BT: cozy with the cartels
p2pnet.net News Views:- I know, I know…everyone’s gonna hate me as soon as they read the title and then start flaming me. Okay, bring it on. I don’t care and I don’t reply to trolls. But at least read and think about what I’ve written:
Yes, Bram is a genius. Obviously – as well as his IQ being officially documented. He did what no-one else could/would do. Besides creating the best-ever and most popular p2p program, he made it free and open source.
Okay, so he says he never intended it to be used for so-called “illegal filesharing”, and states that he’s never used it in that manner himself.
That’s fine, too. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on those two statements. And I admire him for what he’s done for millions of people, as well as being available online to help and answer questions, never charging a cent for his services.
I also know that he’d been unemployed for some time and had been looking for work in the software industry.
But now it looks as if he’s getting all cozy with the cartels and the big players, and has got at least a foot in bed with them. It looks like pretty soon one of them will be pulling the blanket up above their heads.
BitTorrent was created as open source for anyone to use or develop/improve. The cartels don’t have to ask Bram’s permission to use it or change it, as far as i know. I might be wrong if it’s for commercial use, but I might be right, too.
So, what happens when BT is in bed with the cartels? Well, the usual: Lots of heavy petting, groping…and finally…the average p2per gets “screwed” when the cartels buy the company “BitTorrent” from Bram, and have the so-called “legal right” to close down every tracker, and arrest and sue as many innocent people as they wish, at the very least for “using” THEIR BitTorrent technology “illegally”.
At that point – and it looks like it might be much sooner than later – free BT will cease to exist and the cartels (btw, cartels are illegal by any definition) will control any and all trackers as well as the development of BitTorrent. And then it will probably be restricted to crappy wmv/wma files and loaded with DRM and who know’s what else. Plus, you’ll have to pay for it.
It’ll either be that, or do it the old-fashioned way: wait years – or forever – for your local tv stations, theatres, and video shops to have what you want. Screwed again.
OKAY, yes! I know! Bram is free to do what he likes. He has the freedom to choose any type of employment he wants in order to support his family. And he deserves a good life after all the crap he’s probably had to put up with the past few years.
Who do you think paid for his transfer to Frisco, bringing him and his family and all of their belongings many miles, possibly even buying a house or apartment for him? Before then, he was unemployed, subsisting solely (he says) on the few donation that trickled in each week. How else could he have afforded such an extreme change in lifestyle?
Doesn’t this smell fishy to anyone else? Doesn’t the possible demise of free BitTorrent outrage anyone else?
Remember, courts in several countries have recently made legal, purchaseable dvd-ripping programs and dvd creation programs illegal. Some have even gone as far as blocking access to those companies’ websites. And some courts have even decided that it’s illegal to even DISCUSS those programs in public forums!
Freedoms are being taken away every day from the non-criminal filesharer who has the right to do whatever he/she wants with a legally purchased item. The real pirates making money off of black-market sales get “raided”, but not even arrested, according to a recent p2pnet article.
And now Bram Cohen, the genius creator of BitTorrent, is conspiring with the enemy to take our filesharing rights away.
Doesn’t this look like a Loki-style scam? It looks that way to me.
If you’ve ever given a donation to Bram Cohen, you MUST demand “Where’s the money?! Show us the money!”
Screwed again, and we weren’t even invited to the orgy.
Okay, let the flaming begin! 
catflap – p2pnet
(Welcome back : )
catflap also posted a version of this under Bram Cohen goes to Hollywood.
Below is another Reader’s Write.
Read on >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
All in all, I remembered when Bram Cohen first published BT. I´ve been using it since, and I still remember it would occasionally redirect to his web page asking for PayPal. And I thought then, and I still think now, I want to help him out. I don´t have PayPal, and I’m also unemployed.
But I recognize his hard work, and many others like him. And I still want to help him out. So when I´m employed, I’ve made the firm commitment that I will help him out and others like him, both financially and in spreading the word.
Free Software is a great social cause. It has helped so many people and companies. Even mega-corporations incorporate FS (GPL) including IBM, and Microsoft (yes, Microsoft), and even the notorious SCO has included it in their recent version of OpenServer.It is a great idea, GPL, since developers and users use widgets and code from each other.
But, it would be really nice for those who benefited (and can afford) to help these guys out. They need to feed their families. But, if you are like me at the moment, unable to financially help, always keep this thought in mind. So when the time comes, help out your fellow GPL programmer who has given his time to help us – If you like help out with the programs you like and found useful.
But I would suggest, also help out the lesser known programs since they definitely need exposure and help.
Well, that´s all I have to say. I’m working hard looking for a job. I’ve always thought about setting up a ‘Free Software Charity Foundation’ whose aim is to assist those who contribute to the world by developing Free Software.
It´s harder than some people think. But, I also know that writing good code is hard work, so that is why I am so determined to create this FS Charity Foundation. For those who know me (and that is many), I always had ‘lofty’ ideals — but, they also know that I’m an EXTREMELY dedicated person. They have learned from experience to never doubt my dedication and commitment to helping others.
I’m a man of my words!
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August 2nd, 2005 at 7:32 pm
I dont know why everyone labels him a “genius.” Yes, he is good at math and good at programming. But what else can he do? Can he repair cars? Does he know how to wire a house? Can he paint a self portrait? Does he know the history of Japan?
Personally I’m sick of his glorification. He’s a sheltered, anti-social troll that should serve as an example for all men who lack the confidence to get a girlfriend. If this socially inept clown can get a WIFE, then…well you fill in the blanks…
Smart? Yes. Genius? NO!
August 2nd, 2005 at 7:33 pm
just to make it clear:
i revamped and added to my original posting, turning it into the above article.
the second part above is not written by me. it is another reader’s response to the same article i originally posted to.
August 2nd, 2005 at 7:37 pm
as far as i can remember, his IQ has been officially graded as “genius”.
i’m also pretty sure that he’s been married for several years and has at least one child. i remember reading a bit about/from him in the past.
so yes, he’s a genius. yes he’s a family man. can he do all those things you listed? i don’t know. can YOU?
August 2nd, 2005 at 8:01 pm
He’s a genius by your standards. I do not have to subscribe to your philosophy or an athoritative philosophy on what is or is not ‘genius.’
And yes, he is a family man at 29. Good for him. I am also 29, however no children and not married. But I do have lady friends. Some would say that is genius.
Again, my vote is for no on Bram. Time to scrape him off his high tower.
August 2nd, 2005 at 8:34 pm
This was a comment made by Twizzlr on Slyck:
http://www.slyck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13238
I posted this story from here on Slyck’s forums and I think this was an interesting response to Catflap’s story:
“Isn’t this inaccurate?
“and finally…the average p2per gets “screwed” when the cartels buy the company “BitTorrent” from Bram, and have the so-called “legal right” to close down every tracker, and arrest and sue as many innocent people as they wish, at the very least for “using” THEIR BitTorrent technology “illegally”.”
Under the GPL license, BT is open-source, and will remain that way. I think if a company modifies it for proprietary use, they must release the source code, under the terms of the GPL license.
The developer of the code, as owner of the GNU/GPL license, can write a non-free program using the same code, but cannot withdraw or make illegal the original free program.
See this section of this page:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#WhatIfSchool
I would like to release a program I wrote under the GNU GPL, but I would like to use the same code in non-free programs.
To release a non-free program is always ethically tainted, but legally there is no obstacle to your doing this. If you are the copyright holder for the code, you can release it under various different non-exclusive licenses at various times.
Is the developer of a GPL-covered program bound by the GPL? Could the developer’s actions ever be a violation of the GPL?
Strictly speaking, the GPL is a license from the developer for others to use, distribute and change the program. The developer itself is not bound by it, so no matter what the developer does, this is not a “violation” of the GPL.
However, if the developer does something that would violate the GPL if done by someone else, the developer will surely lose moral standing in the community.
Can the developer of a program who distributed it under the GPL later license it to another party for exclusive use?
No, because the public already has the right to use the program under the GPL, and this right cannot be withdrawn.”
August 2nd, 2005 at 9:05 pm
It`s a shame this type of trash gets passed as news on p2pnet these days
This is the type of uninformed bullshit one would expect to find spewing from Earthstation5`s ( scam p2p application ) Sharepro
Bram moved with his family and you acuse him of stealing money ? What sort of idiot are you ?
There`s just so much wrong with this `story` I`d expect no one to take it the slightest bit seriously , shame this will end up everywhere on the net with p2pnet`s name
Please , jon , for the sake of this great site — dont allow useless rants like this story to filter onto this site
August 2nd, 2005 at 9:12 pm
“The cartels don’t have to ask Bram’s permission to use it or change it, as far as i know. I might be wrong if it’s for commercial use, but I might be right, too.”
you’re supposed to be a writer for gods sake. how can you call this news???
what a joke!
August 2nd, 2005 at 9:16 pm
LOL p2pnet can kiss goodbye to any relations with BRAM/BT . . .
. . . u have got to be on crack to buy into this story
August 2nd, 2005 at 9:55 pm
“OKAY, yes! I know! Bram is free to do what he likes. He has the freedom to choose any type of employment he wants in order to support his family. And he deserves a good life after all the crap he’s probably had to put up with the past few years.”
So then what the hell is your argument?
Besides its open source, its not like it will disappear from public usage.
ugg…kids these days.
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:02 pm
is it april 1st??? this article is a joke right??
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:31 pm
if i was to go by your great detective work kid, i could write an article stating p2pnet is ‘cozy with the cartels’ because they interviewed pete ashdown. think about it.
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:44 pm
hehe like this thread =)
quite funny thanks for the LOL
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:50 pm
duh.
READ, idiot!
“p2pnet.net News Views”
maybe one day when you grow up, you might have an original idea and we’ll post it here.
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:01 pm
second the motion.. catflap seems to have little idea what he is talking about..
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:02 pm
Most people don’t get permission to share movies via BT but still do. The cartels may cry “but BT is ours, you can’t use it!”
So what?!
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:08 pm
i never accused him of stealing money. if you read the article, you’ll see that. don’t libel me.
i was refering to the probable millions he received/will receive from the cartels.
and if you notice, it is an op-ed piece, labeled as “p2pnet.net News Views”. duh. get it? “VIEWS”, not “NEWS”.
as a regular contributor – and roving reporter for p2pnet – i was asked to contribute my comment as an op-ed piece.
if you ever grow up and have an original idea, maybe jon will publish it.
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:17 pm
Although I don’t agree that Bram has scammed anyone, catflap isn’t the first person to report he’s had meetings with the Motion Picture Association of America.
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/editorial/12274166.htm also points out that Bram and BitTorrent’s COO met with them recently so it does look like they want to do business with Bram. However, I really doubt that the MPAA can outlaw anyone from using the BitTorrent protocol.
I’ve watched Bram speak a few times and he’s referred to the RIAA and MPAA as cartels so it would be disappointing to see him working with them.
I think the movie industry is interested in setting up a service similar to BT but with DRM included so that they can have complete control over the distribution.
I still don’t see how they can take over BitTorrent protocol though.
August 3rd, 2005 at 12:17 am
Man, do you have issues!
August 3rd, 2005 at 1:33 am
original idea?? kinda like:
“So, what happens when BT is in bed with the cartels? Well, the usual: Lots of heavy petting, groping…and finally…the average p2per gets “screwed” when the cartels buy the company “BitTorrent” from Bram, and have the so-called “legal right” to close down every tracker, and arrest and sue as many innocent people as they wish, at the very least for “using” THEIR BitTorrent technology “illegally”.”
Oh wait, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT… the problem with you “op-ed” piece is that its pure trash and stupidity… it tarnishes p2pnet
August 3rd, 2005 at 5:06 am
its not news, its an opinion
August 3rd, 2005 at 5:27 am
I found myself grinning at the reaction to this story. In the first paragraph catflap even notes the expected flaming to follow.
Don’t get me wrong, I love BT, use it more than anything else.
I have great admiration to Bram for developing the worlds greatest filesharing app to date. He is however only human, susceptible to the same foibles as any other person.
To think that he wouldn’t sell the rights to BT to enrich his family’s life is folly. Altruism tends to fly out the window when you are barely making it living on donations and you are suddenly offered large sums of money for your creation.
To believe that the cartels wouldn’t come up with a way to control all use of BT if they acquired the rights to it is self delusional.
Face it, p2p apps have a short shelf life and the more popular the app the shorter it is. Even if none of the points in the article are true (and I’m sure some research went into this), BT’s days are numbered.
BT will eventually fall, probably sooner than later. The good news is that undoubtedly something will replace it, almost sure to be even better. Historically p2p has always had a major technical advantage over its adversaries and at least since napster, has always anticipated the next move.
August 3rd, 2005 at 9:03 am
I think it’s embarassing for Jon to have somebody so rude as you to be cooperating on P2Pnet.
Calling the P2Pnet readership idiots (whether they are idiots or not is the matter) is not giving P2Pnet a good image.
You defend yourself constantly by simply stating this is your “opinion”, not “news”. I’m sorry, but this is not how good journalism works. Even columnists must back their opinions with facts. Misinformed statements aren’t an OPINION, they’re a show of IGNORANCE.
- Jeff T.