MPAA Releases Software For Parents

SnowWolf2003 writes "The MPAA have released their Parent File Scan tool, which 'helps consumers check whether their computers have peer-to-peer software and potentially infringing copies of motion pictures and other copyrighted material'. According to the MPAA, the software does not report any data back to the MPAA. However, users have noted that the software is not accurate; 'tagging' virtually every audio or video file it finds based on file extensions."

Comments

This is great!

[Lostie]

Now we have a tool that lists all the filenames the MPAA are looking for, so if you don't fancy getting sued when using P2P, simply rename your downloaded files and use this handy tool to find out if the rename was effective or not. Thanks MPAA!

Hmm...

[kernel_dan]

Does it work on linux?

Re:Hmm...

[kyouteki]

Here's the Linux version:

find / -name '*jpg' -o -name '*mpg' -o -name '*avi' -o -name '*mp3' -exec rm {} \;

Re:Hmm...

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, that's wrong, it's:

find / -name '*jpg' -o -name '*mpg' -o -name '*avi' -o -name '*mp3' -exec rm -rf /{} \;

Re:Hmm...

[sgant]

It would tag everything in Linux and Linux itself as illegal and a "hacking tool" because I'm sure they all think that anyone that uses Linux is a hacker/cracker and by using Linux itself, which is free and powerfull, goes against buying things in general.

It would also probably call the cops on you as a terrorist like the poor bloke that donated money using Lynx.

(the above was being sarcastic...I love Linux, use it every day and in no way really mean to impune the reputation of anyone that uses the fine fine software known as Linux.)

Heh.

[numbski]

1. Download tool.
2. Submit definition to ClamWin and other A/V firms.
3. Profit!!!

Programmed Entirely In Mom's Basement

[American AC in Paris]

Running scan...

Found [1] file(s):
C:\WINDOWS\UPDATE\AUTODOWNLOAD\TEMP\39FWI25\FOO\ DOWNWITHBIGBROTHER.MP3

Notify Ministry of Peace? (Y/y):

XXX

[R0UTE]

Does this mean my parents would now be able to view my perfectly legal porno collection if they installed it on my machine ? better get hiding it! Oh no wait I don't live with my parents, what a relief :)

Sure, right here

[georgeha]

find / -name "*.mp3" -print >> stolenmp3.txt
find / -name "*.avi" -print >> stolenvid.txt

Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along.

[Saven Marek]

Here it reported my PC's HP printer drivers as p2p software.

Go MPAA, I maybe I could print out a flickbook with every frame from LOTR and give it away to friends.

Best little online community

I can hear it now

[ChipMonk]

"Son?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"I got that tool from the MPAA, and I found some stuff on your computer."

"Dad, I can explain."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"But I--"

"Didn't I teach you to share? Now come on, let's find some good Doobie Brothers..."

Re:I can hear it now

[Ubergrendle]

(REALITY - ALTERNATE VERSION)

"Son?"
"Yes Dad?"
"I ran this MPAA tool on your computer. Looks like you've been downloading alot of movies illegally, and --"
"Dad, isn't this similar to the illegal satellite hookup you have?"
"Uh, yes but..."
"And does Mom know about those channels you watch late at night when she's asleep?"
"Uh, no but..."
"You can leave my allowance on my desk, and close the door on the way out..."

Reality

[nullvector]

I can just see it now...

Mother - "Johnny! I'm going to use this new tool from 'the Man' to see if you've been doing anything illegal on here!"

Kid - "Oh no!"

Father - "Whoa you've been a busy little pirate haven't you?"

Kid "ARRRRR...."

Mother - "Go get the popcorn! I just found the new Johnny Depp movie!"

Father - "Wow! This is awesome, you can download these things for free? SWEEET!"

Ver 2

[Stormcrow309]

I hear that they are working on ver 2 of this software. It checks for any tax returns and/or money management programs on your pc, calculates your net worth to see if you are worth sueing, generates some infractions on your pc, and signs you up for a law suit.

Re:Not just "virtually"

[Antonymous Flower]

Warning: your children may be exposed to thoughts and/or ideas. Death or serious injury may occur.

Does it find the butchered MGM movies

[Timo_UK]

and send you an automatic refund for their f***-up ?(if they are legal copies). I wish

YES!!!!

[gomaze]

Now I can keep up with what porn my dad is downloading. Why do they always assume that it is the younger generation that is the problem.

-----
No, I will not touch you there

She's absolutely right

[numbski]

You should be actively involved.

Talk with your kids. Make sure they know what Kazaa-Lite is and how to use it. Make sure they know about encryption and how to use it.

Even better, make sure they use something like mldonkey instead. They more you're involved with your kids, the better odds are that they will turn out how you want them to. ;)

Re:She's absolutely right

[pla]

Talk with your kids. Make sure they know what Kazaa-Lite is and how to use it. Make sure they know about encryption and how to use it.

Oh, puh-lease. A decade ago, I had to teach my parents how to properly and safely download... er... "material of questionable legality".

We always hear about "the" uncomfortable father-son (or mother-daughter) talk about sex, but the reverse case feels even wierder...

"Uh... Dad, I found some interesting files on your computer."
"Oh, er, uh, those must have come from... uh... one of those pop-up trap pages"
"Dad, we all look at porn. But these lame 30-second video clips? Sigh. C'mere. Let me introduce you to USENet... Here, add all these groups... Check here to only show complete posts... Click here to watch the first part to see if you want the whole thing, and keep in mind that you can't always trust what the subject says... Now, if you like it, highlight the whole list with that same subject line, and download it. There you go, a full-length 15 minute feature."

Re:She's absolutely right

[MustardMan]

...instructions for downloading usenet porn

*TAKES NOTES*

C'mon, not all of us know how to use usenet.

Thank you for the valuable service you've provided.

Anti-MPAA Software For Kids

[lbmouse]

So who is going to be the first to write software that will circumvent the MPAA Parent File Scan tool?

Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along.

[Frymaster]

saven marek: Here it reported my PC's HP printer drivers as p2p software.

original post: that the software is not accurate; 'tagging' virtually every audio or video file it finds based on file extensions.

mpaa tracking software successfully reverse engineered!

find . -name "*p*" > ./.mpaa && mail spooks@mpaa.com ./.mpaa

Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along.

[NetNifty]

It is P2P software... PC 2 Printer!

Linux version

[wertarbyte]

find / -iregex '.*\.\(avi\|wmv\|mpg\|mp3\|ogg\)' | while read FILE; do
echo "$FILE belongs to us, Resistance is futile."
done

Re:Let me get this straight...

[Anita Coney]

I guess it's too complicated for me! I cannot even distinguish between *.MP3 and *.MPG!

Re:Irony alert

[Anonymous Coward]

Step 1. This post is Copyright © 2005 Cowards of the World. All rights reserved.
Step 2. Use MPAA tool to find illegal copy of this post; use results from MPAA tool to make more illegal copies.
Step 3. Sue MPAA for contributory infringement; Profit!

Re:Handy form to notify FBI?

[nomadic]

Just send those subversive kids to prison where they belong.

Might appeal to the parent who doesn't want the little bastards around, but doesn't want to spring for expensive boarding schools.

In other news..

[TractorBarry]

In other news here in the U.K. the police have also produced a handy fill in form for you to list anything you've done "that you think they should be aware of". These forms are available from any good police station (open 12:00 'til 12:10, Aug 15th only)

Customs & Excise are expected to follows suit soon after with the Departments of Work and Pensions and the Child Support Agency lagging not far behind.

And don't forgot... You can also fill them in on behalf of your friends, neighbours, spouse or kids.

Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along.

[giantsfan89]

nonono, you've got it all wrong:

find . -name "*m*" "*p*" "*a*" | mail spooks@mpaa.com -s "AARRRGGGGG!!"

Cruel Irony

[tomcreer]

Wow, this software actually helped me find some music I didn't know I had. I suggest them putting a 'delete duplicate files' option in and this could come quite popular..

Hey, I Tried to be a Good Citizen, but...

[snookerdoodle]

$ wine: cannot determine executable type for L"Z:\\home\\mark\\Downloads\\ParentFileScan_setup. msi"

Re:Not just "virtually"

[davron05]

Does it tag .wav files? If so, and the program says they're infringing files, which leads someone to delete them, Windows might not be too happy about that...

It indeed does tag all wav files found in Windows directory as possibly illegal files. Maybe the guys at MPAA figured out that Microsoft used a cracked version of SoundForge to create those files :)

Since this IS Slashdot...

[gosand]

Here's the Linux version:
find / -name '*jpg' -o -name '*mpg' -o -name '*avi' -o -name '*mp3' -exec rm {} \;

Since this is Slashdot, I have to ask: But does it support ogg?

Re:I don't see any data being sent...

[Laebshade]

Maybe that's some other application you have installed.

That was Kazaa (or [insert other P2P software here]) saying, "Shit we've been spotted!"