Nothing is physically taken from an inventory...

[coaster]

...but you might still get fined for file-sharing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7568642.stm

I imagine the deterrent effect of 1 case in 1 country is pretty small, but with a few more cases perhaps this might add up?

Anyway, wondered if folk here had any thoughts on this given the strength of feeling on both sides of the pro/anti piracy fence. FYI, the only games I have torrented/dowloaded are older emulated stuff - eg. Silent Hill 1 for PC (I think it was an ePSX version) and some Nintendo 64 games. All "proper" PC games I buy.

 

[Jedi_Learner]

This is good news.

 

[Trash]

It's just one small example of a rather distressing trend. Soon the internet as we know it will be replaced with the same 24/7 monitored pile of censored state propaganda as the Chinese one. Our governments really are moving in on the internet as rabid wolves lately, with not just cases against piracy but also new laws to read email, demand ip to provide names and adresses of users and data being stored indefenitely.

The internet has grown big enough and has become important enough that states will want to controll what's going on with it. That will mean that it will see some far reaching changes in the coming years. If you think the state controlling and meddling in every little part of your life, than yes, this is very good news indeed.

 

[Jedi_Learner]

Well that was a totally random post Trash, which had nothing to do with the story. I was expecting you to start talking about coat hangers. She deserves the fine for putting the game up on a file sharing network. I'd give her several months in jail as well.

 

[Trash]

It does. Untill recently the internet was an utterly anarchistic place, nowadays we see more and more governments, corporations and organisations moving in on it and curtailing everything that happens on it. That story has everything to do with just that.

 

[Jasede]

Nothing good comes from anarchy.

 

[Heresiarch]

24/7 monitored pile of censored state propaganda as the Chinese one

Which kind of internet do you prefer, China's full of freedom to download and share and pirate everything with dignity while discussions about anti-government stuff will bring you trouble, or USA's discussions about piracy are prohibited, file sharing can bring FBIs to your house, while Bush bashing is widely welcomed?

 

[Gragt]

Nothing good comes from anarchy.

The Smurfs disagree.

 

[Trash]

Perhaps I should´ve worded that differently. The internet was akin to a free trade zone with minimal government infraction and a huge amount of individual freedom in expressing ones opinions and in an individual's actions. Something like that.

24/7 monitored pile of censored state propaganda as the Chinese one

Which kind of internet do you prefer, China's full of freedom to download and share and pirate everything with dignity while discussions about anti-government stuff will bring you trouble, or USA's discussions about piracy are prohibited, file sharing can bring FBIs to your house, while Bush bashing is widely welcomed?

Neither. I liked it just as the crazy place it has been and to a large extent still is. It is however more and more moving towards big brother's wet dream. That I don't like.

 

[Edward_R_Murrow]

I'd give her several months in jail as well.

Have fun paying for stupid idealism then when the prisons are overflowing. Because that's what it is, stupid and overly idealistic. Just like the idiotic "War on Drugs", governments, and businesses need to understand there isn't a damn thing they can do about piracy with traditional measures. Businesses need to change their business model or die out, simple as that, and the governments need not waste time and money fighting an un-winnable battle.

I think even the staunchest opponents of piracy would accept that even though it's "wrong", there isn't a damn thing law enforcement can reasonably do.

 

[fastpunk]

I'd give her several months in jail as well.

Have fun paying for stupid idealism then when the prisons are overflowing. Because that's what it is, stupid and overly idealistic. Just like the idiotic "War on Drugs", governments, and businesses need to understand there isn't a damn thing they can do about piracy with traditional measures. Businesses need to change their business model or die out, simple as that, and the governments need not waste time and money fighting an un-winnable battle.

I think even the staunchest opponents of piracy would accept that even though it's "wrong", there isn't a damn thing law enforcement can reasonably do.

++

Hopefully, this post removes the need for another one of those 5 page arguments about piracy...

Hey, what's new in gaming? I heard STALKER Clear Sky just hit gold.

 

[aron searle]

What a fucking tard.

She had the option to pay £300 pounds and that would be it, instead she chose to fight them and got fined £16000.

Doesnt she know that only murderers, muggers and rapists get let off in court?

 

[Jedi_Learner]

Have fun paying for stupid idealism then when the prisons are overflowing.

Start executing repeat offenders then. Problem solved!

 

[Naked Ninja]

Heh, neat. Stupidity is it's own punishment, I guess. :D

 

[Lumpy]

Have fun paying for stupid idealism then when the prisons are overflowing.

They could send her to Israeli prisons. They must have lots of free space after letting child murderers free.
Also, Jedi Learner, suck cocks. She should go to prison for sharing a game? Without getting anything in return? Srsly? I think your moral compass is seriously fucked up.

On the other hand, I think this company acted very honourably. It's disgusting when companies ruin people for piracy - if they want to punish it, it should be gradual, so as to warn people that a formerly accepted crime isn't any more. If anyone doesn't want to listen, go right ahead, but 300 pounds sounds like a reasonable punishment.

 

[wex]

Nothing good comes from anarchy.

The Smurfs disagree.

: What do they have to do with it? They are communists.

 

[Trash]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

 

[barker_s]

Must... resist... arghhh...

No, it's futile.

Nothing good comes from anarchy.

Actually anarchy is the best 'political system' in existence... I mean it would be if people weren't such douchebags. The same applies to communism - great on the paper, shitty execution.

 

[Lumpy]

Communism and anarchy can theoretically work together.

 

[Lumpy]

Must... resist... arghhh...

No, it's futile.

Nothing good comes from anarchy.

Actually anarchy is the best 'political system' in existence... I mean it would be if people weren't such douchebags. The same applies to communism - great on the paper, shitty execution.

Communism was good on paper, shitty execution. Anarchy is unavoidably shitty because there is no execution, it's all up to the people. And no matter what you do, a percentage of people are douchebags.

 

[Pegultagol]

I'd give her several months in jail as well.

Have fun paying for stupid idealism then when the prisons are overflowing. Because that's what it is, stupid and overly idealistic. Just like the idiotic "War on Drugs", governments, and businesses need to understand there isn't a damn thing they can do about piracy with traditional measures. Businesses need to change their business model or die out, simple as that, and the governments need not waste time and money fighting an un-winnable battle.

I think even the staunchest opponents of piracy would accept that even though it's "wrong", there isn't a damn thing law enforcement can reasonably do.

You forgot to add: Good night, and good luck.

 

[Shannow]

In after the thread should have been put in GD.

 

[Damned Registrations]

Must... resist... arghhh...

No, it's futile.

Nothing good comes from anarchy.

Actually anarchy is the best 'political system' in existence... I mean it would be if people weren't such douchebags. The same applies to communism - great on the paper, shitty execution.

Communism was good on paper, shitty execution. Anarchy is unavoidably shitty because there is no execution, it's all up to the people. And no matter what you do, a percentage of people are douchebags.

Anarachy just needs a healthy dose of vigilantes to work. The problem being, of course, that douchebags vastly outnumber them. That 'percentage' is probably more like a majority. Vigilantes could win by working together, but then they wouldn't be vigilantes anymore, they'd be the government.

 

[sportforredneck]

Anarachy just needs a healthy dose of vigilantes to work. The problem being, of course, that douchebags vastly outnumber them. That 'percentage' is probably more like a majority. Vigilantes could win by working together, but then they wouldn't be vigilantes anymore, they'd be the government.

I volunteer to be a vigilante. I'll be a Bald Knobber. Anyone else want to join?

 

[Kaiserin]

You're all tools of the bourgeoisie!