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TV Links Raided, Operator Arrested

Posted by Zonk on from the there-goes-the-neighborhood dept.

NetDanzr writes "TV Links, a Web site that provided links to hundreds of movies, documentaries, TV shows and cartoons hosted on streaming media sites such as Google Video and YouTube, has been raided by UK authorities. The site's operator was also arrested, The Guardian reports. Even though the site has not hosted any pirated content, it was a thorn in the side of movie and TV studios, thanks to having links to newest movies and TV shows. As the largest site of its kind, it showcased the power of user-driven Internet, with the site's visitors helping to keep links to content constantly updated."

6 of 246 comments (clear)

  1. The obvious question.... by King_TJ · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How is anything this site did remotely "illegal"?

    This sounds to me like it simply amounts to harassment by legal authorities, after having pressure put on them to "do something" by the movie and/or TV studios.

    I know here in the United States, "search and seizure" is a popular law-enforcement tool for the purpose of slowing/stopping activities they can't really find sufficient evidence to prosecute. (All you need is a judge's signature saying it's ok to proceed with a search and seizure, and they can waltz in with the warrant in hand, seizing the "offending" property. Then just lock it away in an evidence locker for a few years, sitting on it and depriving the owner of it. Eventually, sure, they'll probably just return it, claiming "insufficient evidence" to make a case against them - but they accomplished what they were really after.)

    1. Re:The obvious question.... by Yer+Mum · · Score: 5, Insightful

      In Spain, a judge has found that a similar site which holds links to films or music is not illegal, saying that they did not host any material and .

      http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/293205/0/enlaces/descargas/sharemule/

      (in Spanish, Babelfish may help if you don't speak it)
  2. Power Play by whackco · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yeah, although it existed, I dont' know what the law states in the EU as to linking to protected content. This might just be a power play by the studios to make an example of them. I have a feeling this is going to be similar to the raid that was done on the pirate bay servers, and in a few months they will drop the charges, after almost or completely bankrupting this poor sap.

  3. Power Play by whackco · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That is exactly what this is. A power play by big studios to make an example out of this guy. After nearly or completely bankrupting him, they will drop all the charges, and he will be off on his way. Anyone know what sort of SLAPP provisions the UK has?

  4. By their logic... by Korveck · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Google needs to be shut down for "facilitation of copyright infringement on the internet", or even "facilitation of terrorism on the internet".

  5. Dont you get it yet? by PhreakOfTime · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is not about 'protecting' copyright.

    This is about CONTROL.

    What better way to avoid spending all the courts time issuing takedown notices than to SCARE those using this site, and OTHER sites to stop doing what they are doing?

    Be very wary of those who go after the organizers of people, for their motives might not be something you can even imagine