Why Web Pirates Can't Be Touched

gwoodrow writes "Forbes has a brief article about, essentially, the ultimate futility of fighting online pirates. From the article: 'As the world's largest repository of BitTorrent files, ThePirateBay.org helps millions of users around the world share copyrighted movies, music and other files — without paying for them ... That's illegal, of course — at least it is in the U.S. But when Time Warner's (nyse: TWX — news — people ) Warner Bros. studio accused them of breaking U.S. copyright law in 2005, the pirates gleefully reminded the movie company that they didn't live in America, but rather in the land of vikings, reindeer, Aurora Borealis and cute blond girls.' The article also touches on the many YouTube clones and AllofMP3.com."

Comments

Article is flawed.

[Hobbs0]

It assumes that copyright law around the world will not eventually be in line with U.S. copyright law as per the wishes of the *AA

Re:Article is flawed.

[owlnation]

It assumes that copyright law around the world will not eventually be in line with U.S. copyright law as per the wishes of the *AA

No, the article is correct - it's your understanding of international law and macroeconomics that is flawed.

Firstly, the US's version of copyright is more the exception than the rule.

Secondly, The *IAA is an American organisation but not all its members are in fact American Corporations. Fair use in Germany (where Sony BMG is based) is much more genuinely fair than in the US, BMG has never managed to change that.

Thirdly, if you want to examine legal parallels for international Internet law then you should look at the development of international Maritime Law. After millennia of shipping technology being available, and the finest legal minds in history having examined the problems, there is no international standard Maritime Legal system.

Yes, there is broad agreements and treaties between many countries, but there are just as many disagreements and disputes. There are rogue nations, and there is still real piracy.

The *IAA needs to understand that while the preposterous US copyright laws protect them in that country, they have already lost the War pretty much most other places. And those of you who are American here, need to wake up and realise that your laws are designed to protect you and your interests, not just your country's business interests. You need to take your country back from the Corporations. Your Founding Fathers were wise people with a pretty good understanding of human nature. 14 years is enough copyright for anyone.

The DMCA, is a law that steals from most American citizens, and penalizes no-one outside your borders. The DMCA hinders your economy, because without it your *IAA industries would need to adapt to survive - and they do have the means and technology to successfully adapt and survive in a manner that allows you value and fair choice.

Exsqueeze me? Baking Powder?

[SpiritusGladius1517]

FTA:
From June to October 2006 alone, the Recording Industry Association of America says that 11 million songs were downloaded from the site. AllofMP3 claims those sales adhered strictly to Russian law, but that doesn't satisfy the RIAA; the record labels have launched a lawsuit, asking for $150,000 for each stolen file, totaling $1.65 trillion.

I'm sorry, did they say $1.65 trillion? The RIAA is off their rocker for sure. That much money is going to have to involve a war.

Don't take this the wrong way

[zappepcs]

But could you please justify and explain the statement you made: "You did deprive them - of money."

Please cite your references and explain any statistics quoted in your explanation. Please also quantify how much money the **AA have been deprived of by TPB. Please do this so that we can forevermore trust that the **AA member companies declining revenues and train-wreck-about-to-happen business model is doomed because of TPB and others like them.

If you can prove that this is driving the **AA member companies out of business beyond any doubt, I will start downloading music and movies illegally to help ensure a quick end to the **AAs of the world.

Thank you

Re:typo?

[iminplaya]

Oh. Do you think these laws were passed on their merits? Is there any evidence of that? What is the possible merit of extending copyright to 75 years after the creator is dead? Or DMCA? Do some research and prove him wrong if that's what you believe. There are some things that are fairly obvious in their own right. You're asking him to prove that the sky is blue or water is wet. And the mods get pretty defensive if anyone dares point out how ugly the truth really is when spelled out in an easy to understand fashion. So the bar is still fairly high.