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Innocent File-Sharers Could Appear Guilty?
daveo0331 writes " New Scientist has an article about what could be a promising defense strategy for people targeted by the RIAA. Basically, anyone on the Gnutella network can frame other users by making it look like someone is hosting RIAA music, even though they're not. Therefore, the RIAA's "evidence" against file sharers is theoretically unreliable and wouldn't stand as good a chance of holding up in court. No mention of whether this has anything to do with the RIAA's eagerness to settle the lawsuits out of court. The article is based on a research paper (PDF link, HTML version) posted anonymously to a web hosting service in Australia."
Especially since there was one in the summary, cumbubble.
Hey does anyone know if Winmx users (clearly the best filesharing client in existence) are being subpoenaed by the record industry?
Competition in America: If you can't beat 'em, Sue 'em!
It's better that I caught him than the police or an FBI sting operation. Not only would they have taken his laptop, but they could have taken him as well, or taken his rights to use any computer away.
In any event, no one here has anymore right to judge my parenting skills than I do. I think I speak for the majority of Mac users by saying that we don't appreciate sarcasm and most of all being talked down to. good day.
Phoenix Freeway Update
Well, I went to the South Mountain Corridor public meeting today (10/01), and let me just tell you guys right up front, this freeway *is* going to be built. There's really no way around it at this point.
The meeting I attended was near the Pecos alignment, the very same alignment that has been so controversial the last few years and the very same where there has been so much public opposition. In fact, the school where the meeting was held was actually 2 blocks away from Pecos alignment (ironically, the high school it was held at would face destruction in ROW acquisitions).
The atmosphere was tense. People were shouting and acting irrationally. These people do NOT want the freeway built in their backyard. Heated words were exchanged. The ADOT staff tried very hard to be calm and to respond to these people rationally. One lady, Janet Wood, even went so far to suggest that, since it is going to be a hazardous cargo route (which there is no evidence of), there is the possibility of a nuclear incident in her backyard!!
There are 5 options being studied right now. Every single one of those options has the South Mountain Freeway aligned at Pecos Rd for the east-west segment but varies in the north-south. Generally speaking, there are 3 basic north-south corridors; one connecting to Interstate 10 at 55th Ave, one connecting to Interstate 10 at 75th Ave, and one connecting to Interstate 10 at the 101 freeway (its actually one mile off the 101 but will have direct ramp connections). The latter will have 3 different alignments of getting to the 101.
There is still only the Pecos Rd alignment officially at this point, but the Arizona Department of Transportation has given us their assurances that they are speaking with the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) to discuss the possibility of building an alignment on their farmland. This would make most of the Awkatukhee residents happy, but since the GRIC is a sovereign nation, the Government has no control over what to do. In fact, the GRIC residents passed a proposal in 2000 that no new freeways could ever cross their land.
The timeline for this freeway is relatively high-speed. A final location will be chosen within the 7 months, unless the GRIC suddenly allows an alignment on their property. After that, the final Design Concept Report will be filed with the Federal Highway Administration. This DCR is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.
From there, if the sales tax extension is passed this May, then it will be funded in Phase II. It will be constructed between 2010-2015. This is going to be the *first* Arizona Freeway to build HOV lanes at the same time as regular lane. It is expected to have an Average Daily Traffic of more than 155,000 by 2025. Thus it will be built to that capacity - 3 general purpose lanes and 1 HOV lanes each direction.
If you are curious about other Arizona freeways and highways, some of it did get brought up at the meeting. Here is what I know. The SR 85 between I-8 and I-10 (in the Canamex corridor) is being widened to 4 total lanes for its entire length of ~40 miles, but it will NOT be upgraded to full freeway until after 2025. There are funding limitations.
Furthermore, the current corridor study of the collector-distributor roadway in between Baseline Rd and 32nd St is going well. Get this -- they are looking at building a 22 or 24 lane freeway (!!!!!!!) in this portion to handle the 2025 Average Daily Traffic of 450,000+. And the 22 or 24 lane freeway is what they are looking at *assuming* the South Mountain is built - if its not, it could easily be at 30! A 22 lane freeway is easiest the largest freeway in North America, and as far as I know, the world..
This update was brought to you by the GNAA - Gay Niggers Association of America. Are you gay? Are you a nigger? Are you a gay nigger? Then join us in #gnaa on EFnet.
I don't understand all the "can't afford to fight the case" statements. Since when does it cost money to have your ass hauled into court? Is it the price of the defense attorney alone? Do you really NEED a lawyer, what about pleading your case yourself.. "no I wasn't sharing mp3s and here's proof ______".
It seems like if someone can build a strong case against you then yea it might cost a lot of money for a team of law monkeys to defend against it.. but for these stinky IP address shady kazaa bs RIAA cases is it really necessary?
bite my glorious golden ass.
Everyone was guilty!