Megaupload down, 7 charged with online piracy

[bishbash]

It looks like megaupload has been taken down by the FBI, with 7 arrests, it also turns out that Swiss Beatz (yes, pistonhead's favorite Lotus Brand Ambassador) is named as the CEO of the site, allthough I'm uncertain if he is one of the people arrested.

Looks like SOPA isn't really needed anyway.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB100014240529...

http://www.factmag.com/2012/01/19/swizz-beats-is-t...

[Oakey]

I thougth one of the owners was the guy who won a few of the Gumball's? The German IT dude (Kimbell?)

[roachcoach]

As I mentioned in another thread, I'll be watching this with GREAT interest...

[Oakey]

Article said:

The four were arrested in New Zealand. Federal agents and other law enforcement agencies simultaneously moved to search bank records and server farms in multiple locations around the globe, authorities said. The charges include conspiracy to commit racketeering and criminal copyright infringement

Ho hum.

[roachcoach]

Like I say, very I interesting. Afaik they operated in the same way as rapidshare who have been hauled to court time and again and won every time.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Seriously how fking inept can the music and video industry and the us gov be!!!

They're really going to open up a HUGE can of worms if they keep this st up. You are going to have hackers ripping the st out of all their websites servers etc. At the moment all hackers tend to do is get in and shut them down.

I have wondered for years who the idiots are leading these media corps that they cant seem to grasp the simplest of things and keep up with the times.

[hornet]

Tallbut Buxomly said:

They're really going to open up a HUGE can of worms if they keep this st up. You are going to have hackers ripping the st out of all their websites servers etc. At the moment all hackers tend to do is get in and shut them down.

Already doing it by the looks of it!

http://rt.com/usa/news/anonymous-doj-universal-sop...

[Funk]

This is a disaster for all the sites that used MegaUpload for legitimate reasons. Thousands of blogs have just lost years' worth of linked files, sites I use for Android ROMs and such are linking to nothing.

It's the thin end of the wedge, and the collateral damage will be hugely destructive.

[Silent1]

Old PHers will remember our run in with that German tt known as kimble/Kim Schmitz/Kim dotcom

[omgus]

Silent1, I don't suppose you are causing any trouble with US websites are you?

With the limited access I can't get to the Internet on my phone I am being kept highly amused. Especially the lose of downforjustme.

[Mannginger]

Silent1 said:

Old PHers will remember our run in with that German tt known as kimble/Kim Schmitz/Kim dotcom

Indeed!

[jonnydrama]

America are playing a dangerous game, if they keep this up I can see a hacker getting hold of sensitive documents and publishing them online.

[snotrag]

As above, they've started. FBI.gov, the BMI record label site, amongst others all vanished within hours of this news.

It's like Christmas for hackers.

[cal216610]

Been reading at what the hackers are shutting down and wondering if they read the script for die hard 4.

[Kermit power]

Tallbut Buxomly said:

Seriously how fking inept can the music and video industry and the us gov be!!!

They're really going to open up a HUGE can of worms if they keep this st up. You are going to have hackers ripping the st out of all their websites servers etc. At the moment all hackers tend to do is get in and shut them down.

I have wondered for years who the idiots are leading these media corps that they cant seem to grasp the simplest of things and keep up with the times.

So basically what you're saying is "they shouldn't try and stop crime, because the criminals might be nasty to them". Interesting approach there!

Does that mean the authorities shouldn't prosecute murderers in case the murderer tries to off the judge in court?

There's plenty of legal sources for streamed and downloaded media, and no excuse for illegal downloading any more than there is for any other crime.

[ramz]

I seriously doubt that hackers taking down government, music and film industry websites for a few hours (minutes?) will make them think twice about shutting down websites that cost them billions of dollars/euros/pounds in revenue every year.

[JagLover]

jonnydrama said:

America are playing a dangerous game, if they keep this up I can see a hacker getting hold of sensitive documents and publishing them online.

So they should ignore copyright theft because some hackers might get mad at them?

What was that phrase about not giving in to terrorism again.

Much as it might pain people to hear it, it is not a basic human right to steal films & music.

Edited by JagLover on Friday 20th January 13:19

[roachcoach]

Kermit power said:

There's plenty of legal sources for streamed and downloaded media, and no excuse for illegal downloading any more than there is for any other crime.

I assume you're not an anime fan then?

Or ever had a problem with media?

I give you:

---

IMO, the product released by dubious groups currently exceeds the quality of the legitimate goods. That should never be allowed to happen.

Furthermore, the fact that sites like these file lockers prosper demonstrate that people will pay for the content in the form they want it.


The market is there, the consumer will is there right now the suppliers are dropping the ball big time and litigating instead of innovating.

Now, I admit, they're slowly getting it, but too little and [arguably] too late. Instead of driving forward, they're now swimming against the tide. But then, these industries have opposed technology at every new development, finally give in and make massive profits from it in the end....so this should not be a surprise.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"

These fools must think they're in Groundhog Day.

[andy_s]

Wonder why SOPA is needed if they can do this anyway...


I've little sympathy for MU, but they've always sought dialogue with the mainstream regarding their distribution system - as the saying goes, if you can't beat 'em...

[miniman]

Silent1 said:

Old PHers will remember our run in with that German tt known as kimble/Kim Schmitz/Kim dotcom

What a delightful specimen.