Copyright, bittorrent and the rest…
As a file hosting and distribution platform, we are on constant copyright and x-rated content alert. We believe in the rights of the producers and owners of artwork, documents or software.
If you take a good look around and read how (for example) BitTorrent is promoting their software, you could think, that sharing files is a case of philosophy. Well, let me quote:
“You have something terrific to publish — a large music or video file, software, a game or anything else that many people would like to have. But the more popular your file becomes, the more you are punished by soaring bandwidth costs. If your file becomes phenomenally successful and a flash crowd of hundreds or thousands try to get it at once, your server simply crashes and no one gets it.”
Great and the software is indeed fantastic.
But that “free speech” is regulated by law as well is not mentioned. Sure, you have the right to speak freely, but you do not have the right to insult or to lie! How do you present yourself, when 90% of your software users are sharing illegal files?
File sharing software is a powerful weapon and if you live in the states, you can go and buy yourself a gun. Walking down the street and shooting people down on the other side is quite forbidden and maybe it is not a bad idea to regulate the usage of file sharing software the same way, guns are regulated?
Do get me right please, I am not against file sharing, but as a software developer and artist I am against copyright violations!
Related stories:
First user convicted: file sharing case!
Bittorrent for dummies book review: by Alice Hill
Folks, use this weapon with care!
