Software Pirates Could Get Up to 10 Years In Prison
So listen to this, casual users of copied software: If you get caught violating U.S. copyright laws, by, say, copying and distributing songs and movies illegally, you could face up to 10 years in prison and pay a cool half-million dollar fine. Sounds frightening, right? Well, not to a some politicians who are supporting the "Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007." The bill calls for increased penalties and the creation of specific offices to track down and combat piracy.
To anyone who either follows U.S. politics or the copyright wars of late, it should come as no surprise who is really behind this bill. Its primary political supporters have received plenty of campaign donations from both the MPAA (the movie industry association) and the RIAA (the music industry association). The always-on-the-offensive RIAA recently won a $220,000 settlement from Jammie Thomas, who was found guilty of sharing a whole 24 songs online. Many considered that sum to be outrageous, but this new bill could make penalties and fines even harsher and higher.
Still downloading tunes illegally? If so, you might want to think twice before you do it again.
From TorrentFreak
Related Links:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mik @ Dec 7th 2007 11:19AM
oh......and the world will be such a better place by locking up these 14 year olds for ten years.
Cindi @ Dec 7th 2007 2:12PM
Well what else is new with Washington, D.C. Our politicians in Washington are like whores, they are bought and paid for by the big corporations that run this country, Folks, WE the People are getting nothing from Washington, D.C. but the shaft.
Neonie @ Dec 7th 2007 6:32PM
Once you go hack you never go back.
But seriously, screw copy right laws man. These idiots need to learn that, just like mangas in japan, by letting people watch and listen to things they wouldent normally listen to, their actully opening up and bringing more people into their audience, and gaining new fans becuase of people who wouldent or normally watched/listend to their stuff.
And it's likely that no matter how many laws they pass, they'll never stop many people from downloading and uploading things. It's become to common place, and for some, it's the ONLY way to get some things. Not everyone is rich enough to buy EVERY SINGLE THING they like.
Neil @ Feb 1st 2008 2:00PM
whatever eventually their will be so many laws only a bullet will have the final say.
BOB shaget @ Feb 6th 2008 2:52PM
i'll admit it yea i may have downloaded and uploaded family guy episodes. but i'm 13 i realy don't freakin care does that mean my mom & dad are gonna pay 500 grand (like they need another reason to gett pissed at me) and i'll spend 10 years in juvie. NO, because most people just care about the economy(big word for a 13 year old HUH!) BUT THE BIG PIRATES ARE NOT YAKUZZA & TRIADS and teenagers. The real pira are iTUNES napster, and RHAPSODY
they are the ones that put up movies,music and music videos for sale. Last time i checked it was ILLEGAL to make any money off of copyrighted material and some record companies have and are going out of business because of i-tunes & friends
vince @ Feb 26th 2008 10:26PM
I think is a good idea . Anyway how much cost to put someone 10 yrs in jail for a $ 10 C.D.? It's just brillant .