Alleged Operator of Demonoid Released From Jail

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Alleged Operator of Demonoid Released From Jail

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday February 12, 2013 @07:23AM from the unfruitful-expenditures-of-effort dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Last August, BitTorrent tracker Demonoid was taken down by law enforcement in the Ukraine. This followed raids in Mexico to arrest the people who ran the site. Panama is somehow involved, too. However, a recent review filed by the U.S. Trade Representative reveals that the criminal case against the main (alleged) operator of Demonoid has stalled, and the person has been released from imprisonment. 'For how long the alleged Demonoid operator was imprisoned is not mentioned. However, the criminal case is ongoing according to the copyright holders, who further mention that it's now proceeding in Ukraine. Demonoid, meanwhile, has moved to Hong Kong where it found a new hosting company and a new .HK domain name. Whether the BitTorrent tracker will ever return to its full glory has yet to be seen.'"

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It's just "Ukraine" by Bobb+Sledd · 2013-02-12 07:26 · Score: 2, Insightful

It's just "Ukraine" not "the Ukraine." (Perhaps you're thinking of "the U.K.")

--
"They said I probly shouldn't fly with just one eye," "I am Bender. Please insert girder."
1. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by Jhon · 2013-02-12 07:32 · Score: 1
  
  Articles are not used in (current or former) Soviet Russia.
  - Jhon, from The Los Angeles, The California, The U.S. (Hey, that one works!)
2. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:38 · Score: 1
  
  Not this again. There's a reason some call it The Ukraine, old habits just die hard. Fortunately the internet champions of accuracy are here to save us.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_of_Ukraine#.22Ukraine.22_versus_.22The_Ukraine.22
3. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by Zontar_Thing_From_Ve · 2013-02-12 07:41 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  It's just "Ukraine" not "the Ukraine." (Perhaps you're thinking of "the U.K.")
  The rule is that when it was part of the Soviet Union and a specific region, it was OK to call it "The Ukraine" but since independence the country has been quite clear in its official documents, embassy names, etc. that in the English language it is now simply known as Ukraine. Rules for other languages such as French may be different.
  
  I got into an argument once via email with a Ukrainian woman in Kiev who insisted that because some English grammar book written in the 1980s (she actually quoted me the page and relevant section) said that it was "The Ukraine" that apparently this meant that until the end of time the country is to be called The Ukraine in the English speaking world. I thought it was a really odd argument to make as most Ukrainians will insist on not using the "The" when referring to their country if they can speak English, but it just goes to show you how old habits die hard.
4. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by vux984 · 2013-02-12 08:01 · Score: 1, Redundant
  
  - Jhon, from The Los Angeles, The California, The U.S.
  Jhon, from the city of angels, the state of california, the united states of america
5. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 08:56 · Score: 1
  
  > The rule is that when it was part of the Soviet Union and a specific region, it was OK to call it "The Ukraine"
  I wonder when The Bronx was part of the Soviet Union...
6. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by LMariachi · 2013-02-12 10:29 · Score: 1
  
  As with Burma, it's not up to them what our name for their country is. Germany doesn't demand that we call it "Deutschland," and it would be broadly mocked if it tried.
7. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by mrbester · 2013-02-12 12:15 · Score: 1
  
  This is like BBC radio DJs in the 70s / 80s always referring to bands like Sweet, Pink Floyd and Buggles by putting "The" in front, even when there were other bands they didn't, like Art of Noise and Brotherhood of Man which almost cry out for the definite article.
  I swear I heard "The Depeche Mode" once. Made me cringe.
  
  --
  "Wait. Something's happening. It's opening up! My God, it's full of apricots!"
8. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by Trogre · 2013-02-12 12:30 · Score: 1
  
  Can we now refer to old Holland as simply Netherlands?
  
  --
  "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
9. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by CRCulver · 2013-02-12 12:54 · Score: 1
  
  While is indeed up to you what to call a place, that doesn't mean that pressure to use the name they desire won't suceed. For example, after Cote d'Ivoire announced that it wants this name used in all English-language contexts (superseding "Ivory Coast"), the new name caught on pretty quickly in the press and among educated speakers with a minimum of "mockery". Also, one can note how "Torino" has ousted "Turin" except for a few set phrases (e.g. "Shroud of Turin").
10. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by Tokolosh · 2013-02-12 14:06 · Score: 1
  
  So who are the Dutch?
  
  --
  Prove anything by multiplying Huge Number times Tiny Number
11. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by tehcyder · 2013-02-12 22:14 · Score: 1
  
  Articles are not used in (current or former) Soviet Russia.
  While true, that is irrelevant. We're talking about English usage. A Russian would say (in Russian) "I am going to cinema" but in English we say "I am going to the cinema". Whether it's a Russian cinema or not doesn't matter.
  
  --
  To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
12. Re:It's just "Ukraine" by tehcyder · 2013-02-12 22:23 · Score: 1
  
  Also, one can note how "Torino" has ousted "Turin" except for a few set phrases (e.g. "Shroud of Turin").
  No it hasn't, at least in the UK. I watched the Juventus game on TV last night, and everyone said they came from Turin. If they had said Torino, it would have confused everyone. The fact that most commentators here pronounce the team "Jew-ventus" is amusing, but it's up to us to decide, not the Italians.
  
  --
  To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
Comment removed by account_deleted · 2013-02-12 07:37 · Score: 2

Comment removed based on user account deletion
the ukraine is weak by Joe_Dragon · 2013-02-12 07:38 · Score: 2, Funny

the ukraine is weak
1. Re:the ukraine is weak by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:43 · Score: 1
  
  I come from Ukraine. You not say Ukraine weak.
2. Re:the ukraine is weak by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:46 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, well we're playing a game here, pal.
3. Re:the ukraine is weak by MrEricSir · 2013-02-12 07:52 · Score: 1
  
  Ukraine is game to you? How about I take your little board and smash
  it!
  
  --
  There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by SJHillman · 2013-02-12 07:42 · Score: 4, Interesting

I live in United States of America. We were formerly run by what is now United Kingdom, which is part of European Union.
"Ukraine" used to mean "borderland" or "homeland", which is one of the reasons using it with the article is so commonplace. To say using "the" is wrong in every single circumstance is wrong, you insensitive the clod.
No point in using demonoid... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:45 · Score: 3, Informative

The owner relinquished all of the seeder IP addresses, etc.
Why go to a tracker site that will rat you out?
1. Re:No point in using demonoid... by Charliemopps · 2013-02-12 09:36 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  The seeders IP address were public knowledge. The entire point of the tracker is to release the seeders IP addresses. I have no problem with this. If there are users on there that want to hide what they are doing there are much better ways to go about it. If you're involved in this sort of thing, you've got to assume the industry is going to find out the IP address you hosted from. Best make sure that IP address doesn't lead back to you.
Ukrainian Justice by Zontar_Thing_From_Ve · 2013-02-12 07:46 · Score: 5, Interesting

I can speak Russian rather well (not really good at Ukrainian though) and I've spent a decent amount of time in Ukraine and I have a few friends who live there. I can tell you that justice goes to the highest bidder there at the local level. If the US government wants to bribe a judge, they can get whatever verdict they want. Or if they can convince President Yanukovich that he'll get something back in exchange for sending an "evil pirate" to jail, then his office will just tell the judge what to do. However, if the US just expects the local justice system to act like it would in a western country and they don't bribe or tell the Pres what to do, then anyone facing charges can just bribe the judge himself and get off. It will be interesting to see the outcome, but whatever the verdict is, I have no doubts that it will be completely dishonest and someone will have bribed or cajoled their way into it.
1. Re:Ukrainian Justice by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:59 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  So the Ukrainian judiciary system is not that much different from the West's. Both follow the golden rule: he who has the gold makes the rules.
2. Re:Ukrainian Justice by fredprado · 2013-02-12 08:04 · Score: 2
  
  Although I do not doubt that you are correct about Ukranian justice, I must argue that, at least regarding high profile cases, Western justice is not very far from that. The pirate bay farse of a judgement proves how far western justice can bend to political interest, for example.
3. Re:Ukrainian Justice by Hatta · 2013-02-12 10:40 · Score: 1
  
  It will be interesting to see the outcome, but whatever the verdict is, I have no doubts that it will be completely dishonest and someone will have bribed or cajoled their way into it.
  In other words, it's just like the US?
  
  --
  Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
4. Re:Ukrainian Justice by jamstar7 · 2013-02-12 11:50 · Score: 1
  
  Pretty much, except they're more up front about it. What they don't tell you about the US legal system is, you only get the justice you can afford. It's not blatantly obvious yet.
  
  --
  Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by LordSnooty · 2013-02-12 07:50 · Score: 3, Insightful

Definitely the most important feature of the story and worth some discussion. The other side of the story, the whole lock someone up for an indeterminate amount of time with no idea of whether the broke a law or not part is just utterly played out.
There's always copycat demonoid.mk by Cito · 2013-02-12 08:19 · Score: 2

http://demonoid.mk/
works pretty good, although I don't like the interface, it has all the goodies, usually released on demonoid.mk / kat.ph / thepiratebay.se all at same time.
id much rather the original demonoid though
THE? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 08:26 · Score: 5, Insightful

So the big part of this story is whether on not there should be a The in front of Ukraine? Nothing about the legality of what's been happening or whether Demoniod will return?
Re:Welcome by X0563511 · 2013-02-12 08:33 · Score: 2

403 - Forbidden
So useful.

--
For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 08:41 · Score: 5, Funny

In Soviet Ukraine, insensitivity clods YOU.
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by countach · 2013-02-12 08:45 · Score: 1

I find it hard to stop using "the" too, but it seems this is what Ukrainians want. They want the name to become more of a proper name than a description as a borderland. Even in Russian they have made some language adjustments to this end in recent times. So I guess its good to try and respect their wishes.
ive been in jail on both sides of the border by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 09:12 · Score: 1

with my long blonde hair
i much prefer the usa jail
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by Sulphur · 2013-02-12 09:41 · Score: 1

I find it hard to stop using "the" too, but it seems this is what Ukrainians want
Did you mean the Ukrainians?
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by Threni · 2013-02-12 10:55 · Score: 1

The submitter lost me with "Panama is somehow involved, too." It's like Idiocracy has come to life and obtained its own website.
So... by tompaulco · 2013-02-12 11:05 · Score: 2

So they tell you where to find stuff. They don't even host the stuff themselves. What did they book them on? Aiding and abetting? Why isn't the Google CEO in jail?

--
If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.
1. Re:So... by steelfood · 2013-02-13 04:20 · Score: 1
  
  Because first, they come for the torrent tracker owners, though nobody speaks up as they do not own torrent trackers.
  
  --
  "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by jamstar7 · 2013-02-12 11:46 · Score: 1

The submitter lost me with "Panama is somehow involved, too." It's like Idiocracy has come to life and obtained its own website.
Naw, it's just the US copyright cops grasping at straws. Not to worry, they'll just send in the Marines again to clean house.

--
Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
Re:Welcome by jamstar7 · 2013-02-12 11:47 · Score: 2

Sucker must be behind the Great Firewall.

--
Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
Al Ukraine by flyingfsck · 2013-02-12 17:52 · Score: 1

Let's use Arabic and call it Al Ukraine.

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Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
The Panama by ixarux · 2013-02-12 20:22 · Score: 1

Panama is somehow involved, too? Hard to believe that the land of fish, trees and butterflies is now involved in the raids within Mexico.
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by tehcyder · 2013-02-12 22:31 · Score: 1

I find it hard to stop using "the" too, but it seems this is what Ukrainians want. They want the name to become more of a proper name than a description as a borderland. Even in Russian they have made some language adjustments to this end in recent times. So I guess its good to try and respect their wishes.
Fine, so we should call Spain "Espana", Germany "Deutschland" and so on? Paris must be pronounced "Pa-ree", Barcelona "Bar-the-lona" and so on?
If the word "Ukraine" means "borderland to Russia" then they should have chosen a better name for their country. I don't see what difference having "the" makes anyway. If it translated as "silly place full of snow" would it really matter whether we called it Silly Place Full of Snow or The Silly Place Full of Snow?

--
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
Re:There is no "the" in front of Ukraine by GameboyRMH · 2013-02-13 01:17 · Score: 1

I always wondered how some countries got such wildly different names in other languages, Germany/Deutschland and Japan/Nippon being the strangest.
Actually I just found an article on the topic and those two are just the tip of the iceberg:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exonym

--
"When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
Re:Welcome by X0563511 · 2013-02-13 04:10 · Score: 1

I have tried from exit points in several countries.

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For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...