p2pnet - rss feed: p2p file share convictions
p2pnet.net News Feature:- DOJ Scores First Criminal P2P Convictions | Two men plead guilty in online file-sharing case | DoJ nets P2P convictions | P2P pair plead guilty | First Convictions in US Peer-To-Peer Piracy Fight | Peer-To-Peer Convicts
Above are half-a-dozen Google news headlines from around the world suggesting the US has scored a major triumph over criminal file sharers whose activities are bringing the multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry to ruin.
The stories are based on Operation Gridlock, the ‘operation’ mounted by the seriously misnomered US Department of Justice, ably assisted by the FBI.
Two men admitted to ‘criminal’ copyright infringement, providing the mainstream press with a meal and the DoJ with a ‘triumph’.
Underground Network’s name comes up in this mockery. Below is appeal text from the site
Separating facts from fiction can be difficult; especially if larger corporations and the government are two of the main players in a situation. Hopefully this page will set the record straight and allow you to decide for yourself. You could call this is “FAQ” page, however we felt that calling it a “Facts” page made more sense and just fit better. Below you’ll find links to different questions and news stories, forum posts, and helpful websites in this fight for our rights and freedom. Please, take a moment to visit each one. Educate yourself so you aren’t taken by the fasade being put in front of so many people. (Registration may be required to visit some of the links below. It’s quick, painless and free, if even necessary.) The first set of questions are answered on this page (below). The next set of articles link to content outside of our domain (except for the noted Udgnet posts). Thanks for visiting. We sincerely hope you’ll understand the need for your help in this fight.
News stories from around the world (either related to our battle or others like it).
Media frenzy following the FBI raids (mostly misconstrued facts and blatant lies)- “The truth about Udgnet” (post by GuidoZ, Udgnet)
File-swapping legal fight gathers steam (post by kryten, Udgnet)
CIA funds chatroom surveillance (post by kryten, Udgnet)
Linux blunder Down Under could land MPAA in court (post by kryten, Udgnet)
File-swappers face three years’ jail (post by kryten, Udgnet)
File-swapping lawsuits put on hold (post by kryten, Udgnet)
Raising Funds/Helping the Team (post by Acid, Udgnet)
US COURT: P2P programmes NOT illegal (post by Movieman, Udgnet)- The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is a wonderful source for truth
- MPAA vs The People (EFF.org)
- USA PATRIOT Act (EFF.org)
- DMCA Archive (EFF.org)
- INDUCE Act = Hollings II? (EFF.org)
- MGM v. Grokster (EFF.org)
- Petition to take a stand against the RIAA (EFF.org)
- P2PNet.net is another awesome source of information
- Big Music myths debunked (P2PNet)
- Betamax/Fair Use (post by Jile, P2PNet)
- INDUCE fears grow (P2PNet)
- INDUCE Act consequences for the UK (P2PNet)
- EFF’s P2P copyright guide (P2PNet)
- DiaRIAA.com is an interesting source of information
- Congress Moves to Criminalize P2P
‘Pirate Act’ raises civil rights concerns
Senate OKs antipiracy plan
“Orrin Hatch’s Other Ridiculous Copyright Bill Passes The Senate”- UK Record Labels Expand Piracy Battle
- UK P2P users may face legal action
RIAA vs P2P (see other stories on page - troubles around the world)
Overseas groups battle their own Net piracy (old story, but still quite informative)- BPI threatens legal action over P2P
- To P2P or Not to P2P? (AU)
Recording Industry in Australia ‘announced’ record-breaking sales- Italy approves ‘jail for P2P users’ law
- ISPs Ignore RIAA’s New P2P Ploy
- Making P2P Pay Artists
- State Politicians Don’t Understand P2P Either
- Legal Digital Tunes Go P2P
- Boycott-RIAA.com - the name says it all
- Trading Good Music
P2P+RSS Are The Future Of TV Broadcasting- Google is your friend (Search for more facts on your own!)
Google is your friend (Search for more facts on your own!)
This list could be endless. (We may add to this links in the future.) There are so many stories, posts, explanations, and facts out there that we couldn’t possible begin to collect them all here. This is just a small cross section of some of the more important issues and discussions. We urge you to check out places like EFF.org, p2pnet.net and DownhillBattle.org. All have hundreds of stories and discussions which will help you to remain informed. Searching Google will also reveal a myriad of other tidbits of information. One must always remember to verify the source before trusting or believing information, however. Thanks again for your donations to help fight this battle.
How can I help?
Currently, the best way to help is to donate. The charges that have been filed (or will be filed) will be expensive to defend. This case is the first of it’s kind and everyone expects it to go all the way. Our friends who are fighting for their rights need the best legal defense possible; which unfortunately is also the most expensive. We’re just regular people with jobs and a mortgage and bills. We don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to defend our rights. Unfortunately those against us have millions.
Why should I help?
This case is the first of it’s kind. It’s going to set a precedence that will then be used for other cases to follow. The MPAA and RIAA need to be STOPPED. They are infringing on the freedom and rights of every man, woman and child. The laws they are pushing through Congress by lining the pockets of bureaucrats are astounding. See the links to the news stories on things like “Induce Act”, “DCMA”, and the “Patriot Act”. Luckily someone bothered to read it and reveal what horrors lie within. Unfortunately those signing them into laws and acts did not. This trend needs to be stopped. Even those outside the USA aren’t safe.
How does this affect me?
Many people aren’t aware of the laws that are silently being passed through Congress. Even those that do not use P2P or even the Internet will be affected. This is the fundamental problem with the current laws/acts currently being pushed through the legal process. They infringe on the rights and freedoms of EVERYONE. They reach beyond the privacy bounderies and into your home, your personl life, and personal freedoms. I urge you to read the news stories posted on this page. They explain just how far reaching some of these laws/acts are, how they are getting through “due process”, and what to expect once they make it. No one will be safe from the reach of the government and the large corporations.
Should I care if I don’t live in the USA?
Absolutely. There are already similar cases being filed in the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia (following in the footsteps of the FBI and Bush administration). A number of the articles linked on this page deal with this topic. Anyone living where P2P is in use could soon be affected (even if they don’t use it). We’re hoping to prevent civil liberties from being abused everywhere.
How are my donations used?
All donations we receive will be used to pay the mounting legal fees resulting from fighting this battle in court. The DoJ and those against us have almost unlimited funds (thanks to the large corporations lining their pockets). We only have what we can collect. Please, spare what you can for everyone’s good. Fighting this now will save fighting it in the future. They (Bush administration, RIAA, MPAA, etc) will not quit until they are stopped. You can make a difference by making a donation. Thank you.
Something you think we should know about? tips[at]p2pnet.net
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See:-
Operation Gridlock - ‘First-ever’ Gridlock convictions, p2pnet, January 19, 2005
January 21st, 2005 at 12:13 am
RIAA Relief fund should be started by an umbrella organization…
there are becoming too many hand out asking for help, soon you won’t know who is legit or not.