Everything is being downloaded... nothing is being uploaded to a server
Any technical user will be extremelly quick to point out this is false: by using most FileSharing software, you are making your machine into a server.
In client-server architecture, definitions are extremelly simple: if machine requests services from another, it is a client. If it fulfills services of another, it is a server.
Running (say) KaZaA, your machine is client and server at the same time. If you are a wise dastardly leech, you will disable uploading or regularly clear your "Shared" directory. However, if you leave your files in a shared directory and somebody downloads them... well, technically and practically, that is absolutelly exactly the same as putting it up on a server.
Note, obviously, I'm not on RIAA/IFPA/whatever's side here; but understanding the law and consequences is the best defence. Trying to confuse issues will only give you a false sense of safety:(.
I'm sure that any decent documentation for filesharing/p2p software should indicate that your machine will work as a server and a client...
The levy itself doesn't make copying legal; however, the levy and the copyright clause that does, go hand in hand - one couldn't exist without another.
In US and most other countries, there is virtually no levy, and copying (for the purposes of this discussion) is illegal.
In Canada, there is a levy, and personal use copies are legal
... while there are those who will complain against anything without second thought, I personally believe Canadian system has more benefits then disadvantages. The levy imposed is minor compared to the convenience of trying out music before you decide who and how to renumerate (which I still highly encourage).
You can legally _download_ music in Canada - it is covered by the levies we pay on the media (yay!:). You cannot legally _upload_ (i.e. share) music, as that makes you a "distributor" (and thus not covered under any form of personal use).
It's the same reason why it is legal (in Canada) for me to borrow your CD and make a copy of it... but NOT for you to copy your CD and give me the copy. Same end result of course, but in first case, I'm copying for my personal use - in the second case, you are distributing something you don't have a right to distribute.
IANAL, but I've followed Canadian copyright law for a while - the particular statute is reasonably clear once you understand the distinction between personal use (copying for myself) and distributing (copying or making available to others)
I don't mind the levy - in fact, I really want it there. Don't forget, it is because of this tax, er, I mean, levy:), that it is perfectly legal for me to make a copy of my friend's CD or download a song.
(I am still not allowed to be a 'distributor', so my friend cannot make that copy for me [funny are the ways of the law], and I cannot upload songs, but I find that, too, proper - I don't want to encourage mass-piracy, but personal freedoms sound good to me - if not to the US congress:)
Slashdot Mirror
Everything is being downloaded ... nothing is being uploaded to a server
:(.
Any technical user will be extremelly quick to point out this is false: by using most FileSharing software, you are making your machine into a server.
In client-server architecture, definitions are extremelly simple: if machine requests services from another, it is a client. If it fulfills services of another, it is a server.
Running (say) KaZaA, your machine is client and server at the same time. If you are a wise dastardly leech, you will disable uploading or regularly clear your "Shared" directory. However, if you leave your files in a shared directory and somebody downloads them... well, technically and practically, that is absolutelly exactly the same as putting it up on a server.
Note, obviously, I'm not on RIAA/IFPA/whatever's side here; but understanding the law and consequences is the best defence. Trying to confuse issues will only give you a false sense of safety
I'm sure that any decent documentation for filesharing/p2p software should indicate that your machine will work as a server and a client...
The levy itself doesn't make copying legal; however, the levy and the copyright clause that does, go hand in hand - one couldn't exist without another.
... while there are those who will complain against anything without second thought, I personally believe Canadian system has more benefits then disadvantages. The levy imposed is minor compared to the convenience of trying out music before you decide who and how to renumerate (which I still highly encourage).
In US and most other countries, there is virtually no levy, and copying (for the purposes of this discussion) is illegal.
In Canada, there is a levy, and personal use copies are legal
You can legally _download_ music in Canada - it is covered by the levies we pay on the media (yay!:). You cannot legally _upload_ (i.e. share) music, as that makes you a "distributor" (and thus not covered under any form of personal use). It's the same reason why it is legal (in Canada) for me to borrow your CD and make a copy of it... but NOT for you to copy your CD and give me the copy. Same end result of course, but in first case, I'm copying for my personal use - in the second case, you are distributing something you don't have a right to distribute. IANAL, but I've followed Canadian copyright law for a while - the particular statute is reasonably clear once you understand the distinction between personal use (copying for myself) and distributing (copying or making available to others)
I don't mind the levy - in fact, I really want it there. Don't forget, it is because of this tax, er, I mean, levy:), that it is perfectly legal for me to make a copy of my friend's CD or download a song. (I am still not allowed to be a 'distributor', so my friend cannot make that copy for me [funny are the ways of the law], and I cannot upload songs, but I find that, too, proper - I don't want to encourage mass-piracy, but personal freedoms sound good to me - if not to the US congress:)