file sharing

[julio]

does any one think we are at risk of being busted in the uk for file sharing,via programs like winmx ? i hear of some troubles in the U.S with similar matters

[g_shocker182]

What's yoru equivelent of our RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America)?

[julio]

ive absolutely no idea does any in the UK know?

[tgpo]

RIAUK

[BJ_M]

what is that knocking on your front door ?

[g_shocker182]

what is that knocking on your front door ?

...more like "bend up and turn around"....

[Ironballs]

Don't think there is a direct equivalent, my mate got busted by the Trading standards though. Which I think is wrong. Let me explain.

He WAS selling bootleg DVDs, but always explained to his friends/family they were copies not originals, so he wasn't lying to his 'customers'; they knew what they were getting. The reason why Trading Standards IMO, shouldn't have got involved is that the only party to suffer damages were the movie companies and I think that they should have sued my friend. Trading Standards seem to have become the 'pirate police'.

As it turned out, Trading Standards told him to stop and left it at that. I suspect it was because they don't have any real juristriction on this, but I could be wrong.

Does anyone have any views on this?

[rhegedus]

He WAS selling bootleg DVDs, but always explained to his friends/family they were copies not originals, so he wasn't lying to his 'customers'; they knew what they were getting. The reason why Trading Standards IMO, shouldn't have got involved is that the only party to suffer damages were the movie companies and I think that they should have sued my friend. Trading Standards seem to have become the 'pirate police'.

He was either reported by his friends/family or he was selling to more people than he has admitted to.

Either way, he was making a profit out of someone else's endeavors and that is WRONG.

[Ironballs]

I agree Rob, what he was doing was illegal for sure, he knows it himself. But I belive the wrong autorithies went after him. It should have been the movie studios that sued my friend. A bit like how the RIAA are suing individuals in the USA

[pacmania_2001]

It depends on your government agencies and what powers/roles they are given. I know nothing about the UK government so I'm not going to say anything more then that.

In Australia for example though anyone selling pirated movies will usually first recieve a cease and desist letter from the Australian Video and Film Securities office instead of directly from the movie studios.