Author Topic: Copyright infringement
Cryme 
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Subject: Copyright infringement
shock

So, a lot of times when I miss an episode of a show, I'll download it via bit torrent, and usually burn it onto a dvd to watch it on my tv in the living room or bedroom. A lot of shows stream recent episodes for free, and I don't want to watch it on my PC, but since they're streaming it for free I didn't think much of downloading an episode here or there. I don't download lots of things, maybe 1-2 hours worth of television a month.

Well yesterday my ISP forwarded me an email sent to them by an agent acting on behalf of an unmentioned television program explaining that someone at my IP address was downloading and/or distributing copyrighted material and that the ISP should take corrective action immediately. So my ISP forwarded it on to me, and tacked on a message saying that I need to cease these actions immediately, and respond to them letting them know I received the message or my internet access will be removed.

shock

Kinda freaked me out a bit. I mean, I know technically it's illegal, but it's not like I'm downloading TBs of material everyday, running torrents 24/7 or intending to distribute massive amounts of material. I try to watch the shows live when I can, sometimes I miss one, and I want to be caught up before the next week. I guess I'll just revert to watching them streaming via the internet now, as I don't really want my ISP to boot me, or something even worse like being susceptible to prosecution...

Hell, I didn't even really think it was monitored that closely. Anyone else ever have something similar happen?

 

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Mangler_SC 
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Subject: Copyright infringement

Admit it, it was pron.

 

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Cryme 
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Subject: Copyright infringement
It was the office s05e04.

EDIT: If it had been pron, I would have a whole other set of issues, because it was my wife who first saw the email from the ISP.

 

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ericb45696 
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first off, I do it too, so let me call myself a hypocrite or whatever first, but here is what just fascinates the heck out me with the whole deal...

"Kinda freaked me out a bit. I mean, I know technically it's illegal, but it's not like I'm downloading TBs of material everyday, running torrents 24/7 or intending to distribute massive amounts of material."

It's like we all "justify" breaking the law for whatever reasons. I often hear people tell me they wouldn't pay to see a movie anyways so nothing wrong with DL it for free.

IT's freaking ILLEGAL!!! now I understand there are varying degrees of Illegality and thus different lvls of punishment, but it just amazes me how so many people seem to think stealing movies/music/software is OK because other people do it, or the various other reasons.

so why cant I shoot someone? or rob a bank? I have my reasons too!!! I know.. I know.. I'm just sayin cool

I think we are all brainwashed and spoonfed, and no one wants to think that at all. we are all very unique and special people....right? haha. whatever.

 

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Cryme 
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I know what you're saying Eric, and you're right, and I shouldn't be surprised that I got called out for doing something that I knew was illegal.

However, I consider this example slightly different than those you cited. I would consider downloading a movie that I would otherwise have to pay to see, stealing. I don't do that. I used to in college, but my conscious prevents me from doing it now, same with music (i.e. the Napster days). I do consider that stealing, and I don't do it. In this particular case, however, I was downloading a show that is being streamed on their website to the public, for free. Granted, by downloading the show, I'm skipping the advertisements that are posted on NBC's website, thus costing them money that way, but the fact that they're streaming the show right now on their website, gave me reason to assume they weren't about to enforce copyright laws on this material.

For the most part, I was just surprised they were actually monitoring it at all.

EDIT: Just to clarify, I'm not arguing that what I did wasn't illegal or that I didn't know it was illegal, just that I'm surprised they're monitoring this activity, given the circumstances.

 

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ericb45696 
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I getcha. no worries. I didn't specifically mean you, just close to what you brought up.

So your surprised at the ISP for monitoring usage?

Not to be a smarta(* ( probably too late anyways..) but do you ever read slashdot.org or arstechnica.com ? if not then you might want to check them out from time to time. News about these sorts of things is pretty prevalent.


Back on topic..sorta. what your saying kind of reminds me of how people use to record songs of the radio ( just like streaming media..no?) and no one really , well, not so much in the US from what I recall ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Taping_Is_Killing_Music ) cared or could do much about it.

I wonder if there was a way to monitor radio usage like internet usage maybe we would be in a different place legality-wise today.


And heck, even if they weren't streaming it, you could Tivo or Videotape (yeah.. I'm old ) it anyways

If only a handful would "record" the streaming media, and then physically hand it out to friends then it would seem much more like a black market, and wouldn't be as widespread as we are a pretty lazy nation. it remains too easy to do it from home on our own as it is now.

Or like when I hear people talk about an empty seat on a plane should be free since the plane is going there anyways.
it just doesn't add up.


Again, not eaning to rant here, and not directed towards anyone but the whole world really,haha.
I'm long past the point of making any sense or even having a point. My writing instructor would probably grade this a D- if not an F.


So yeah, they are watching us. be careful man angel

 

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Evilynne 
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Subject: Copyright infringement
Cryme posted:
It was the office s05e04.

EDIT: If it had been pron, I would have a whole other set of issues, because it was my wife who first saw the email from the ISP.
I think the bigger problem here is that your wife would be upset over it being porn shock

 

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Timith_McMartis 
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Who is your ISP?

 

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ericb45696 
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Evilynne posted:
Cryme posted:
It was the office s05e04.

EDIT: If it had been pron, I would have a whole other set of issues, because it was my wife who first saw the email from the ISP.
I think the bigger problem here is that your wife would be upset over it being porn shock


The Office is Porn?

/heads off to Piratebay...

 

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Timith_McMartis 
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Heck I dont even check the email from my ISP.....

 

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qwikk 
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Timith_McMartis posted:
Who is your ISP?

 

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IRMacGuyver 
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Subject: Copyright infringement
Step 1 Get new ISP
Step 2 ????
Step 3 Profit

 

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Cryme 
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Well the original email came from some agent company working for NBC and was sent to my ISP, telling them to do something about the copyright infringement that was going on from one of the IP addresses they're providing. My ISP simply forwarded it on to me, telling me to stop it or they'd cancel my service.

So it wasn't my ISP monitoring my activity, it was some company "acting on behalf of NBC" tracking the torrent I used, and tracing my IP address back to my ISP. I was using a piratebay torrent, and not any sort of IP blocker as I didn't feel it was necessary.

My ISP is my local phone company. I live in a rural area, and I only have 2 options... local phone company or local cable company. I was using the local cable company since I had my own cable modem already, but the latency sucked. I could get really good peak DL rates, but when I played online games the latency/pings I'd get were really, really high during peak hours and made it virtually unplayable. So about 6 months ago I switched to DSL from the local phone company. My peak DL speeds are significantly lower, but the latency experienced while gaming has improved drastically.

We don't have digital cable, so no DVR for me, we do, however, have a VCR still and we usually do tape our shows, we just happened to miss that episode of the Office last week. I'll just have to do a better job of remembering that now, because I won't be DL'ing full episodes anymore for a while. I'll have to watch them streaming if I forget the tape again...

"I think the bigger problem here is that your wife would be upset over it being porn"

She doesn't enjoy watching porn, so had it been, she would have known it was for my own personal entertainment. She takes pride in her ability (rightfully so wink ) to keep me satisfied and would consider me needing to download porn off the internet an insult.

 

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Evilynne 
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well that's just silly IMO of course

 

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DunesVladHarkonnen 
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Subject: Copyright infringement
I work as the Network Manager for an ISP...I torrent like mad...

of course I do believe the laws a bit 'leaner' up here in the North...


I also heard that Congress was, did, or wanted to pass legistlation that made ISPs responsible for what their clients do. So if you torrented, and the ISP knows about it, they are legally responsible. I know that was big news around the office because we're an ISP and what dweedle dee does dweedle dum seems to feel is a good idea too.

Of course that pulls up questions of privacy because ISPs would have to scan packets/information to determine what is peer to peer sharing that is illegal and what isn't (say a torrent or download off a game server like WoW or WAR).

Or ISPs can just make everyone sign a form saying "I won't torrent, that's against our company's policy/service"...and then the ISP has their 'hands clean' no matter what.


Either way...haha! I can't believe you got busted. I would double check the law to make sure you are in the wrong. If you are, well, stop or face the consequences (I'd look those up too). I know in Canada you can NOT distribute/upload files. But downloading is legal. They target the source, not people using their brain and finding resources/files that are available.

 

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Mangler_SC 
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Satisfied's got nothing to do with it.

Variety is the spice of life.

 

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Vihs 
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Mangler_SC posted:

Satisfied's got nothing to do with it.

Variety is the spice of life.




Yeah, I think a lot of women take it too personally

 

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Caoilin 
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using a public torrent site is like banging hookers with no condom. you'll catch something nasty eventually. plain

 

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Nevver 
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One word: Advertising

The reason why the agent called you is most likely because the broadcaster (network) of the show doesn't want you to download the show is because either the commercials are cut out or you can skip past them. When you watch the program through their web site, you can't skip past the commercials which they rely on for revenue.

Streaming a show through a web site provides very concrete numbers for viewership which can then be used to set prices for advertising. If the numbers are lower, they can't charge as much to advertisers. So, in the broadcaster's mind, you're taking money out of their pockets.

 

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Welve 
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Caoilin posted:
using a public torrent site is like banging hookers with no condom. you'll catch something nasty eventually. plain


this

 

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shoobzie 
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Caoilin posted:
using a public torrent site is like banging hookers with no condom. you'll catch something nasty eventually. plain


this!

I was using a piratebay torrent

not this!

private sites ftw wink

 

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ericb45696 
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yeah, it's kinda like.." OK , I've had sex with a few Hookers, and nothing happened, so I'll keep doing it.. what could go wrong? "


shame_on_you


whistling

 

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Caoilin 
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shoobz got the herp from one i hear.

 

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MeccusEshrad 
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ericb45696 posted:
yeah, it's kinda like.." OK , I've had sex with a few Hookers, and nothing happened, so I'll keep doing it.. what could go wrong? "


shame_on_you


whistling


This: You get an anonymous gift:

 

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