Megaupload shut down

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

I think this is what is missed in these arguments: we go on and on about the ideal of a free uncensored internet but I find it hard to believe that people wouldnt want law enforcement going online after those who try to engage in child porn, underage solicitation or the like. I dont think one can pretend because its the internet, laws shouldnt apply. I think if there isnt enforcement the utility of the internet will disappear - i dont want someone to be able to get off scott free after hacking my bank account because they did it on the web. I want them caught and prosecuted. Can monitoring go too far? Absolutely. Its our job to be vigilant and fight when necessary - like when people did with SOPA and like people did opposing the Fairness doctrine for radio stations.

We already have laws against fraud and child porn. We should have those - we should punish those that commit illegal activity. What we shouldn't do is punish the masses because of the activity of the minority. It's just like being back in elementary school when one person threw a paper airplane or a spitball at the teacher so the entire class was punished and lost recess.

copyright laws are currently on the books too. Why not enforce them?

exact33 wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

I think this is what is missed in these arguments: we go on and on about the ideal of a free uncensored internet but I find it hard to believe that people wouldnt want law enforcement going online after those who try to engage in child porn, underage solicitation or the like. I dont think one can pretend because its the internet, laws shouldnt apply. I think if there isnt enforcement the utility of the internet will disappear - i dont want someone to be able to get off scott free after hacking my bank account because they did it on the web. I want them caught and prosecuted. Can monitoring go too far? Absolutely. Its our job to be vigilant and fight when necessary - like when people did with SOPA and like people did opposing the Fairness doctrine for radio stations.

We already have laws against fraud and child porn. We should have those - we should punish those that commit illegal activity. What we shouldn't do is punish the masses because of the activity of the minority. It's just like being back in elementary school when one person threw a paper airplane or a spitball at the teacher so the entire class was punished and lost recess.

copyright laws are currently on the books too. Why not enforce them?

Good question - same as gun laws, yet people want more and more laws. And the politicians want to look they did "something" i.e. "Hey, look at the law I passed" at re-election time.

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

I think this is what is missed in these arguments: we go on and on about the ideal of a free uncensored internet but I find it hard to believe that people wouldnt want law enforcement going online after those who try to engage in child porn, underage solicitation or the like. I dont think one can pretend because its the internet, laws shouldnt apply. I think if there isnt enforcement the utility of the internet will disappear - i dont want someone to be able to get off scott free after hacking my bank account because they did it on the web. I want them caught and prosecuted. Can monitoring go too far? Absolutely. Its our job to be vigilant and fight when necessary - like when people did with SOPA and like people did opposing the Fairness doctrine for radio stations.

We already have laws against fraud and child porn. We should have those - we should punish those that commit illegal activity. What we shouldn't do is punish the masses because of the activity of the minority. It's just like being back in elementary school when one person threw a paper airplane or a spitball at the teacher so the entire class was punished and lost recess.

copyright laws are currently on the books too. Why not enforce them?

Good question - same as gun laws, yet people want more and more laws. And the politicians want to look they did "something" i.e. "Hey, look at the law I passed" at re-election time.

but US copyright is enumerated in the US Constitution - it is not merely some politicians attempt to create more law.

exact33 wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

I think this is what is missed in these arguments: we go on and on about the ideal of a free uncensored internet but I find it hard to believe that people wouldnt want law enforcement going online after those who try to engage in child porn, underage solicitation or the like. I dont think one can pretend because its the internet, laws shouldnt apply. I think if there isnt enforcement the utility of the internet will disappear - i dont want someone to be able to get off scott free after hacking my bank account because they did it on the web. I want them caught and prosecuted. Can monitoring go too far? Absolutely. Its our job to be vigilant and fight when necessary - like when people did with SOPA and like people did opposing the Fairness doctrine for radio stations.

We already have laws against fraud and child porn. We should have those - we should punish those that commit illegal activity. What we shouldn't do is punish the masses because of the activity of the minority. It's just like being back in elementary school when one person threw a paper airplane or a spitball at the teacher so the entire class was punished and lost recess.

copyright laws are currently on the books too. Why not enforce them?

Good question - same as gun laws, yet people want more and more laws. And the politicians want to look they did "something" i.e. "Hey, look at the law I passed" at re-election time.

but US copyright is enumerated in the US Constitution - it is not merely some politicians attempt to create more law.

I have no problem at all with copyright laws. If you create something, it's your choice to give it away for free for get paid for it. Personally, I choose the get paid option. If you charge for something and someone takes it, it's theft.

Back in that day, most bands didn't care about the whole taping issue. It actually helped sales. It's different now when you can get an exact copy for free of what you can buy from I-Tunes or Amazon Music. It's just like going into a record store and shoplifting the cassette.

I have no issue with laws against it - what I have a problem with is censorship and punishing the majority because the minority broke the law.

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

I think this is what is missed in these arguments: we go on and on about the ideal of a free uncensored internet but I find it hard to believe that people wouldnt want law enforcement going online after those who try to engage in child porn, underage solicitation or the like. I dont think one can pretend because its the internet, laws shouldnt apply. I think if there isnt enforcement the utility of the internet will disappear - i dont want someone to be able to get off scott free after hacking my bank account because they did it on the web. I want them caught and prosecuted. Can monitoring go too far? Absolutely. Its our job to be vigilant and fight when necessary - like when people did with SOPA and like people did opposing the Fairness doctrine for radio stations.

We already have laws against fraud and child porn. We should have those - we should punish those that commit illegal activity. What we shouldn't do is punish the masses because of the activity of the minority. It's just like being back in elementary school when one person threw a paper airplane or a spitball at the teacher so the entire class was punished and lost recess.

copyright laws are currently on the books too. Why not enforce them?

Good question - same as gun laws, yet people want more and more laws. And the politicians want to look they did "something" i.e. "Hey, look at the law I passed" at re-election time.

but US copyright is enumerated in the US Constitution - it is not merely some politicians attempt to create more law.

I have no problem at all with copyright laws. If you create something, it's your choice to give it away for free for get paid for it. Personally, I choose the get paid option. If you charge for something and someone takes it, it's theft.

Back in that day, most bands didn't care about the whole taping issue. It actually helped sales. It's different now when you can get an exact copy for free of what you can buy from I-Tunes or Amazon Music. It's just like going into a record store and shoplifting the cassette.

I have no issue with laws against it - what I have a problem with is censorship and punishing the majority because the minority broke the law.

I think with megaupload's case look at what they are charged with: money laundering, racketeering, conspiracy to commit copyright infringement and criminal copyright infringement. This wasnt the case where the majority of the filesharing was of the aunt thelma's cookies cookbook and a little side copyright infringement. This isnt a case where minority broke the law. The company as a whole was engaged in the practice (NYT article):

... the government asserts that ... employees knew full well that the site's main use was to distribute infringing content. Indeed, the government points to numerous internal e-mails and chat logs from employees showing that they were aware of copyrighted material on the site and even shared it with each other.

Hasn't it been said that copyright law cannot be enforced by government without the copyright holder initiating the suit?

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Hasn't it been said that copyright law cannot be enforced by government without the copyright holder initiating the suit?

My understanding is that you are correct. I believe the Motion Picture Association of America was after megaupload.

exact33 wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Hasn't it been said that copyright law cannot be enforced by government without the copyright holder initiating the suit?

My understanding is that you are correct. I believe the Motion Picture Association of America was after megaupload.

That's the thing. Movie studios own/buy the copyrights to most major motion pictures. But music copyrights & publishing can be held by different entities (band, label, publishing company, 3rd party, etc). Litigation on that level would be a gargantuan undertaking.

A guy I know has this as his Facebook status:
- MegaUpload - Closed
- MediaFire - Called to testify in the next 90 days and due to be investigated by FBI
- FileServe - Closing within days
- FileJungle - Deleting files. All US servers locked
- UploadStation - Deleting files. All US servers locked
- FileSonic - Deleting files. All US servers locked
- Uploaded - Deleting files. All US servers locked
- FilePost - Deleting all material within days
- 4shared - Deleting files with copyright and awaiting further FBI investigations.

My friend Lorne (Tompkins, guitar player for Unbidden) joked that he can't wait until the whole Internet is illegal.

Required Fields wrote:

A guy I know has this as his Facebook status:
- MegaUpload - Closed
- MediaFire - Called to testify in the next 90 days and due to be investigated by FBI
- FileServe - Closing within days
- FileJungle - Deleting files. All US servers locked
- UploadStation - Deleting files. All US servers locked
- FileSonic - Deleting files. All US servers locked
- Uploaded - Deleting files. All US servers locked
- FilePost - Deleting all material within days
- 4shared - Deleting files with copyright and awaiting further FBI investigations.

My friend Lorne (Tompkins, guitar player for Unbidden) joked that he can't wait until the whole Internet is illegal.

doesnt make much sense to me if these places keep copyrighted material out as they claim although it does kinda remind me of Col. North shredding papers as the authorities converge...

This guy was also one of the best Call of Duty players in the world. Shocking based on the picture (sarcasm insert).


http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/imprisoned-megaupload-founder-loses-call-duty-crown-205144239.html

One of the comments under the article: "He should have strove to be #1 at Wii Fit"

Joe wrote:

One of the comments under the article: "He should have strove to be #1 at Wii Fit"

those are some of the funniest yahoo comments ever

Saw this online, thought it was interesting:

Quote :

MegaUpload.com – Closed.

4shared.com – Deleting files with copyright and waits in line at the FBI.
Crocko.com – Called to testify in the next 90 days and it will open doors. Pro FBI.
EnterUpload.com – Down.
FileJungle.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting multiple files. Banning Accounts. Locked in the U.S.
FilePost.com – Affiliate program was closed. Banning Accounts. Deleting all material.
FileServe.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting multiple files. Banning Accounts.
FileSonic.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting multiple files. Banning Accounts. Under FBI invstg.
Hotfile.com – Affiliate program was closed.
MediaFire.com – Called to testify in the next 90 days and it will open doors. Pro FBI.
MegaShare.com – Affiliate program was closed.
Netload.in – Affiliate program was closed.
Oron.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting multiple files. Banning Accounts.
UploadBox.com – Closing. All files will be deleted on January 30th.
Uploaded.to – Not available in U.S. Available in other countries.
Uploading.com – Affiliate program was closed.
UploadStation.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting files. Banning Accounts. Locked in the U.S.
VideoBB.com – Affiliate program was closed. Will disappear soon.
Videoz.com – Closed and locked in the countries affiliated with the USA.
Wupload.com – Closed affiliate program before Megaupload fiasco citing financial reasons.
x7.to – Closing.

This was on http://angrierchairs.blogspot.com. I found this note hilarious:

Quote :

Mediafire just pulled every link offline. No warning, No email, No breach of service message. Just gone.

With that being said all 2000+ of my posts are now dead. If we travel back a year or more then there might be some rapidshare posts left but really whats the point.

I re-built the chairs after google took it down, I had my links, it wasn't too hard but now completely starting from scratch re-uploading everything to a file host which will probably do the same....

The chairs are mighty angry this time around and though we all know what I was sharing was wrong their were terms of services and acts that limited the trouble I could get into. I followed the grey area rules but with SOPA, PIPA, ACTA there seems to be zero rules anymore.

Will this stop me from downloading? Smurf no it wont. I now vow to never help this industry out again, Ill send my money straight to the artists no fuckin middle men and I hope you all do as well.

Now before every site goes down excuse me as I download the entire internet.

Waaaaaaaah! I find it amazing how offended these clowns are getting. What they're doing has ruined an industry and screwed over countless artists, yet they are angry? Pffft!

Eyesore wrote:

Saw this online, thought it was interesting:

Quote :

MegaUpload.com – Closed.

4shared.com – Deleting files with copyright and waits in line at the FBI.
Crocko.com – Called to testify in the next 90 days and it will open doors. Pro FBI.
EnterUpload.com – Down.
FileJungle.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting multiple files. Banning Accounts. Locked in the U.S.
FilePost.com – Affiliate program was closed. Banning Accounts. Deleting all material.
FileServe.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting multiple files. Banning Accounts.
FileSonic.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting multiple files. Banning Accounts. Under FBI invstg.
Hotfile.com – Affiliate program was closed.
MediaFire.com – Called to testify in the next 90 days and it will open doors. Pro FBI.
MegaShare.com – Affiliate program was closed.
Netload.in – Affiliate program was closed.
Oron.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting multiple files. Banning Accounts.
UploadBox.com – Closing. All files will be deleted on January 30th.
Uploaded.to – Not available in U.S. Available in other countries.
Uploading.com – Affiliate program was closed.
UploadStation.com – Affiliate program was closed. Deleting files. Banning Accounts. Locked in the U.S.
VideoBB.com – Affiliate program was closed. Will disappear soon.
Videoz.com – Closed and locked in the countries affiliated with the USA.
Wupload.com – Closed affiliate program before Megaupload fiasco citing financial reasons.
x7.to – Closing.

This was on http://angrierchairs.blogspot.com. I found this note hilarious:

Quote :

Mediafire just pulled every link offline. No warning, No email, No breach of service message. Just gone.

With that being said all 2000+ of my posts are now dead. If we travel back a year or more then there might be some rapidshare posts left but really whats the point.

I re-built the chairs after google took it down, I had my links, it wasn't too hard but now completely starting from scratch re-uploading everything to a file host which will probably do the same....

The chairs are mighty angry this time around and though we all know what I was sharing was wrong their were terms of services and acts that limited the trouble I could get into. I followed the grey area rules but with SOPA, PIPA, ACTA there seems to be zero rules anymore.

Will this stop me from downloading? Smurf no it wont. I now vow to never help this industry out again, Ill send my money straight to the artists no fuckin middle men and I hope you all do as well.

Now before every site goes down excuse me as I download the entire internet.

Waaaaaaaah! I find it amazing how offended these clowns are getting. What they're doing has ruined an industry and screwed over countless artists, yet they are angry? Pffft!

Found this funny and so damn true:

True, but entirely different than downloading.

Eyesore wrote:

True, but entirely different than downloading.

That really wasn't the point of the video, even though downloading was mentioned. Different industry, of course.

This isn't about illegal downloading. That's the "cover story". It's all about control of the internet.

to be honest, if the sites had nothing to hide then they would not have shut down.

exact33 wrote:

to be honest, if the sites had nothing to hide then they would not have shut down.

yes, just like youtube has never deleted/banned videos, such as ones they deem "hateful" because they criticize the gov't in Washington/ Obama

mlotek wrote:

exact33 wrote:

to be honest, if the sites had nothing to hide then they would not have shut down.

yes, just like youtube has never deleted/banned videos, such as ones they deem "hateful" because they criticize the gov't in Washington/ Obama

seriously? I am not a fan of the Obama government at all but I think this idea that Megaupload was a victim is a crock. This isnt the government going around just shutting down sites because they dont like them. Megaupload got caught red-handed with not only first hand knowledge that they were harboring illegal material but were also complicit in distributing it. Their employees were bragging about how they made copyrighted material available and no one could stop them. They had no safe harbor under the DMCA and they got shut down because they were dumb business people.

People treat the shut down of megaupload as some massive knock against free speech and how the government is taking over. If people were to actually read the facts of the case, they would learn that it was an action at the request of a copyright holder to enforce their rightful claim of ownership over materials protected. If you are engaging in something illegal then you deserve to be caught and prosecuted. The other services took notice of the enforcement, knew they too had their hands in the cookie jar, and closed up shop.

Just in case some of you didn't see this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46190158/ns/technology_and_science-security/#.TycVCoGR79o

I do agree users should be able to get their data.

When I was stationed in Korea, we used to upload out pics to this Kodak site. It was like Photobucket. We had thousands of pics uploaded there. Then, one day, the mother goose just shut it down. We lost everything. =(