I like to twist words a little to avoid confusion:
Filesharing is legal, breaking copyright is not.
In simple terms, one might say that sharing files on the internet is the same thing as broadcasting it (it's actually taking a step further, but lets keep it simple) - meaning that if it's reasonable to say that you're not allowed to broadcast it you're not allowed to share it on the internet in any way.
Having filesharing-applications illegal (the way some companies and politicians want) makes no sence. You can't make sharing data illegal, it would make this forum illegal, as well as any internet-/network-related activity. However, you can make it illegal to give away or sell copies of copyrighted work, such as today.
The problem here is that it's nearly impossible to prevent this from happening, and trace everyone who does it. You're pretty safe when sharing or downloading pirated (illegally obtained, altered and/or shared) data today, wether it be sowftware, music or movies. Even in the US.
The business needs to protect itself against this culture. Enter the people responsible for the medium for this activity.
Here we enter a gray area:
They aren't actually doing anything wrong, they just provide a way for people to share data. However, they are knowingly providing a way to perform illegal activities.
I myself have a hard time deciding what rules should apply in such a case. I'm tempted to point out similarities to 'real life' scenarios, but I can't. Because it doesn't compare. The internet (and similarily other large networks) gives possibilites that can't be reproduced elsewhere.
In Norway I can copy a CD and give it to my friend as a gift. I can give a copy to my whole family and every friend I have, in fact. From there, I'll slowly be passing a huge grey line between gifts to close relations and breaking the law. Profiting in any way from this, however, makes it illegal (set aside the debate on wether you profit from giving a gift to a friend who in return gives you a gift later on). I can't sell copies, as I don't own the right to profit from copies of that work. To me, this sort of makes sense. Once I've bought a CD, it's mine to what I want, or just about so. There are a few obvious exceptions, such as selling copies (it's not mine to sell, it's just mine to use), claiming it's actually made by me or producing a nearly identical copy and selling that one as my own work.
I won't profit from sharing my stuff on the internet either (now enter the debate on wether I profit from sharing stuff for free to in return get loads of stuff for free in an organized manner) yet it makes more sense that this is illegal.
Cussing once in a restaurant may give me some raised eyebrows but constantly cussing nonstop will get me thrown out for sure - and this makes sense.
As of today (my opinion on the matter changes about as often as I change my socks, every two weeks that is :P ) I sort of feel that the authorities should have easier access to any listing of what is downloaded and from/by who. Now, this is a minefield of great proportions, with the big brother syndrome lurking dangerously close. I know. But seriously, one should not be able to hide completely on the net no matter what one does.
"Spying" on the internet is not the same as invading our private homes, the internet is public domain and public domain needs a little structure.
Wow, I just realized I've completely outgrown my rebellious years of fighting for internet anarchy. I think I need to lay down a little.
Filesharing is legal, breaking copyright is not.
In simple terms, one might say that sharing files on the internet is the same thing as broadcasting it (it's actually taking a step further, but lets keep it simple) - meaning that if it's reasonable to say that you're not allowed to broadcast it you're not allowed to share it on the internet in any way.
Having filesharing-applications illegal (the way some companies and politicians want) makes no sence. You can't make sharing data illegal, it would make this forum illegal, as well as any internet-/network-related activity. However, you can make it illegal to give away or sell copies of copyrighted work, such as today.
The problem here is that it's nearly impossible to prevent this from happening, and trace everyone who does it. You're pretty safe when sharing or downloading pirated (illegally obtained, altered and/or shared) data today, wether it be sowftware, music or movies. Even in the US.
The business needs to protect itself against this culture. Enter the people responsible for the medium for this activity.
Here we enter a gray area:
They aren't actually doing anything wrong, they just provide a way for people to share data. However, they are knowingly providing a way to perform illegal activities.
I myself have a hard time deciding what rules should apply in such a case. I'm tempted to point out similarities to 'real life' scenarios, but I can't. Because it doesn't compare. The internet (and similarily other large networks) gives possibilites that can't be reproduced elsewhere.
In Norway I can copy a CD and give it to my friend as a gift. I can give a copy to my whole family and every friend I have, in fact. From there, I'll slowly be passing a huge grey line between gifts to close relations and breaking the law. Profiting in any way from this, however, makes it illegal (set aside the debate on wether you profit from giving a gift to a friend who in return gives you a gift later on). I can't sell copies, as I don't own the right to profit from copies of that work. To me, this sort of makes sense. Once I've bought a CD, it's mine to what I want, or just about so. There are a few obvious exceptions, such as selling copies (it's not mine to sell, it's just mine to use), claiming it's actually made by me or producing a nearly identical copy and selling that one as my own work.
I won't profit from sharing my stuff on the internet either (now enter the debate on wether I profit from sharing stuff for free to in return get loads of stuff for free in an organized manner) yet it makes more sense that this is illegal.
Cussing once in a restaurant may give me some raised eyebrows but constantly cussing nonstop will get me thrown out for sure - and this makes sense.
As of today (my opinion on the matter changes about as often as I change my socks, every two weeks that is :P ) I sort of feel that the authorities should have easier access to any listing of what is downloaded and from/by who. Now, this is a minefield of great proportions, with the big brother syndrome lurking dangerously close. I know. But seriously, one should not be able to hide completely on the net no matter what one does.
"Spying" on the internet is not the same as invading our private homes, the internet is public domain and public domain needs a little structure.
Wow, I just realized I've completely outgrown my rebellious years of fighting for internet anarchy. I think I need to lay down a little.