FAST getting tough on software piracy

[Taz]

Several Internet service providers have been forced to reveal the personal details of alleged software pirates:

Full story here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4663388.stm

[Kezzer]

An undercover investigator working for Fast in a project codenamed Operation Tracker identified 150 people suspected of illegally sharing software.

Y'know, when it was people chasing people with guns and having bulletproof armor it was cool to name things "Operation <insert random word here>", but think about it.

"Commence Operation Tracker"
"What're you going to do?"
"Phone him and tell him he's been a naughty boy" or "Arrest him with prior warning"

It just doesn't seem all gravy anymore.

[dave87]

Thats great but wasn't the data protection act meant to limit the access to personally identifiable information? This sets a precendent that the government can and will force companies to pass on information - im guessing relating to the Personal details - linked with the IPs they have. I'm not supporting piracy, don't get me wrong, but I just have doubts about the lengths to which they will go to defend copyright.

Dave

[Kezzer]

I think it's justifiable

[Phil_2k5]

I hope i haven't

[herulach]

It is justifiable, but how do they know whos pirating software? and who is legitmately sharing linux isos and such, they cant hit everyone thats running ed2k/gnutella, and once they start packet sniffing id imagine theyd be on dubious grounds with regards to the wiretapping regs. And who the hell downloads software from anything other than bittorrent anyway?

[Kezzer]

Because most people constantly use the excuse "Oh I'm sharing Linux ISOs" when all they're doing is covering up their illegal file sharing. I doubt people would download ISOs 24/7, upload them for sharing maybe, but not downloading them all the time. It's an over-used excuse and I see it used all the time as an excuse for people to ask for help with bit torrent.

[herulach]

Because most people constantly use the excuse "Oh I'm sharing Linux ISOs" when all they're doing is covering up their illegal file sharing. I doubt people would download ISOs 24/7, upload them for sharing maybe, but not downloading them all the time. It's an over-used excuse and I see it used all the time as an excuse for people to ask for help with bit torrent.

Im not saying piracy is ok, you distinctly can justify someone arresting for it. My point was with the way they went about it. snooping traffic is of dubious legality as far as im aware. Connecting IPs to real names? WEll, id like to know what ISPs do it, but if they have a court order theres not a lot they can do anyway.

[Kezzer]

I think it's wrong yes, monitoring that kind of traffic is quite immense I must say. We'll see who gets sued soon enough I guess.

[Phil_2k5]

150 seems a small number though doesn't it,hardly anything

[vincent]

Maybe they should call a visit to Bowlers

dro pby with Bobbies ..... last time i went saw loads of copied Appz.....

Shame really - that they cant stop it- im sure some peeps will have Annonamous IP's and its even worse for AOL consumers reason why is that each time you start the net- your IP changes-because AOL have bought a certain Range of IPS to use- and it's liek about 1 billion+ different combinations.....

i only know this cos some chump started to hack me x clans Teamspeak server -tracked the IP- turned out to be someoen in Glasgow,Then 5 mins later turned otu to be Liverpool,then Swindon...

[Kezzer]

I think a lot of users are unaware that file sharing is illegal still. I know plenty of them who have no idea it's illegal (even though it's obvious, but the digital world is a different reality)

[javalord]

Maybe they should call a visit to Bowlers

dro pby with Bobbies ..... last time i went saw loads of copied Appz.....

Shame really - that they cant stop it- im sure some peeps will have Annonamous IP's and its even worse for AOL consumers reason why is that each time you start the net- your IP changes-because AOL have bought a certain Range of IPS to use- and it's liek about 1 billion+ different combinations.....

i only know this cos some chump started to hack me x clans Teamspeak server -tracked the IP- turned out to be someoen in Glasgow,Then 5 mins later turned otu to be Liverpool,then Swindon...

By design they audit trail logins to customer accounts.

[javalord]

I think a lot of users are unaware that file sharing is illegal still. I know plenty of them who have no idea it's illegal (even though it's obvious, but the digital world is a different reality)

Many are perfectly aware, they (users) just dont care.

And will the linux iso excuse finally die in a fire?

[TheAnimus]

so let me get this straight, 12 months, 150 people.

I after taking into account public holidays, and weekends etc, and assuming standard EU working week directive's prefered working hours:

It says team, assume a team of 3. that means you have to catch one person every 31.168831168831168831168831168831 working hours (approx)

I could deal with that workload
(just get one person, then not bother turning up for a couple of days)

But seriously, surely they just looked on like iMesh, for everyone in the UK RIPE designated IP block, who had certain known illegal files, look at what files they have, ranked them in seriousness. But only 150? Jinkies, i'd catch loads more!

[Kezzer]

And will the linux iso excuse finally die in a fire?

We can only hope.