Fenxy

@Oli: I've read the article you link to.

Have you seen this one by the same author who points out that Sony BMG's chief anti-piracy lawyer says "Copying" music you own is "stealing"?

The lady confirmed she had music on her own machine which she paid for via online stores (iTunes, Wal-Mart, etc).

Also, check out this article from the EFF which is now standing behind her to help in her appeal.

I'm not saying she's totally innocent but how the jury came to the guilty verdict is what has me and others in a twist.

As I said a few comments ago, my main issue is how a precedent was set in proving liability.

The RIAA did not have to demonstrate that her computer had a file-sharing program installed at the time that they inspected her hard drive.

I know many people who have music on their machines that on the surface might seem like copyright infringement...

Anyway, I'll get the documents I have from the court scanned in the next day or two and send them over your way so you can read the stuff I've been reading which isn't online.

Reading more into other news stories on this, apparently her claim is that she personally paid for every bit of music on her machine and that other people downloaded her files from the shared folder without her knowledge... true or not... I still think she was railroaded... at least from the court transcripts I've seen and heard about.

This just goes back to my previous comment... people need to learn how to lock down their machines or if you plan on having music on a computer, make sure it's not connected to the internet.

@Ozone42:

If your computer is sharing copywrited files, you are liable. It doesn't matter what you are doing.

My 83 year old grandmothers computer when connected to the internet technically could be sharing files that could be copyrighted with others and not even know it.

I guess what needs to happen is better education on how to protect and lock down your computer.

Also, how to keep your personal and private files out of shared folders to avoid something like this, especially if you are on the up and up with your files.

The precedent set was in proving liability.

The RIAA did not have to demonstrate that her computer had a file-sharing program installed at the time that they inspected her hard drive.

The RIAA did not have to show that she was at the keyboard when RIAA investigators accessed her share folder.

That's huge and gives the RIAA way to much grey area to mess with people.

Sometimes people have folders set to shared and don't even know it. What if you purchase a computer used from someone?

The judge in the case also ruled that jurors may find copyright infringement liability against somebody solely for sharing files on the internet... copyrighted or not...

So basically my understanding is if anyone has files on a computer, always connected to the internet (which almost everyone does these days) and it's in a shared folder, if someone other then you can reach it and grab files, you could be hammered like her... that's the precedent set from this verdict.

So now I can't even share "legit files" with family or friends.

Maybe my understanding of what took place is wrong, but this is how I understand it.

Great conversation going on by the way... keep the thoughts coming...

P.S. The RIAA is in it for the money and not the justice. Why do I think this?

Because right after the verdict, RIAA attorney Richard Gabriel told reporters outside the courthouse "this is what can happen if you don’t settle."

Well Oli, if you were in the US verses the UK, you might think differently about this.

The laws in the US are really messed up and setting a precedent like this can only cause more harm then good in my opinion.

Taken from her blog/myspace:

"I know this topic is debatable. It has been debated time and time again. I can honestly say I do NOT advocate theft. I will also say that I have NEVER used a P2P software to download or upload music. That was reason number one why I refused to settle with the music labels that were suing me in the first place. I did not do what they had accused me of and I was not going to pay them for someone else's actions.

I will admit I have downloaded music, but through other sources including MySpace and Wal-Mart.com. The main place I learn of new music is from MySpace and Yahoo LauchCast. I have purchased a lot of mainstream music, which was actually evidenced in my case and I have also purchased a lot of music from bands that I was able to sample their songs from MySpace or Yahoo. Obviously, I enjoy music, but I pay for the music I own. I do not own any music that was downloaded from anywhere other than MySpace or Wal-Mart."

From what I know about the case, I agree that she got Railroaded.

Here's the thing... nailing consumers for piracy is no longer untested law: it’s now backed by precedent.

If she can get it overturned via appeal, then that would set another precedent to help others who might get caught up in something similar.

Here is a YouTube link to video footage from the building security camera. You see the guy walk in and then fast forward to about 6 minutes into the video and you see him walking out with the goods.

Dirty Sam Kidd

"You're the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean -- not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!"

I like turtles :)

@Andrew: "How dare they challenge me! How dare they smear Britney Spears... that animal..."

Hehe... Timothy Treadwell has to be the guy in the previous video.

We're all twisted... hehe... did you they're holding up the sheet?

Leave Britney Spears alone right now! hehe...

Check out my note about the break down of someone standing up for Britney's performance last night at the VMA's... too funny.

Britney's backup dancers did better then her. How sad.

Mine was Ima Driver.

She was selling a book on how to fight speeding tickets.

LOL!

You wouldn't shoot a policeman and then steal his helmet. You wouldn't go to the toilet in his helmet and then send it to the policemen's grieving widow and then steal it again!

I love British humor.

Japanese TV shows are so much more entertaining. We need shows like this here in the US.

A lot of mine have already been listed but here's a classic for you: Cloak & Dagger

If you in fact do marry this guy and have kids, you'd have little pink balls rolling around :)

*waits to get smacked by Tyme

Apparently the more I poke around on this site, it's actually a game... pretty cool.. and I just found that Chad has a MySpace page :)

http://www.myspace.com/supportmycircle

This is a pretty cool marketing idea from Alltel.

I've also posted a little more details on my site which you can get to via my 9rules profile page.

Only 3 caffeinated beverages? What sort of geek are you anyway? ;)

Get to drinking...

I thought so Abi... hehe... making me second guess too...

Do you have another answer for my riddle?

Thank you Abi

@joshawesome: How funny, I just posted that video in another note :)

*in shock*

Seriously avuee? James Bond as a TV and Movie character has been around for 35+ years...