Slashdot Mirror


Microsoft, Google, Apple Could Be Requested To Actively Block Pirated Downloads, Says Report (torrentfreak.com)

Popular operating systems by Microsoft, Apple, and Google could possibly soon nuke torrents downloaded (PDF, non-English language) from The Pirate Bay and other websites that offer copyright infringing content, warns a report published by Black Market Watch and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime. The report adds that the aforementioned companies are in an ideal position to deter piracy, and could be requested by the authority to put a system in place to block pirated content on the operating system level. Via a TorrentFreak report: "Other players that possess the potential ability to limit piracy are the companies that own the major operating systems which control computers and mobile devices such as Apple, Google and Microsoft," one of the main conclusions reads. "The producers of operating systems should be encouraged, or regulated, for example, to block downloads of copyright infringing material," the report adds. The report references last year's Windows 10 controversy, noting that these concerns were great enough for some torrent sites to block users with the new operating system. While Sweden doesn't have enough influence to make an impact on these global software manufacturers, applying pressure through the international community and trade groups may have some effect.

2 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. while doing nothing to address content issues. by nimbius · · Score: 4, Interesting

    1. people hate blue-ray and DVD because its nearly 20 minutes of unstoppable auto-play adverts for new titles or tie-in marketing.

    2. people hate being gouged for old titles they cant access anymore in the name of exploiting established nostalgia. I can pay $70 for a used copy of command and conquer, or i can just fucking download it.

    3. people loathe the theatre experience of 20 minute captive audience adverts, exorbitant ticket prices, and concession gouging.

    unless and until these issues are resolved, we will continue to sink time and formidable effort into the process of generating and distributing torrents. theres no legislation you can pass that will keep me from getting a copy of the avengers that doesnt waste my time while the version that tries to sell me a new car stays on the shelf.

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
  2. Two words: false positives by QuietLagoon · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...put a system in place to block pirated content on the operating system level. ...

    Given the quality assurance failures of major OS providers recently, this new plan will only be a disaster. But those proposing it don't care about false positives, and they have lawyers to protect themselves from the effects of false positives.

    .
    [aside: this coming weekend I plan to convert the second of my three notebooks from Windows to Linux, due to the Windows 10 update malware tactic. If the plan to delete files on my systems goes through, the conversion of the remainder of my Windows PCs will only be accelerated.]