may have a partial effect on cutting down pirated software. If illegal software is hosted in countries when there are no strict legislation on piracy than it is a bit difficult to tackle the issue. Another issue to be tackled is why DVD/music prices have to be high. Why they are not affordable to everybody’s pocket? This should discourage piracy!
@iyah10 (4115)
• Kuwait
27 Aug 08
I used to download from the internet and I pay it tot he company just to joined and download all the things I need like movies and music that i want to make....and it is not so expensive as well within a year and much more better than I have to buy a DVd or Cd's for songs that I want......
