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Court Action Does Not Reduce File-Sharing

Posted by Zonk on from the shocking dept.

gollum123 wrote to mention a BBC report that despite numerous court cases, litigation does not appear to be reducing the amount of file-sharing. From the article: "The level of file-sharing has remained the same for two years despite 20,000 legal cases in 17 countries. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industries (IFPI) said it was 'containing" the problem and more people were connecting to broadband."

9 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. Obviously by Rekolitus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The more people that take court action, the more bitter people will be, and the less likely people will buy from them.

    1. Re:Obviously by mboverload · · Score: 5, Insightful

      > The more people that take court action, the more bitter people will be, and the less likely people will buy from them.

      Yep.

      Unlike some people, I have NO problem with the music they produce. I'm one of those losers that like Green Day. I like mainstream music like Dashboard Confessional, Fall Out Boy, or even Justin Timberlake. Big fucking deal. Sue me.

      However, I can't buy msuic from them on principal. Just like I wouldn't buy blankets from the online Al-qaeda shop, I can't buy music from them. Yes, an extreme example but it lays out my point in black and white:

      I don't buy things/support people/companies I think are "true evil".

      I don't buy from Walmart, I don't buy music from the RIAA, and I don't buy ten year old girls from the local human trafficker.

  2. Makes perfect sense to me... by balloot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The people who get nailed in court for file-sharing seem very remote. It just doesn't seem like a file-sharing conviction will ever affect "normal" people who just use Limewire every so often when they need something. These people make up 99% of the file-sharing population.

  3. Spin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    True, the level has stayed the same .. but perhaps without the lawsuits and FUD campaign the amount of file sharing would have grown?

    The number of users of iTunes and iPods music devices has increased, why hasnt the level of file sharing? Seems either lawsuits worked, or people prefer convenience of using the itunes store. I dont think it's healthy for the lawsuit factor should be blindly dismissed as ineffective.

    The point I actually want to make is we have to be objective and have to know where the threats are. After all, no point in ignoring something that might be true. Maybe counter FUD is needed, or better file sharing methods?

  4. They sure taught me a lesson! by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm taking my w4r3z back to Usenet and IRC, where it's safe.

    --
    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  5. You mean... by Pantero+Blanco · · Score: 5, Insightful

    1. People don't think that it's a big risk if there's a 1 in 100,000 chance they'll be the next one sued (especially if they don't swap too much).

    2. Suing people tends to piss them off, making them less likely to buy from you.

  6. Don't forget to crank up the phonograph by VampireByte · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They are called The International Federation of the Phonographic Industries? Wow, that explains the ancient mindset of the music industry. Imagine the automotive industry still refering to themselves as horseless carriage manufactures!

    --

    Run and catch, run and catch, the lamb is caught in the blackberry patch.

  7. Just goes to show by ztwilight · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You can't outlaw something that people don't think is illegal. Just how outlawing liquor in the 30's made it more popular than ever.

    --
    Who moved my sig?
  8. Each time you download music illegally.... by ByteGuerrilla · · Score: 5, Funny

    .... RIAA lawyers kill a kitten.

    --

    A block of code, sufficiently well-written, is indistinguishable from magick.