ACS law is run by Andrew Crossley, an anagram of his name reveals:-
SCORNED LAWYERS
and
COWARDLY SNEERS
and LARCENY DOWSERS
ha ha serves these legalised blackmailers right!

Theft deprives the use of an item from its rightful owner. Information is not property and copying it doesn't deprive access to the information from the person it is copied from.

Actual property gets to be legitimately owned either through a process of homesteading of an unowned natural resource or through voluntary relinquishment of ownership to another individual, for example in a trade. Creation is not a source of ownership; if you make a statue out of marble, you own the statue only because you own the block of marble.

Intellectual property, unlike real property, is non-scarce. If someone makes a marble statue identical to yours, your marble statue still exists and is still yours.

In an effort to maximize the creation of information states have chosen to grant monopolies called patents and copyrights.

Both are imoral, because they attempt to establish part ownership of property which is already owned by someone else(can't play certain sequences of notes on a piano in public, can't play a music recording under certain circumstances, can't copy certain kinds of information).

They are also detrimental in that like all other monopolies they cause artificial shortages, reduce the quality, increase the cost and slow the technical and cultural innovation they are meant to provide.

If you want to retain control over what can be done with a piece of information, don't let it out into the wild in the first place.

"Piracy is theft

Piracy is theft of goods or services that you failed to pay for. Infringement is use without compensation. That's why pirates are being prosecuted and convicted. No one is entitled to anything that they don't pay for."

BS, you are clueless!

Theft is taking something physical without the owners permission, a Statuary criminal offence and possibly a breach of Common Law.

Copyright infringement is the use of idea without the (dubious) permission or the rights holder, this is NOT theft, but a civil dispute!

Copyright is based on Statute, thus not law, only common law is law, thus Copyright is _optional_!

The Powers That Be want you to think statues are law, but they are only have the power of law, IF you consent, think out it!

Well, I, nameless, hearby declare Lawful Rebellion to all this lawlessness, including this 'fishing' expedition, so they can frack off!

BTW: All my critical traffic is hard encrypted, IP filtered, and via a semi-pro firewall, so they have no chance in hell of any hearsay 'proof'!

@Jose, I understand what you say and to a large degree agree with it. My question is why are large corporations allowed to encourage copying by making it so easy to do so in their programs? Microsoft Media Player rips, iTunes rips and a whole plethora of software enables ripping of CD's. Is the ripping of CD's into your fave music program and putting it on your various music players that far away from file sharing?
@Jonathan, If your whining post was directed towards me, I wasn't whining, I was attempting to put the freetards frame of mind in perspective.

Some of you folks must be on some really good drugs with your thought process? Sharing copyright protected material is not competition, it's theft. That is precisely why copyright laws exist to prevent the theft of artistic works.

As an example, why doesn't someone buy a copy of a Windows O/S and just share it with everyone in the world for free? Who cares if the scumbags at Microsucks spent tens of millions of dollars producing their crapware O/S. They are scum so why not just steal their crappy O/S and use it for free? The reason is because it's a crime to steal anything.

Well the same applies to music or any copyright protected works. Music companies spend millions producing and promoting each artist. When you pirate you are stealing money from the music companies and the artist who get royalties from their work.

If you can't understand this simple concept you need to educate yourself.

The judicial system doesn't give a rats arse what your (foolish) beliefs are. If you chose to pirate you will be fined and even sent to jail. You know this before you pirate so don't waste everyone's time bitching when you get prosecuted.

And didn't the same copyright holders complain that a tape recorder was a huge problem as people could get and share music for nothing. Or burn a CD and give it to your friends. Or tape a tv show or movie off your HD recorder etc. Filesharing is the future of distribution of any digital content.

Why the powers that be don't understand that this is something that could be of benefit to them is beyond me.

Basically you have a planet full of people who are happy to give away their bandwidth for in-kind service. why not use that? Start a subscription torrent site which tracks uploads as well as downloads. reward seeders with credits, keep the prices low, give away prices to the first 100 seeders of a new release etc. There is no shipping, no packaging and with the right incentives very limited demands on bandwidth.

I also seem to recall a hugely successful site called all of mp3, which seemed to charge what a digital distribution should cost and people could give their money away fast enough.

File sharing is competition. Adapt to it. Beat it at its own game. Don't sue fifteen year olds for what basically has been done ever since people could easily record and copy content in their homes.

Why have not the Nigerian Phishers not started sending demanding letters out?
I mean, if I lived in Nigeria and wanted easy money I would bulk email a f**k load of people demanding cash.
And probably get at least 5% return.
'Dear sir, our finance minister has found that you have downloaded Happy Birthday on at least three occasions; we need for you to deposit 11 million dollars (which we will return as soon as the investigation is complete). . .

The pirates always make it so easy to be convicted, it's not even a challenge. Pay me now or pay dearly later. The pirates can run but they can't hide.

Usenet.

lets see how deep their deep packet inspection goes! 256bit encryption should keep them busy for a while.

Following a digital trail needs cooperation from the operator of every point along the trail. ISPs, wireless operators, mobile operators.
On the other hand most public trackers generate some random false IPs. That way it is assured that false positives will happen.

@Jonathan
Whining isn't going to change anything. When the man comes knocking on your door, you're gonna wish you hadn't pirated.

Especially if you didn't pirate anything, just your ip was spoofed, or your wireless was hacked. 'The man' won't care for your excuses, and lawyers cost a lot of money.

I say send letters to everyone they see on any torrent tracker. When politicians or powerful enough people will get letters like that, then public awareness will finally change.

The rest of the pirates will continue to use the darknet, rapidshare and ftp like they always did.

No one really cares what the pirates have to say. Whining isn't going to change anything. When the man comes knocking on your door, you're gonna wish you hadn't pirated.

What about false positives? The copyright gestapo in the US was using these tactics long before there was an internet or home taping. The technique then, was to send demand letters to companies that played copyrighted music over their public address system or music on hold on their telephone systems without a license from the copyright control agency, or a source like a radio station. Under US copyright law that was considered rebroadcasting. Most companies would settle and write the cost off as a business expense. Individuals do not have that luxury.

The copyright control agencies in the US used the same method of operation when ASCAP sent the Girl Scouts of America a demand letter in 1996 demanding payment for singing copyrighted songs around their campfires. ASCAP considered such activities as a performance and demanded significant fees. The backlash from the general public quickly forced ASCAP to change their tune. You can read the rest of the story if you Google Girl Scouts + ASCAP. Pick the New York Times Article.

We have the same problem here in the US, with copyright shakedown artists sending demand letters without due process. I do not know how the legal system operates in the UK but in the US anyone can file a lawsuit with minimal basis and if the defendant does not respond, the case will automatically be found in favor of the plaintiff. The plaintiff will automatically be granted damages. In the US a victim of a copyright shakedown is forced to settle or pay a lawyer exorbitant fees to defend them.

File sharing of copyrighted material is obvisouly wrong and cant be condoned. What is also wrong is the ridiculous sums charged for a CD or DVD. The music creator, the artist getting a fraction of the revenue but still living a very very plush, superstar lifestyle. The middleman still making bucket loads in the meantime and file sharers branded criminals? The Hollywood megastar paid millions for a few months work condensed into about 100 mins of 'entertainment'. The system's shot at and needs to be reformed from the top, down. Could entertainment companies and movie studios learn a little from P2P instead of fighting it? Reform distribution and charging and file sharing could be obsolete.

Until 2 years from now i was prepaid on service that will pop up again,
40$ per month for 2Tb of data, clean checked, safe and on HDD.
Just needed to drive my 500 HDD and swap for full 4 times a month. I think my "DEALER" is still operating but on a scale of 1TB drives.

PS. And without bandwidth limitations :))

So I hope they start charging for the air that you breathe in your country, capitalistic whore.

Until such time as it does I will always have this defence. "Wasnt me m'lud, some salty dog passing by in the fog used my wifi for plundering"

A dynamic IP address does not help...your ISP records the time and date and to whom any given IP address was allocated to, and retains this data I believe from 6 months to 2 years.

Its a pity the media providers and ISP's can't get together to make a better distribution system...saw one suggestion that sounded good....was called a "No Sue Covernant" or something similar.
The ISP pays the media industry a set amount to protect its customers from copyright action....the cost of this could then be passed onto the end user as perhaps a "no sue" add on to their broadband package which you can opt into or out of.
I would gladly pay a flat rate for that sort of thing...means that you are not comitting to buy individual items...games are my thing so if they turn out to be crappy no problem....god I've got shelves full of legit games that are crappy that I've given up on after a couple of levels.
Also film...I watch a film once and that is it...why would I want to buy and keep a dvd?

Just saying there has to be a better way to end this pirate vs media industry conflict than through the courts.

Do all of these people have Static IP addresses?

If they are Dynamic then they have a case of defense - it must have been the user before who was using that IP address!

Surely?

I'm sorry but only idiots used the bay, and it was full of rubbish. There's 1000's, hell, 100's of thousands of torrent sites, alot which have private trackers which offer a million times better than the bay ever could. And another 100 sites open for everyone anyone closes. Its a losing battle for the power mongers who demand such stupid money. People are fed up of being robbed left right and center, simple as. People wouldn't mind if the world wasnt so corrupt, but it is. Take it as 'the people talking'. I'm certain most people wouldnt mind paying for music if it went to the artist, but it doesnt! Soon as we get rid of the middle man, I'm sure things will be a lot better for everyone!

Don't be so narrow minded, your country id shafting you up the backside everyday. And f you look, the UK is a COMPANY! If you want be an employee of it, fair enough for you, but i don't want be dictated too. Police, Courts, all PROFITABLE COMPANIES!!! Not to serve the public!!! Check it out if you don't believe me, its not hard to find with a quick google.

This world truly makes me sick and i find it hard to find a reason why not to call the human race a parasite. Luckily the world will go on fine without us, we on the other hand will pay for our ignorance! Unless a global revolt turns against the 'higher' powers.

Bilderberg Group - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group

And the oldschool group...

Illuminati - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminati

Sick Sick world!

oh well. time to pay up you pirates - look your bay is dead!

if these SOB (sons of bitches) are accurate then the good folks should be o.k.

Legal implies acts and statutes, both of which are contracts so if you don't understand or agree to them, they DON'T apply to you. Your coned into agreeing to them because people don't do there research! LAW is COMMON LAW! This can basically be put as simple as Don't cause loss or harm to any person (of flesh and blood). You see, this country as not been able make laws since it went bankrupt so they put acts and statutes there and teach people this is LAW which in itself is fraud! The most punishable offense of all! 60% of the public needs to agree for anything to pass which obviously doesn't. The law system works 1. King(or queen) and there closest associates, 2. NATURAL PERSON (i.e you, me and everyone else), 3. Companies and Corporations & finally 4. Lawyers/Solicitors. When you go court and use a solicitor or lawyer, your basically giving up your right as a NATURAL BEING for someone lower than a corporation or company! So, your a dumb-ass if you don't defend yourself and do a little research into COMMON LAW. Even better, Get an affidavit signing yourself out of all the BS and produce it when needed. Its higher than any high court judge!

You heARD IT HERE FIRST

The reason for copyright would be an example of the likes of the original rock and rollers. One example, Pink Floyd-Dark side of the moon, still selling millions after 30 years. You think the likes of Puff Daddy or Britney Spears is going to do the same. Only in your wet dreams. The creators of original Rock and Roll will out sell the shit they have, and are selling today.That is what this copyright crap is all about, hold on to the money making machine. You think if these jerk offs were around during Mozart and Beethoven days we'd be listening to there music for free, NO, if it still sold millions, the sleaze bags would keep extending the copright. THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. If it still makes money after 300 years keep extending the copyright. Anti pirates been conned over so many times they can't see the forest for the trees. You ever look at a financial report on these companies. They don't refer to these musicians as Artists, their classified as assets, nothing more nothing less. Can they or can they not keep making money for the sleaze bags,that is what this copyright crap is all about. If these sleaze bags could copyright some of the old works retroactively, they would. I wouldn't doubt some lawyer is busting his brains trying to come up with a way to do just that. If he fails he can always get it legislated into law, like they have been doing.

@Answer man
What trail? IP address?
There is no trail that leads to you if you are using someone else's wi-fi, trails leads to the unsuspecting owner.
That is unless proper investigation is done and without checking actual computers in the home that is not possible.

When you access a server you leave a digital trail. It does not matter if you are using your ISP or hi-jacking an unprotected wi-fi system. The trail will lead to you.

Thats reduced from 30,000 that Inquirer reported two days ago....give it a few weeks and it will be down to the proper level....BIG FAT ZERO

if u have an unsecured wifi router, how will they be able to know whether it was u who was doing the dling or someone stealing ur wifi?

Piracy is theft of goods or services that you failed to pay for. Infringement is use without compensation. That's why pirates are being prosecuted and convicted. No one is entitled to anything that they don't pay for.

@Doug Glass
If you refer to the bastards sending those 15,000 letters as thieves then you are right. It is plain old simple extortion. "A nice reputation you have there gramps... Wouldn't want some child porn to ruin it now would ya?"

Ip adresses do not identify people. Nothing ever identifies people on the net 100%. How do they claim to not send any false accusations?

If you mistakenly refer to pirates as thieves then let me enlighten you:
Theft is denying someone access to one's goods which is a criminal offense.
Copyright infringement is the exact opposite, it enables the world access to goods otherwise artificially restricted.

Obviously, this is scare tactics. But a certain number of the 15,000 will simply fork over their (or their parents) hard earned money for one reason or another.

But what all the thieves had best realize is the noose is tightening. And the industry groups have VERY deep pockets and they know the common thief doesn't.

So keep it up boys, but you better check you six really often and be on the alert for that hot breath on the back of your neck.

Bet some pirates are gonna experience the big pucker factor. Couldn't happen to a nicer crowd.

as long as they have the financial means to pay for legal representation.....it's the same in every country on Earth so I am not targeting anyone except perhaps those countries who still practice the Inquisitorial System....then having a lawyer is the same as not having one.

Once again we see scare tactics being employed to attack the "evil" which is file sharing...they think this will somehow contribute to their profits.

The fact is, all it will manage to do is give BT a really bad reputation and force people to use better means of privacy and encryption.

You cannot stop us, because we are everyone. Ministers and copyright group officials should first look at what their own families are doing. Their kids are sharing files.

P2P Came Late in Planning for Public transition to Digital. Idea Is to Break TRUE P2P, as TRUE P2P offerrs FREE Service anywhere another digital equipment is onLine.

What Public Is Being Sold Is North Korean Gangster, that If YOU are dumb enough, they'll go for Heart.

P2P is exactly that, dialing number or entering serviceable address into telco thru computer & directly connecting, similar to your isp. However, your isp then connects Modified, like P2P, for you with http file server & address kit. While in True Free P2P, you enter address each time, telco does routing Automatically.

Crapt about circle of interconnections is cat crap. If you can stand stench you get litter box reward, gangsters breaking into your home. Thought out about 1964 & still big Who-Who, its also Felonious thieft, run by people whomn Kill first, Then Go For Anything Lying about. Just Thieft of Service Of 100% Free Digital Service Is 100% Pervasive. Believe Me, Your ISP Getts It ALL FREE. Then Brow Whips Confession From End User.

drashek

Here's the scoop, people, DO NOT roll over and play dead. Here in the US(where the RIAA and MPAA have the most power, by far) facing the charges and challenging the charges is the solution. The only people who ever seem to pay up here are people who don't bother to contest the letters and people with morons for lawyers. Of course, it doesn't help if the clients are morons either.

So if the vultures can't win here, but only pretend they do in the court, how much better might the situation be where you are. :)