SOPA

[SBR*]

Perhaps they were hoping for SOPA to be passed?

[Kett Shee]

So that they can effectively do the same to sites not based in the U.S., like MegaUpload was.

MegaUpload was based in Hong Kong. I don't know how the U.S. government took it down.

I'm not sure if this counts, but they had quite a bit of servers in the U.S., right?

[Futendra]

So that they can effectively do the same to sites not based in the U.S., like MegaUpload was.

MegaUpload was based in Hong Kong. I don't know how the U.S. government took it down.

Their logics were: "It is used in the US, and it is a US site, so it is US." (I think ofc)

[ForeverZer0]

MegaUpload, which "officially" is from Hong Kong, did most of its business within US borders, including over 1000 servers, and they used PayPal, a US company, to do their transactions. That, along with the ambiguity of "where" the internet is, gave enough for some judge to issue their arrests. 

[AngryPacman]

I don't like that. D:<

[ForeverZer0]

Neither do I.  The whole situation is such bullshit.

[Vell]

Regardless, they actually were pulling quite a lot of bullshits. It's a legitimate takedown, aside from where Megaupload was officially located.

[ForeverZer0]

So now that SOPA and PIPA have been successfully stalled, make room for the new label they chose to stick on it.

The OPEN Act.
http://keepthewebopen.com/

[G_G]

Oh great. >_>

[tSwitch]

The Megaupload shakedown is legitimate.  There's emails from their servers showing that they were paying via the rewards program to people who they -knew- were uploading copyrighted content, and they themselves were mirroring it with dummy accounts.  They're being given due process of the law, so this is perfectly fine with me.  This is further proof that existing laws are more than enough to deal with legitimate piracy concerns.

Also I refuse to give up liberty for someone else's sake.  Thinking it's ok to lose freedom for security of any sort is the sort of thing that gets us the PATRIOT act and similar legislation.  As Ben Franklin said, those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither.

[The Niche]

As Ben Franklin said, those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither.

This really is the only possible conclusion to be drawn from this discussion. It's ironic, really. A room full of senators and congressmen who claim to be fit to lead can't understand a basic truth that one of their founders expressed when a bunch of nerds with no power can.

[Zeriab]

Until they figure out a version where they don't shoot themselves too badly they won't get something passed.
At least we can be sure no version which attacks DNSSEC will pass. (Well... where it's known that DNSSEC will be attackeds)

[Ryex]

So now that SOPA and PIPA have been successfully stalled, make room for the new label they chose to stick on it.

The OPEN Act.
http://keepthewebopen.com/

now hold on there. the OPEN act have been around for a while and is actually the GOOD alternative to SOPA .OPEN keeps the web OPEN. you WANT OPEN

[ForeverZer0]

Did you read the bill?

[Ryex]

I have read it but not in detail, it gives the power to take digital copywrite infringement cases that go outside the borders of the US to the Internationale Trade Commission which already handles patent cases in that area. and that's it.  it accomplishes what SOPA was trying to do with forum websites and give copy-write holders the tools to fight them but it's doesn't make them any more powerful than they already are.

Thats my understanding. and Demand Progress supports that act so i'm inclined to believe I didn't miss any details that would spell disaster.

[SBR*]

Piracy can't be stopped, due to the simple fact that this is digital: anything is possible.

[Subsonic_Noise]

Piracy can be reduced by quite a bit. How? By offering a decent, modern alternative.

[The Niche]

Piracy can be reduced by quite a bit. How? By offering a decent, modern alternative.

Aye, but ya'll always be left with some out and out cut-throat, peg-legged, parrot owning sea dogs.

[Blizzard]

ACTA explained

Piracy can be reduced by quite a bit. How? By offering a decent, modern alternative.

Or by lowering the prices. e.g. $50 for a video game is way too much. 90% of that goes to the publishers anyway. :/ The developers can be happy if they get a chunk of all that money. :/

[SBR*]

In Holland, there's an organization called BUMA, which fights for copyrights. They've taxed DVD-r(w)s and the money they earn from it goes straight to the people who have lost money due to piracy. This way, those people won't lose any money, as long as people actually use DVDs for pirated content.