Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Stiffer Penalties for Copyright Violations

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the duck-and-cover dept.

smallfries writes "US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has proposed much harsher punishments for copyright violations, including jail time. The Intellectual Property Protection Act [PDF Warning] doesn't appear to change the fundamentals of US copyright law but does allow more leeway for the police when investigating suspected crimes, and harsher punishments for those convicted. A response with a link to one site's look at the bill is up on Linux Electrons. Now that attempting the crime has such severe consequences, who will be the first to go to jail for running a p2p client?"

16 of 502 comments (clear)

  1. BitTorrent by RequiemX · · Score: 5, Funny

    I use BitTorrent so I KNOW I'm safe...

    1. Re:BitTorrent by straight_up · · Score: 5, Funny

      $sys$torrent would be 100% safe if the RIAA listens to Sony music (and I bet they do)

      --
      Get your $sys$ camo tees now!
  2. Is it time yet? by suso · · Score: 3, Funny

    To jump ship? Someone tell me when.

  3. Guessing by josephdrivein · · Score: 5, Funny

    who will be the first to go to jail for running a p2p client?

    I hope it will be US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's daughter. THAT would be real fun.

    1. Re:Guessing by William-Ely · · Score: 2, Funny

      It won't be me! I use PeerGuardian.

      --
      Mod me down with all of your hatred, and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
  4. Copyslaughter by truthsolo · · Score: 5, Funny

    You are under arrest for the copyslaughter of [insert artist name/software title here].

    --
    MTSBWY
  5. What now by FidelCatsro · · Score: 4, Funny

    Embezzlement of countless billions : 5 years
    Stealing a slice of Pizza : life
    Murder : life or death penalty
    Copyright infringement : Life , then the death penalty , then your family are sold into slavery

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
  6. Re:It seems to me ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    It seems to me as a matter of principle, that any time the government wishes to criminalize what was previously a civil offense, it should have to demonstrate an overriding interest in doing so. I mean, this goes way beyond IP law. Basically what they're saying is, "Anything you can get sued for, we can also put you in jail for." They're erasing the line between civil and criminal law. Where the hell does this end?

    [cynical]
    Welcome to Neo-conservative America. Enjoy your stay (in jail).
    [/cynical]

  7. soon... by jp_fielding · · Score: 4, Funny

    it will be cheaper to simply murder all the witnesses.

  8. Re:It seems to me ... by TheMeuge · · Score: 5, Funny

    New criminal offenses in the US coming in the next 3 years

    1. Copying CDs
    2. Disabling, deleting or avoiding XXAA spyware/zombification tools
    3. Informing others or the press about the time you were taken to Turkey to be tortured.
    4. Knowing the reason why you were taken to Turkey to be tortured.
    5. Abortion
    6. Masturbation
    7. Using condoms or any other means of birth control
    8. Teaching evolution

  9. Downloading does kill people! by mangu · · Score: 4, Funny
    more people are killed each year by excessive speed than by excessive downloading


    You are wrong. Considering that downloaders are nothing but communists, and communism killed 170 million people, downloading is a far more dangerous crime than speeding.

  10. Re:It seems to me ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    9. Engaging in any sexual activity with anyone other than your government approved opposite sex spouse.
    10. Engaging in any sexual activity with the above mentioned spouse for purposes other than procreating.
    11. Engaging in foreplay with the above mentioned spouse.
    12. Engaging in sodomy** with the above mentioned spouse.

    **Sodomy is defined as any sexual activity other than the government pre approved and sanctioned missionary position or any sexual activity lasting longer than 3 minutes.

  11. Re:It seems to me ... by sd_diamond · · Score: 2, Funny

    Simpler yet: just lock everyone inside a Walmart Superstore!

    No, that's only for the illegal immigrants.

  12. Sueing their customers by freidog · · Score: 2, Funny

    didn't stop prolific copyright violations...

    So myabe putting them in jail will, that'll be sure to make everyone buy more CDs!

    I'd expect this from The Onion or the Daily Show, not the US Atorney General's office... *sigh*

  13. Re:They need to make up their mind by geert · · Score: 2, Funny

    Of course, unlike analog theft, digital theft is perfect!
    So the punishment should be perfect as well...

  14. Re:It seems to me ... by flyingsquid · · Score: 2, Funny
    "On December 31, 2004, there were 2,135,901 people in U.S. prisons and jails. The United States incarcerates a greater share of its population, 724 per 100,000 residents, more than any other country on the planet."

    Yes, but because of that, we also have the safest country on the planet, with the lowest rates of murder, drug use, theft and violent crime.

    Wait a minute, we don't? Never mind.