File-sharing Icelanders busted
Boredom no excuse
REYKJAVIK DISTRICT Court on Monday, obviously not finding anything else worthy of their esteemed attention, convicted nine people for illegally downloading files using the file-sharing website DC++, generally believed to be the most extensively used free open-source, p2p file-sharing client, used by thousands of Icelanders, just looking to entertain themselves during their long, cold, dark winters of boredom.
Bjarki Magnússon got slammed with the harshest punishment of the nine, a 30-day provisional sentence. The court said that this was because it was he who had nefariously established a portal to DC++ on the website dci.is.
The other eight were let off with two years on probation, and a warning that if they re-offended, there would be severe consequences (being made to compete in next years Eurovision Song Contest?). The defendants were also made to cover all legal costs, which came to a total of ISK 2.6 million (USD 39,000, EUR 26,000), DV reports.
Clearly vindictive and sadistic Snaebjörn Steingrímsson, chairman of SMÁÍS, the Association of Film Right-Holders in Iceland, noted how disappointed he was with the extreme leniency of the sentences and sneered "This is a very clear verdict that confirms that the courts find [such downloading] illegal".
The case began after SMÁÍS filed complaints and police raided the homes of 12 suspects back in 2004, confiscating a large amount of computer equipment and cds. To keep them busy until the sun comes out again in April, a similar case called SMÁÍS vs. Svavar Lúthersson, a representative of the file-sharing website torrent.is, is currently underway and being heard before the Reykjanes District Court.
According to SMÁÍS, there has now been a 40 per cent drop in Iceland's net traffic volumes. µ
L'Inq
icelandreview.com
Comments
40% Drop in Traffic
There is a catch to Smáis claims of a drop in network traffic of 40%.That drop in traffic is only Between the local ISPs here in Iceland.
Overseas traffic has risen about 250% and so has the load on the Farice Sealine Optic.
So in one swoop Smais caused major overseas net connection blackouts for companies causing even stronger Bittorent throttling by the ISPs.
Have you heard?
If you know what copyright is, then you know you are breaking the law by downloading or file sharing without permission. Copyright law is what it is and is adopted amongst & upheld worldwide - dont do the crime if you cant do the time!2.6 million ISK.....
In terms of EVE online i'll gladly pay the 2.6 million ISK lol!1 Billion ISK is about 50 quid.....
Have you also heard?
That illegal price fixing, cartels and monopolies are illegal but if you're a multi-national film company owning even the cinemas themselves you can totally ignore the law providing you give large illegal backhanders to ministers to keep them under control.