He clearly was profiting from crime. Anyone with morals would be disgusted and anyone using the service thinking they're trying to keep it open should be disgusted too and he should be in jail.
I don't know about in your backward sounding country; but in the UK if a jury decides that a person is 'not guilty' then it has been decided they have not committed a crime. This may be an unusual system to you, but it is what is called the Justice System in the UK - other countries may not like it but it kind of suits us.
As he has now been cleared of a crime - anyone in the UK (and possibly elsewhere) implying he is a criminal is open to be sued - he will also be able to keep any profits made.
As the first case against bittorent use in the UK, this stands as a common sense outcome decided by the jury.
Your're right about Sarkozy's insane 3 strikes rule - In the UK the Government have been threatening to do the same.
However, these same UK politicians also use YouTube pages to spread their propaganda and can often be heard to tell us mere mortals that information can be found on YouTube if we are willing to search.
Now if I follow one of our politicians directions and seek out an item and I hit a page which contains copyright content (even if by mistake whilst searching) does that mean the politician will be liable for incitement to breach copyright law?
How about writing a client that emulates the DRM protocol, then all pirated stuff will look like DRM stuff and the pirates can operate undetected under the cloak of DRM.
Of the few problems I've had with equipment failures (Microwave Oven, Camera, Camcorder, Dell LCD Monitor!) - or should I say the problem getting customer satisfaction I have also used the threat of using the small claims court to great effect:
- Email the seller politely, explaining the problem but don't demand anything - just ask for advice.
- Expect the usual - It's your problem reply.
- Send a follow up email quoting the Sale Of Goods Act, and requesting that if a satisfactory reply is not received in 48 hours, and the problem solved within 7 days then an application will be made in the small claims court.
- Expect an immediate apology (usually with some excuse that the CS rep misunderstood the problem).
Has has worked for me every time - It appears most CS departments assume that all consumers are stupid.
An interesting article from the BBC this week explains Consumer laws in a concise way:
In the US and most of the UK we call it a "billion"
I note the way you say that in 'most' of the UK. This was highlighted on TV a few nights ago when even the government couldn't immediately confirm whether a billion was a 'million million' or a 'thousand million' - After some consultation the government spokesman said it was a 'thousand million' for financial compatibility with the world markets.
I guess this has come about because those of us over 40 (at least those I know) in the UK were taught at school that a billion was a 'million million', which often leads to confusion when a billion is mentioned - especially when I'm trying to check my bank account:~)
I would hope that schools are now teaching the 'thousand million' version to rid us of this confusion.
"Pretty Baby" is available from Amazon in the UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pretty-Baby-DVD-Keith-Carradine/dp/B000KQGX46 and also by the look of it as an import from the US.
Another film that is available from Amazon in the UK and therfore must be legal to watch is "The Blue Lagoon" from 1980 which also contains footage of nude children.
So I guess it is was and still is legal to look at nude children in the UK and the US from 1978-1980 (when the films were released) or maybe it's only legal if the films have Brooke Sheilds in them - then again, maybe Peadophiles didn't exist back then - huh!
Being a bit of a cynic, to me this looks like a bit of a political statement aimed at Russia.
After the recent cooling of relations following the issues between Russia and Georgia, it was very quickly stated that the Shuttle may be used beyond its previously stated shelflife.
Now putting out 2 Shuttles on the launchpads seems to be indicating that NASA is capable of operating without the aid of the Russians.
A foolish ploy if this happens to be the case, as currently NASA just can't compete with either the Russian or European space agencies capabilities.
You realize that you're giving all your data and control over to a machine that you don't control.
Isn't that what you already do with your own ISP? How do you know that some bored guy there isn't already eavesdropping on your data? Or even someone at your ISP's upstream provider?
They'd have to have a very small dick or be on name terms with some widowed millionaire princess in Nigeria if they're interested in reading most of the mail that I get.
According to them that's no excuse. You're responsible for your own equipment.
When you receive broadband equipment under a contract, you are told in the small print that the equipment remains the property of the ISP - they can't have it both ways.
given that the computer will be seized by the police as evidence in some sort of criminal case, somebody owes him a computer, as well as their thanks and a pat on the back.
This is the UK we're talking about. The police will be ripping his house apart and be examining him with rubber gloves in case he made copies. I think the best policy is to keep quiet if you don't want your life prospects to be destroyed.
IIRC ISPs in the UK claimed common carrier status under EU law, to prevent them from blocking p2p sites. Because of this they were coerced into sending out warning letters to p2p customers on behalf of the BPI instead.
The last time I checked Italy was still part of the EU, so I guess their ISPs should also have common carrier status.
I'm sure computer manufacturers, especially the bigger ones like Dell, would sell their computers pre-patched
I got a new DELL desktop 2 weeks ago. Inside the box was a DELL Vista SP1 image install disk. It wasn't until 2 days later I checked and realised the PC didn't have SP1 installed. I guess they were shipping older pre-imaged disks on their new PCs! Maybe they were relying on auto-update to sort out their omission because the invoice definitely said Vista SP1 installed.
I'm surprised anybody at/. buys whole systems for themselves
I've brought 2 DELL PCs in the past year - and both worked out about 70GBP ($140) cheaper than getting the cheapest individual parts.
Well I guess someone must be buying it or Best Buy woudn't be selling it.
Being from the UK where I've only heard or Best Buy on/. I presume they are a company whose main interest is making a profit.
I don't know, but blaming GPS for truckers hitting low bridges is a bit of a stretch without any supporting evidence.
This just reminded me that pre-GPS a short piece of highway just over the border from me in Wales, there's an overhead railway bridge with 12ft 6in height restrictions (I believe 14ft is standard) - what's more it's in a dip.
The local council decided to resurface the road and 2 days after re-opening the section with the bridge a 40ft trailer got well and truly jammed, blocking the road for days - and given the dip it took some removing.
The reason (duh!) - some dipstick at the local council's transport planning department overlooked that if you resurface a road and add 4inches to the surface height, it is a good idea to reduce the surface height restrictions by 4inches as well.
It'll happen sometime after they make it compulsory to have a license to have children - which lets face it - are several times more complex than either a car or a computer. Not in my town they're not.
*everything* should be encrypted by default, and no unencrypted connections should be offered.
If you were to start using unlimited encrypted connections here within the UK, I guess the thought-police will immediately assume you to be a terrorist and bang you up for 42 days.
So by the MPAAs reckoning, I should be able to have my boss charged with rape, since he has all the equipment Sounds like you seem to now your boss just a little too well:p
I've got hi-speed cable broadband and will almost definitely be getting one of their 'we like you, but piss off' letters.
As I will no longer have any need for the hi-speed I use, I am at this very moment looking at a standard ASDL package as a replacement.
I guess I can cut my monthly bill back from 60GBP($120)/month to around 20GBP/month.
Virgin-media might not give a shit if I leave - but they've definitely given me the impetuous to save 40GBP/month.
I was thinking of getting 2, and then when I connect them together I could get 960Mbit/s. It doesn't work with cheap cables, but I'm so gullible that I'm sure his expensive cables will work just fine.
Slashdot Mirror
He clearly was profiting from crime. Anyone with morals would be disgusted and anyone using the service thinking they're trying to keep it open should be disgusted too and he should be in jail.
I don't know about in your backward sounding country; but in the UK if a jury decides that a person is 'not guilty' then it has been decided they have not committed a crime. This may be an unusual system to you, but it is what is called the Justice System in the UK - other countries may not like it but it kind of suits us.
As he has now been cleared of a crime - anyone in the UK (and possibly elsewhere) implying he is a criminal is open to be sued - he will also be able to keep any profits made.
As the first case against bittorent use in the UK, this stands as a common sense outcome decided by the jury.
ie. the internet is illegal!
However, these same UK politicians also use YouTube pages to spread their propaganda and can often be heard to tell us mere mortals that information can be found on YouTube if we are willing to search.
Now if I follow one of our politicians directions and seek out an item and I hit a page which contains copyright content (even if by mistake whilst searching) does that mean the politician will be liable for incitement to breach copyright law?
How about writing a client that emulates the DRM protocol, then all pirated stuff will look like DRM stuff and the pirates can operate undetected under the cloak of DRM.
Of the few problems I've had with equipment failures (Microwave Oven, Camera, Camcorder, Dell LCD Monitor!) - or should I say the problem getting customer satisfaction I have also used the threat of using the small claims court to great effect:
- Email the seller politely, explaining the problem but don't demand anything - just ask for advice.
- Expect the usual - It's your problem reply.
- Send a follow up email quoting the Sale Of Goods Act, and requesting that if a satisfactory reply is not received in 48 hours, and the problem solved within 7 days then an application will be made in the small claims court.
- Expect an immediate apology (usually with some excuse that the CS rep misunderstood the problem).
Has has worked for me every time - It appears most CS departments assume that all consumers are stupid.
An interesting article from the BBC this week explains Consumer laws in a concise way:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8253915.stm
In the US and most of the UK we call it a "billion"
I note the way you say that in 'most' of the UK. This was highlighted on TV a few nights ago when even the government couldn't immediately confirm whether a billion was a 'million million' or a 'thousand million' - After some consultation the government spokesman said it was a 'thousand million' for financial compatibility with the world markets.
I guess this has come about because those of us over 40 (at least those I know) in the UK were taught at school that a billion was a 'million million', which often leads to confusion when a billion is mentioned - especially when I'm trying to check my bank account :~)
I would hope that schools are now teaching the 'thousand million' version to rid us of this confusion.
Okay what's so special about 1979?
Sorry but I don't see 1979 as any "magic" date.
Special? I got my rocks off for the first time in 79 - she was pure magic
/. here and I'm thinking of girls.
Opps, I'm on
"Pretty Baby" is available from Amazon in the UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pretty-Baby-DVD-Keith-Carradine/dp/B000KQGX46 and also by the look of it as an import from the US. Another film that is available from Amazon in the UK and therfore must be legal to watch is "The Blue Lagoon" from 1980 which also contains footage of nude children. So I guess it is was and still is legal to look at nude children in the UK and the US from 1978-1980 (when the films were released) or maybe it's only legal if the films have Brooke Sheilds in them - then again, maybe Peadophiles didn't exist back then - huh!
Being a bit of a cynic, to me this looks like a bit of a political statement aimed at Russia. After the recent cooling of relations following the issues between Russia and Georgia, it was very quickly stated that the Shuttle may be used beyond its previously stated shelflife. Now putting out 2 Shuttles on the launchpads seems to be indicating that NASA is capable of operating without the aid of the Russians. A foolish ploy if this happens to be the case, as currently NASA just can't compete with either the Russian or European space agencies capabilities.
You realize that you're giving all your data and control over to a machine that you don't control.
Isn't that what you already do with your own ISP? How do you know that some bored guy there isn't already eavesdropping on your data? Or even someone at your ISP's upstream provider?
They'd have to have a very small dick or be on name terms with some widowed millionaire princess in Nigeria if they're interested in reading most of the mail that I get.
According to them that's no excuse. You're responsible for your own equipment.
When you receive broadband equipment under a contract, you are told in the small print that the equipment remains the property of the ISP - they can't have it both ways.
Does anyone else think that April 7 should be some kind of world-wide special day, "Internet day"?
Absolutely, we should mark the occasion by browsing the Web all day, instead of doing any real work.
I thought that's what slashdotters did 365 days a year?
given that the computer will be seized by the police as evidence in some sort of criminal case, somebody owes him a computer, as well as their thanks and a pat on the back.
This is the UK we're talking about. The police will be ripping his house apart and be examining him with rubber gloves in case he made copies. I think the best policy is to keep quiet if you don't want your life prospects to be destroyed.
IIRC ISPs in the UK claimed common carrier status under EU law, to prevent them from blocking p2p sites. Because of this they were coerced into sending out warning letters to p2p customers on behalf of the BPI instead. The last time I checked Italy was still part of the EU, so I guess their ISPs should also have common carrier status.
(Think the Cliff Richards of this world)
Please, Why did you have to mention Cliff Richard - you have ruined my day, and now I think I shall have to go and kill myself.
'In typically politically-incorrect style, Johnson said he would be going to somewhere "as sunny and foreign as possible" this summer'
Let's hope he doesn't come back.
I'm sure computer manufacturers, especially the bigger ones like Dell, would sell their computers pre-patched
I got a new DELL desktop 2 weeks ago. Inside the box was a DELL Vista SP1 image install disk. It wasn't until 2 days later I checked and realised the PC didn't have SP1 installed. I guess they were shipping older pre-imaged disks on their new PCs! Maybe they were relying on auto-update to sort out their omission because the invoice definitely said Vista SP1 installed.
I'm surprised anybody at /. buys whole systems for themselves
I've brought 2 DELL PCs in the past year - and both worked out about 70GBP ($140) cheaper than getting the cheapest individual parts.
Who buys stuff they don't need?
Well I guess someone must be buying it or Best Buy woudn't be selling it. /. I presume they are a company whose main interest is making a profit.
Being from the UK where I've only heard or Best Buy on
I don't know, but blaming GPS for truckers hitting low bridges is a bit of a stretch without any supporting evidence.
This just reminded me that pre-GPS a short piece of highway just over the border from me in Wales, there's an overhead railway bridge with 12ft 6in height restrictions (I believe 14ft is standard) - what's more it's in a dip. The local council decided to resurface the road and 2 days after re-opening the section with the bridge a 40ft trailer got well and truly jammed, blocking the road for days - and given the dip it took some removing. The reason (duh!) - some dipstick at the local council's transport planning department overlooked that if you resurface a road and add 4inches to the surface height, it is a good idea to reduce the surface height restrictions by 4inches as well.
Yes, I thought about that - but how do you spin it out for 42 days, and then get a new contract on release.
:)
And of course first you've got to get arreste... Oh bugger! they're breaking down my door - I know I should have posted anonymously.
BTW The PHP I write isn't even as good as shoddy
If you were to start using unlimited encrypted connections here within the UK, I guess the thought-police will immediately assume you to be a terrorist and bang you up for 42 days.
Sounds like you seem to now your boss just a little too well
I've got hi-speed cable broadband and will almost definitely be getting one of their 'we like you, but piss off' letters. As I will no longer have any need for the hi-speed I use, I am at this very moment looking at a standard ASDL package as a replacement.
I guess I can cut my monthly bill back from 60GBP($120)/month to around 20GBP/month.
Virgin-media might not give a shit if I leave - but they've definitely given me the impetuous to save 40GBP/month.
I was thinking of getting 2, and then when I connect them together I could get 960Mbit/s. It doesn't work with cheap cables, but I'm so gullible that I'm sure his expensive cables will work just fine.