filesharing posts

Music Pirates Spend More on Tunes Than Non-Pirates, Finds Poll

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Nov 3rd 2009 at 7:28AM

In their never-ending game of finger pointing, music executives have blamed everyone and everything under the sun for the industry's woes. But after learning about a new study from the U.K., the suits might have one less scapegoat, and a little more cause for concern.

According to the Independent, a new poll commissioned by Demos, a U.K. think tank, found that people who admit to illegally downloading music on the Internet (10-percent of respondents) actually spend more money on music than their non-pirating counterparts. On average, one of these pirates spends about $126 a year on music, while the average respondent who said they don't pirate only spends around $54.

Tags: business, download, filesharing, government, illegal, internet, music, piracy, riaa, top, web

Web

U.K. Considers Kicking File Sharers Offline

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Aug 26th 2009 at 4:13PM

A new government proposal, together with recent actions taken by Apple, could greatly restrict and hamper the Web activities of many British residents. The U.K. government is reportedly targeting illegal file sharing on peer-to-peer sites like LimeWire. The government crackdown involves a plan to implement several restrictions against repeat offenders who illegally download protected material like music and movies. The measures would restrict the pirates by "blocking access to download sites, reducing broadband speeds or by temporarily suspending an individual's Internet account," according to Reuters.

The Register is reporting that Apple (shocker) is also telling British consumers what they can and cannot do on the Net, specifically with Apple software. The Apple controversy stems from Value Added Tax (VAT), a luxury tax whose particular rates vary across Europe. Since businesses are eligible to reclaim the VAT (and Apple apparently doesn't want to pay it), the Cupertino company has decided that the 78 pages of apps in its iTunes 'Business' section are in fact not for business, professional, or commercial use, but are really only for "personal, non-commercial use." In that case, you may want to rethink the title of the 'Business' section, Apple.

Tags: app store, apple, AppStore, file sharing, FileSharing, iphone, itunes business, ItunesBusiness, p2p, peer to peer, PeerToPeer, top

Computers, Web

French Hackers Give the Finger to President Sarkozy's Internet Bill

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Jul 10th 2009 at 4:10PM

In an effort to expose flaws in a controversial bill, a group of French hackers recently stuck it to the man with some new software. The man, President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, can't be too happy about it either.

The 'HADOPI Router,' named as a snarky tribute to Sarkozy's law, allows its creators to access and use password-protected Wi-Fi networks by hijacking a router without the account holder having any clue, according to BoingBoing. The goal is to prove that Sarkozy's Hadopi agency, which uses network forensics to track down illegal file-sharers, is unreliable and fairly ridiculous. The bill allows courts to take action against parents who might not even have shared files, but are deemed 'negligent' because they pay the ISP bill that was illegally used, according to TorrentFreak. To highlight this, the hackers found a way to make a router send traffic through a random variety of networks in a neighborhood, creating a number of muddy and false trails that would be nearly impossible to accurately trace.

Basically, the hackers are trying to tell the French government what many folks already know: It's difficult to identify a person based solely on an IP address. Correctly identifying someone is important, too, especially in court. But since Sarkozy's bill only allows five-minutes for the judge to rule on a case, this attempt at 'digital justice' will most likely fall on deaf ears. [From: BoingBoing and TorrentFreak]

Tags: filesharing, france, hack, isp, law, nicolas sarkozy, NicolasSarkozy, piracy, top, wifi

Audio/Video, Web

Indie Folksters Fleet Foxes Thank Filesharing for Success

by Leila Brillson (RSS feed) — Jun 16th 2009 at 12:40PM

No amount of marketing genius or label support has helped Fleet Foxes, says Robin Pecknold, lead singer of the indie-pop band. Instead, he thanks the Internet, which allowed thousands of fans to share 'Fleet Foxes,' the band's wildly critically acclaimed self-titled 2008 album. According to TorrentFreak, Pecknold admitted to the BBC, "I've downloaded hundreds and hundreds of records - why would I care if somebody downloads ours?"

Pecknold, aged 23, found his tastes and sound changing when he was exposed to filesharing, which allowed him to 'steal' most of the music that influences him. "I've discovered so much through that medium," he told the BBC. The singer added. "That will be true of any artist my age."

Of course, recording labels may disagree, but the fact is that more and more artists are realizing that torrents and filesharing (get with it, Metallica) mean more fans, more exposure, and possibly more success -- and that the music industry has changed for good. [From: BBC News and TorrentFreak]

Tags: file sharing, FileSharing, fleet foxes, FleetFoxes, music, music industry, MusicIndustry, top, torrent

RIAA Once Again Suing File-Sharers

by Chad Mumm (RSS feed) — May 8th 2009 at 8:27AM

Despite the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) promise to Congress in August 2008 that it would not start any new file-sharing lawsuits, the music industry lobby filed at least three new cases in April.

It's not really a good idea to lie to Congress, so the RIAA is claiming that these new cases are actually settlements of existing cases. Basically, the RIAA has a number of extant John Doe lawsuits that are awaiting identification information subpoenaed from Internet Service Providers. When the info comes in, the RIAA then files a new named lawsuit against the offender. What's so baffling is why the RIAA is choosing to pursue these cases, especially after its public announcement that it is ditching individual suits and moving towards a "three strikes and you're off the Internet" policy.

To us, this is a bonehead move, since the RIAA needs Congress on its side to force Internet providers to cut off paying customers... the RIAA should be making nice with America, not enraging us with more frivolous and hypocritical lawsuits. [From: Ars Technica]

Tags: business, copyright, file-sharing, filesharing, lawsuit, lawsuits, music, music industry, MusicIndustry, riaa, top

Audio/Video, Web

Music Pirates More Likely to Buy Music, Study Says

by Peter Mychalcewycz (RSS feed) — Apr 22nd 2009 at 7:47PM

In a twist on conventional logic, a new study reported in the Guardian has found that piracy, so often blamed for the continual downturn in music sales, may actually be sustaining the industry.

The surprising report, from the BI Norwegian School of Management, was based on a study of approximately 2,000 online music listeners over the age of 15. Researchers discovered that the people who admitted to downloading free music (legally or illegaly) were actually 10 times more likely than their law-abiding peers to pay good money for downloadable music. For the sake of accuracy, all of those who claimed to have bought music were required to present proofs of purchase. According to the Guardian, these figures -- if accurate -- identify pirates as the largest segment of online music consumers.

We aren't mathematicians, but it would seem that these so-called "pirates" are the ones putting the most "booty" in the music industry's coffers. The gray area in this never-ending dispute just got a little broader. [From: Guardian.co.uk]

Tags: file sharing, FileSharing, music, music industry, MusicIndustry, piracy, top

Computers, Laptops, desktops, Tech Tips

Virus Tip: How to Disable Print and File Sharing in Windows XP

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Feb 20th 2009 at 3:06PM

One of the first things you should do if you think you have a virus is to quarantine your PC and disconnect from your home network to prevent the infection from spreading to other computers in your home. You don't want to disconnect from the Internet entirely however or you won't be able to download updates for your anti-virus software. Doing this on a Mac (in Preferences: Sharing) or in Vista (go to the Network and Sharing Center) is (relatively) straightforward, but under XP it takes a little maneuvering. Here's how to do it:

Disable File and Print Sharing:

Right click on the network icon in the system tray and choose "Open Network Connections"
Right click on "Local Area Connection" and select "Properties"
Under the "General" tab uncheck "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks"

Disable Network Discovery and Simple Sharing:

Open "MyComputer"
Click on the "Tools" menu and open "Folder Options"
Under the "View" tab uncheck "Automatically search for network folders and printers" as well as "Use simple file sharing"

This isn't a perfect solution, but it will put up an additional road block between your computers and the nasty virus you've picked up.

Tags: file sharing, FileSharing, network, networking, sharing, techtip, techtips, windows, windows xp, WindowsXp, xp

Audio/Video, Computers

Bono to Blame for Illegal Leak of Four Tracks From New U2 Album

by Tim Stevens (RSS feed) — Aug 18th 2008 at 1:28PM

Bono Fingered for Pre-Release Leak of Own Album

The recording industry absolutely loves to take people who share a few songs illegally with others and nail them to the wall. People like Jammie Thomas, who was fined $220,000 for sharing a whole 24 songs online. By that account, we reckon U2's famous front-man Bono may be getting a bill in the mail as it's just been revealed that he is the source for some sharing of a very different sort.

Four tracks from U2's upcoming album 'Sexy Boots' have appeared on Internet file sharing networks for download. According to reports, they were recorded directly from outside of Bono's French villa. Bono was apparently playing the tracks so loudly from his home stereo that a fan passing by was able to capture those four tracks just standing there.

Now, posting those tracks online is most certainly illegal, but if Bono were a little more sensitive to the ears of his neighbors, this wouldn't be a problem, would it?. [Source: TorrentFreak]

Tags: bono, crime, file sharing, FileSharing, music, piracy, U2

Audio/Video, Computers

Comcast Illegally Interfered With Web Traffic, Per FCC Ruling

by Peter Mychalcewycz (RSS feed) — Jul 31st 2008 at 7:33PM

Three out of five FCC commissioners agree! Comcast acted illegally when it disrupted the transfer of specific digital video files.

Basically, Comcast slowed the transmission of files being shared by BitTorrent users. They say it was necessary to provide sufficient bandwidth for other customers. Unfortunately for Comcast, public interest groups and BitTorrent weren't buying it. Neither did the FCC.

The process of regulating users of heavy bandwidth is common, with some providers of wireless broadband prohibiting peer-to-peer file sharing altogether. The issue here, though, is lack of disclosure. The government doesn't want companies arbitrarily targeting high volume users, or any users for that matter.

It is unlikely that Comcast will end up being fined for this transgression, but it should set a precedent for the next company that tries to be sneaky.

That would be just fine with us. [Source: Washington Post]

Tags: breaking news, BreakingNews, crime, file sharing, FileSharing

Computers, Celebrities

Supreme Court Justice Breyer's Personal Data Compromised

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jul 10th 2008 at 8:14AM

You may think that that only average citizens are susceptible to security breaches that result in identity theft, but you'd be wrong. The rich, famous and powerful can also fall victim to the technological plagues of the 21st century.

Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer's name, birth date, and Social Security number were compromised when an employee of Wagner Resource Group decided to install LimeWire, a peer-to-peer file sharing program, on his PC. The default settings of the program resulted in the sharing of sensitive company data that included the names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers of 2,000 of the firm's clients, which included Justice Breyer and a number of high-powered lawyers.

The breach went unnoticed for six months before a reader of the Washington Post's Security Fix blog found the information while searching LimeWire. Spokespeople for Justice Breyer have not acknowledged any negative consequences, though some of the company's other clients have reported fraudulent credit card charges and unexplainable cell phone bills.

The company has offered six months of free credit-report monitoring, but we're sure that is of little consolation to those whose personal data has been compromised. [Source: Washington Post]

Tags: file sharing, FileSharing, identity theft, IdentityTheft, Justice Breyer, JusticeBreyer, limewire, p2p, peer to peer, PeerToPeer, security, Stephen G. Breyer, StephenG.Breyer

Audio/Video, TV

New Fall TV Shows Already Leaked Online

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jun 27th 2008 at 8:23AM

Usually it's the RIAA that has to worry about advanced copies of albums leaking out. This year, TV stations have been hit hard by file sharers, who have managed to get their hands on a number of TV shows that aren't set to premier until this fall. Of course, the studios aren't happy about it, and some of the shows were never meant to see the light of day. Take, for instance, the ABC remake of 'Life on Mars,' a UK crime drama. The pilot was filmed in Los Angeles, but then scrapped and the entire production was moved and re-shot in New York. The L.A. version of the pilot still made its way online, however, to less than stellar reviews.

One thing the leak has done is confirm our assumption that there is nothing new coming down the pipe that we need to be planted in front of the TV for. Go take up Yoga, join a Muy Thai class, watch the leaves change color. Just please, please, please don't waste your autumn sitting in front of TNT's pun-tastically titled legal drama, 'Raising the Bar.' [Source: NewTeeVee]

Tags: crime, file sharing, FileSharing, leak, pilot

Computers

Apple's New Leopard Hits Illegal Download Sites

by Tim Stevens (RSS feed) — Oct 26th 2007 at 9:01AM

Apple's Leopard Hits Illegal Download Sites

After yesterday's (mostly) glowing reviews , it's no surprise that Mac fanatics want to get their hands on Leopard, the new Apple operating system (OS), as quickly as possible. It's also no surprise that anyone who wants a new OS this badly isn't necessarily inclined to pay for it. So, enter the Bit Torrents of the world, which are sites that enable peer-to-peer sharing of (not infrequently illegal) files. Wired's Threat Level blog found the torrent sites were humming last night with copies of Apple's latest Mac release.

Leopard hits Apple Stores today, but pre-release review copies went out weeks ago to the media and other places. Unlike its Microsoft Vista OS counterparts, Apple doesn't use any copy protection or lengthy serial numbers or anything to protect its pre-releases. It relies on trust, and, it's plain to see, perhaps this trust is unfounded, since thousands of copies of Leopard are being downloaded illegally even as you read this.

It's speculated that the majority of these downloaders are just looking to get their instant fix and will eventually go out and buy a legal copy of Leopard, but we wouldn't be surprised if, as the Mac OS becomes ever so slightly more mainstream, Apple doesn't start adopting Microsoft-like copy protection schemes.

From Threat Level

Related Links:

Tags: Apple, filesharing, Leopard, Mac, OS X, OsX, p2p

Audio/Video, Computers

Comcast Blocking Certain Types of Internet Traffic

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Oct 22nd 2007 at 4:44PM

From our 'so much for Net Neutrality' department comes a story from the Associated Press, which assigned a reporter to see if there was any validity to recent accusations that Comcast, the cable TV and Internet provider, is throttling and/or blocking file-sharing on its networks.

The AP turned to the Bible, which is public domain and legal to share. The tests were run from two different PCs in the Philadelphia and San Francisco areas. The reporter found that two out of three times, the peer-to-peer BitTorrent transfer was blocked completely. The third time the transfer only started after a 10-minute delay.

Control tests were run on other providers, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable, and no blockage or throttling was documented in those tests.

You can read more about exactly how Comcast blocked traffic on AP's more extensive story here, but suffice it to say that future blockage could be applied to more legit sites and services such as Joost, Skype, and online-video-rental-service Vudu.

This is exactly the sort of heavy handed tactic proponents of Net Neutrality have feared, and the widespread reporting may help bring the issue of Net Neutrality into the limelight.

From BetaNews and the AP

For further reading on Net Neutrality, visit these sites:

Computers

File-Sharing Legislation Targets Colleges

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jul 24th 2007 at 5:28PM

Senate majority leader Harry Reid is ruffling some feathers in higher education circles. He has proposed an amendment (PDF) to the Higher Education Act, which is up for reauthorization, that would place tougher standards on colleges for fighting illegal file sharing. The amendment would require that all colleges report their policies on illegal downloading, and how they are effectively implementing them.

The part that has universities most concerned is a requirement that they provide evidence to the Education department that they have a technology based system to prevent illegal file sharing at least in the development stages. Many experts question the effectiveness of such hardware or software based solutions for preventing file sharing. Universities also worry that such technology may prevent legitimate file sharing for educational purposes or of non-copyrighted material.

The measure would also call for the 25 colleges with the most copyright violation notices to be reported to the government. Many complain that this will unfairly single out larger colleges who will just by nature of scale receive more notices.

If you're bothered by Harry Reid's proposed amendment we suggest you write your senator and voice your opposition.

From Slashdot and Inside Higher Ed

Related Links:

Tags: college, file sharing, FileSharing, harry reid, HarryReid, higher education act, HigherEducationAct, law, p2p, peer to peer, PeerToPeer, politics, senate, university

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'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

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Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

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