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States Threaten P2P Companies

The Importance of writes "C|Net News reports that 46 state attorneys general are warning P2P companies of dire, unnamed consequences for continuing to exist, 'At present, P2P software has too many times been hijacked by those who use it for illegal purposes to which the vast majority of our consumers do not wish to be exposed.' Read the letter here (pdf) [PDF], or the annotated text version."

21 of 690 comments (clear)

  1. Good old Mr Wasden.. by boogy+nightmare · · Score: 2, Funny

    Where the holy hell is IDADHO....

    As a member of the UK am i missing something or is this just simple stupidity on a very stupid letter ??

    --
    Kingdom of Loathing (www.kingdomofloathing.com) Addicted is me
  2. Thank you!! by iantri · · Score: 4, Funny
    Oh, thank you, State Attorney Generals for protecting me from an unwanted deluge of free music, movies, and software to which I do not wish to be exposed!

    After all, it isn't like you have to intentionally download P2P software, or anything, to get it, right?

  3. Anyone surprised that AGs are clueless about P2P? by Ronald+Dumsfeld · · Score: 5, Funny
    You've gotta love the bit in the letter where your computer supposedly gets on the Internet and fileshares with the power off...
    Furthermore, P2p file-sharing technology can allow its users to access the files of others, even when the computer is "off" if the computer itself is connected to the Internet via broadband.
    Cretins.

    Now, what I really want to see is the letter(s) the RIAA and MPAA sent to the AGs to prompt this action.
    --
    Where's the Kaboom?
    There's supposed to be an Earth-shattering Kaboom.
  4. Re:eDonkey by Walkiry · · Score: 4, Funny

    > I work for MetaMachine, authors of eDonkey. I find it rather funny that we don't have a copy of this letter...

    Have you checked your "Spam" mail directory?

    --
    ---- Take the Space Quiz!
  5. Re:guns.. by rokzy · · Score: 2, Funny

    yeah, why not just take the generalisation one step further and be done with accuracy altogether:

    "$thing is used to perform acts, including criminal acts"

  6. A slight change in tune... by Lavospawn · · Score: 2, Funny

    It would seem that the emphasis on music/software has changed somewhat. Again, our buddies in Congress are attacking music; only in a much different way:

    Several years ago, the emphasis was placed on the fact that all [new] music was bad. You had Senators attempting to pass legislation banning rap, punk, skateboarding (since people listened to music while skateboarding), and video games.

    Now, they paint the recording companies as the poor kid who's getting beaten for his lunch money. You should purchase CD's, because if you damned whippersnappers are gonna listen to that crap, then at least we need to make some cash from the deal.

    Such tripe.

    --
    The logic of war is such that if the beligerent can fight, they will.
  7. Re:This makes as much sense... by finkployd · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes, lets get rid of all the gun manufacturers. In fact let's get rid of all the guns. Then we can all join hands, put flowers in our hair and sing together in peace and harmony. Why has nobody thought of this before?

    Finkployd

  8. Right. by AugstWest · · Score: 3, Funny

    What's next, FTP?

    "Our research people have also discovered that large numbers of pirated files are being transferred over something called 'FTP.' Our lawyers have advised us that we should immediately sue everyone who uses FTP software."

  9. Re:Double Standard by archen · · Score: 4, Funny

    Words that work really well:

    Politicians
    Democrats
    Republicans

  10. Re:(censored) idiots... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    protection from an oppressive government

    This is not a legitimate use of firearms. This is a legitimate use of explosives or shoulder-fired missiles. If that reason is to be taken seriously, better start campaigning for legal SAMs.

    Unless you'd like to demonstrate how you can take out a light tank with a rifle.

  11. Evil computers that are OFF by Vicegrip · · Score: 3, Funny

    Furthermore, P2P file-sharing technology can allow its users to access the files of other users, even when the computer is "off" if the computer itself is connected to the Internet via broadband.

    Nice to know these are some of the watchdogs keeping us safe from Microsoft's excesses. It's amazing 46 AGs read this and actually signed it. Yes, ladies and gentlement, even when your kid's computer is off it is being used to traffic porn.

    Apparently the demonic forces in Doom3 are also possessing the computers of a lot of silly lawyers.

    --
    Do not spread "09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0" over the internet, thank you.
  12. Re:This makes as much sense... by Crizp · · Score: 2, Funny

    What the hell do you think guns were invented for? And you call the other guy stupid.

    Sure, guns were invented for having fun shooting at paper with circles drawn on it. Right.

  13. Re:This makes as much sense... by C.Batt · · Score: 2, Funny

    They are not designed to kill. They are designed to enable humans to kill with greater ease.

    If guns were designed with some sort of AI that automatically aquires hostile targets and is directd to use lethal force against them, then yes, I would then say guns would be designed to kill.

    --
    -- All views expressed in this post are mine and do not
    -- reflect those of my employer or their clients
  14. Re:This makes as much sense... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Skeet. And unlike chess, its an olympic sport.

  15. Wow ... by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Funny
    Hey homey, want to deal with that bloke whoes been banging your girl?


    Wow ... homey and bloke appearing in the sentence.
    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  16. Re:This makes as much sense... by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why don't we settle this the old fashioned way.

    Meet you at dawn, you have your hard core illicit, illegal p2p Client, and I'll bring a big gun.

    there is absolutely no comparison, you cite just ONE example of real actual harm that a p2p client has done.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  17. State Attorney General Warning... by zouic · · Score: 2, Funny

    They could also add this in P2P software:

    State Attorney General Warning:
    This software can cause porn on your computer

  18. Re:This makes as much sense... by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Funny

    "What else are they designed to do? Play chess?"

    You can settle disputes, turn off the TV, and scare the cat. Sounds more like a swiss-army knife to me!

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  19. Re:Anyone surprised that AGs are clueless about P2 by jubei · · Score: 2, Funny

    In one sense that statement could be considered correct, however. Once a file hits P2P networks, it is very difficult to remove.

    One can shut off or even destroy one's computer, and the files will still be available to all.

    The broadband bit doesn't seem to fit, unless they mean that the broadband connection will allow other P2P users to get all the files on your hard drive in a reasonable amount of time.

  20. for ignorance... by zoloto · · Score: 2, Funny

    karma be damned:

    I'm sure you've never taken an economics class but let me break it down for you.

    Consumer(s) = individual(s) of a large/small demographic who buys good. i.e. they consume. // we're all consumers

    Customer = said specific consumer of which is more personal, human, than the aforementioned generalization.

    (this next part is oblig. b/c of some nut jobs)
    citizen = member of a country, society; consumer, customer, human being etc etc.

    What everyone fails to acknowledge here is that the market-droids or other execs use "consumer" as just a way to simplify what we are. We are consumers. It doesn't change the fact that we are customers (of bartering, by purchase or other method) of any company and it doesn't change the fact that we want to be recognized as human beings.

    Lax concern for peoples easily hurt feelings isn't their problem. You're in control of your emotional state (for the most people, bi-polars and schitzo's exempt) and you're in charge of your education. If you become offended at the notion of being called a consumer then I suggest you get some more education by whatever means you deem fit at that period of your life by university or independent study. Face it, we are ALL consumers. ALL OF US. YOU CAN NOT, NOT, BE A CONSUMER. This is a fact of life and their non-nonchalant, trivial use of the word hurting your own feelings really shows character of what you don't know.

    Ignorance is not a plea, and by whining about it because you demand "respect to the people" (which is valid in many situations) won't change the fact that you may need a little more of an education to realize that it's a general blanket statement to cover the entire buying population.

    sans some obvious mis-moderation, I'm not trolling or trying to be condescending. But this kind of reaction of "I'm not a consumer, I'm a xx xx citizen/customer" from people gets old, and truly shows how ignorant you are.

    Mods' please be gentle!

  21. Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions by npsimons · · Score: 2, Funny

    Then what are guns designed to do?

    Fire bullets. What that bullet hits is entirely the responsibility of the person firing the gun.


    Yes, I know originally guns were designed to kill (for hunting, mainly), but clubs were probably originally "designed" to kill (or harm) as well. Yet you wouldn't object to someone owning a hammer and using it to hammer nails, would you?


    Also, whether or not guns were designed to kill, they don't *have* to be used. There is something empowering in owning a device that tells others not to violate your rights unless they want a fairly large hole in them. It gives freedom to individuals, and draws a line in the sand most will not cross.