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MPAA Requests Immunity to Commit Cyber-Crimes

Posted by michael on from the how-low-can-this-nation-sink dept.

The news has been buzzing around for the last couple of days that Representative Berman, whose palm has been crossed with silver by the entertainment industry, would introduce a bill permitting copyright holders to hack or DoS people allegedly distributing their works without permission. Well, the bill has been introduced - read it and weep. Although the bill wouldn't allow copyright owners to alter or delete files on your machine, they would be allowed to DoS you in essentially any other way. Let me restate that: the MPAA and RIAA are asking that they be allowed to perform what would otherwise be federal and state criminal acts and civil torts, and you will have essentially no remedy against them under any laws of the United States.

4 of 1,049 comments (clear)

  1. Immoral acts by SpatchMonkey · · Score: 2, Flamebait

    But otherwise illegal acts are already carried out by ruling organizations - this already happens and is endorsed on a much wider scale.

    For example, the death penalty for serious crimes. It's murder - except when the government do it!

    And just look at religion. One of the commandments in Christianity is "you shall not murder". How hypocritical when their own god went and meticulously tortured and killed sections of a whole race of people (the Egyptians.)

    Don't be shocked about this. There are many, many occurances of the same sort of thing to show that history does indeed repeat itself.

  2. Re:What utter and complete crap by Zico · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    As uncool to say, and as extreme as it sounds, the digital sky is truly falling.

    You're right, that is uncool. Could you possibly come up with a lamer platitude? Wait, I know -- Information wants to be free!

    What a pathetic life you lead, I hope you've made sure the tinfoil cap that you wear is a comfortable fit.

  3. RTFB by anthony_dipierro · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    A copyright owner shall not be liable under subsection (a) for an act to which subsection (a) applies only if (A) the copyright owner has notified the Department of Justice, in such manner as the Attorney General shall specify, of the specific technologies the copyright owner intends to use to impair the unauthorized distribution, display, performance, or reproduction of the owner's copyrighted works over a publicly accessible peer-to-peer file trading network; and (B) the notification under paragraph (1) was made at least 7 days before the copyright owner engaged in the act.

    So yeah, Joe Sixpack can "impair the unauthorized distribution, display, performance, or reproduction of [Joe Sixpack's] works over a publicly accessible peer-to-peer file trading network," but only if Joe Sixpack registers with the federal government.

    Personally I think this bill is a step in the right direction. DoS attacks shouldn't be illegal in the first place.

  4. War Has Been Declared... guess who's gonna win?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    i always thought the fat cats sounded like pussy's bitching and moaning about mean old pirates....

    so they finally decided to grow some balls and waged war!

    too bad they didn't grow any brains.

    WTF are they thinking?! THE MOMENT, THE VERY INSTANT they open the floodgates on this thing, every hacker in the world is gonna declare open season on the MPAA, RIAA, etc, bastards!

    no law is gonna protect the them then!

    oh, i DARE THEM to do it! i DARE THEM to pass this law! this is nothing to fear people! oh i double DARE THEM!!!

    they will despise and curse the day!

    MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!