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Pirate Banned From Using Linux

Posted by samzenpus on from the take-that dept.

dsinc writes "A guy who uploaded the latest Star Wars movie got arrested, pleaded guilty to 'conspiracy to commit copyright infringement' and 'criminal copyright infringement' and got jail and home confinement. As part of his home confinement, he agreed to install some tracking software on his computer. The problem is He's an Ubuntu Linux user and the gov't doesn't have any tracking software for Linux. So he's been told that he must use Windows for the term of his confinement. Looks like a case of cruel and unusual punishment to me"

5 of 698 comments (clear)

  1. Re:So? Can't he use a Windows box to route? by Absorbed · · Score: 5, Insightful

    He could always use VMWare.

  2. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Take it in context...

    They probably offered him a deal to spend home time versus all jail time if he agreed to certain terms. They are not FORCING him to use windows, they are saying that if he wants the easy path of punishment, he has to abide by certain rules.

    Also the requirement would only be for if he uses a computer at all. He's perfectly welcome to simply not use one at all.

    All in all, he got off easy and just has to fullow the very simple rules in order to get the easy version of punishment.

  3. Re:Why... by shogarth · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why? Because he's a convict still serving his sentence (that's why he's under home confinement). If he doesn't like the terms of home confinement, he can always go back in the slammer and have even more restricted access.

  4. Re:It's not the having to use windows by dougmc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Now, a $100 fine atop 5 months in jail doesn't seem excessive to me, but the felony rap making him unemployable does. Having the `indirect' penalties assigned to you for a crime being much worse than the `official penalties' is hardly a new thing.


    By `indirect' I mean things like not being able to get a good job, being shunned/tormented/killed by people merely because you're a registered sex offender, etc.

    By `direct' I mean going to jail, paying fines, probation, even having to register as a sex offender.

  5. Re:Why... by db32 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yeah, damn dirty rapist murdering prick...oh wait...he uploaded the new Star Wars. Well, I guess this is the joy of treating copyright infringement as a criminal offense. Unless of course the infringement wasn't the offense, and that subjecting that many people to the latest Star Wars is considered a crime against humanity.

    --
    The only change I can believe in is what I find in my couch cushions.