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Can RIAA Lawsuits be Blocked by Routers?

Posted by Cliff on from the burden-of-evidence dept.

Chris Frank asks: "With the RIAA stepping up its pressure on internet sharers, what is the legal status of people behind apartment routers? With no logging of who is moving what who can the RIAA prosecute when it tracks a shared file back to that specific shared internet account? I would imagine that many Slashdot readers are behind routers that hold all of their internal IPs private to the outside world. Is the bill payer responsible for all of the users of that router? How can a person be held accountable for the actions of others, especially when there is no proof of who did what?"

6 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. Their new tactic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Everytime you download an MP3 the RIAA kills a kitten.

    1. Re:Their new tactic by WhiteBandit · · Score: 4, Funny

      Err, while I know people are hesitant clicking sites that end in .cx (and I'll probably be rated a troll by people who don't check the link) I remember finding the picture here. Not sure if it was before or after the Fark thing though.

      http://www.oralse.cx/contrib/domokunkitty.jpg :sigh: Yes, it has "oral" in the link... it *is* safe! (Though someone browsing through your history log might not think so, but regardless.)

    2. Re:Their new tactic by cdrudge · · Score: 2, Funny

      While it's not the pills chasing the kitten, I've always liked Bonsai Kittens.

  2. heh by The+Clockwork+Troll · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... and thus the "NAT defense" was invented.

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    There are no karma whores, only moderation johns
  3. ISP May Drop You, But... by Chilltowner · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm not sure if that will get you in hot water with the RIAA. Yes, you may be violating your user agreement with the ISP. Worst case, they drop you. But it still leaves open the question of who was doing the file trading. You may wind up without your broadband connection, but, without proof of who did the downloading, an RIAA suit wouldn't have much to go on.

    In fact, it is possible that everyone behind the router could be file-sharing. As long as the cloud of doubt remains, though (and the router logs remain non-existant), the router owner shouldn't be on the hook for anything beyond violating the terms of service with their provider.

    Of course, IANAL, so ignore all of that and buy all of your music for full price at Best Buy. Rat out your friends. Run Win XP. Choose a starter home. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage...

  4. ObFamilyGuy by sharkey · · Score: 2, Funny
    The original quote: Every time you masturbate, God kills a kitten. Please think of the kittens

    Peter: Why did all the dinosaurs die?
    Museum Guide: Because you touch yourself at night.

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    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.