The RIAA Attacks Usenet

[fstrulz]

Basking in glory after orchestrating a record punishment for a petty file-sharer in the US, the RIAA takes its legal campaign to the next level. Many may want newsgroups to stay under the radar but it's too late - major labels have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Usenet.com and it won't be going away.

In an ideal world, people would not talk about Usenet. In an ideal world there would be no such things as copyright infringement lawsuits. Sadly, we do not live in an ideal world.

Today we simply have to talk about Usenet and we have to talk about lawsuits.

Major record labels - Arista, Atlantic, BMG, Capitol, Caroline, Elektra, Interscope, LaFace, Maverick, Sony BMG, UMG, Virgin, Warner Bros. and Zomba have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Usenet.com.

According to Billboard, the complaint filed in the District Court in New York states that Usenet.com provides access to millions of copyright infringing files and, with a nod towards the Grokster Decision, apparently “touts its service as a haven for those seeking pirated content.”


Source: TorrentFreak

[garherd]

The newsgroups have always been the one save haven for downloading files. Now it appears that is seriously in jeapordy.

[Tokeman]

I think they will be fine. Their service is a far cry from p2p services that have been successfully sued. Plus, they have a LOT of money for defense. Also, the files are kept in binary, so arguably there are no files there, only a bunch of numbers.

Good luck with the lawsuit guys, you'll need it. At least you have a target to keep you busy while I enjoy torrenting and IRC.

[link2009]

Money money money, that's what BitTorrent trackers don't have. I want to see the RIAA or MPAA take down GigaNews...they could probably buy out every member of the association and still have money to run their services.

[lynx]

The argument that the files are kept in binary won't hold water, all files are binary on one form or another. Original copyrights didn't include phrases like "or other means electronic or mechanical" because those phrases would not have had any meaning. Try to argue that those old copyrights aren't enforceable and see where it gets you.

On the other hand, it may be difficult to pin any blame on Usenet since it doesn't actually keep records of what's on it's servers. What's more likely is that the RIAA/MPAA will try to make Usenet keep records of who uploaded what file (if they don't already, and I suspect they do to protect themselves from defamation lawsuits) and to release that information when required.

The result could be relatively easy identification of uploaders, making newsgroups a distinctly unsafe place for distribution.

[TheFoX]

Also, the files are kept in binary, so arguably there are no files there, only a bunch of numbers.

That is all any file is... The machine does not know the difference between any given file. They are all stored in binary. It is the application that determines whether it is a PDF or a bitmap or a wmp.

Files hosted by a newgroup server is no different from files hosted on a seedbox or on a topsite. The main difference is that topsite or seedboxes are usually loaded by the box owner, whereas newgroups allow their members to upload the files.

[mbucari1]

Money money money, that's what BitTorrent trackers don't have. I want to see the RIAA or MPAA take down GigaNews...they could probably buy out every member of the association and still have money to run their services.

was thinking the same thing, but their headquarters are in Texas so they're still under US law.

I'm gonna sign up with them very soon, so here's hoping!

[dasheeki]

yawn.

gl to those bitches trying to take on a beast like usenet. ill continue to enjoy usenet and you all should too

[Broken]

Usenet is not P2P. Usenet is the original internet and works very much like the internet everyone is familiar with.
This (suing usenet.com) is like the RIAA/MPAA trying to sue AOL because someone could use Yahoo to find copyrighted content on the "familiar internet".
The beloved DMCA provides safe harbor from these types of law suits against ISPs. LOL.
They don't have a leg to stand on.

They're getting desperate... grasping at straws.
They can't do shit about Usenet.

[mbucari1]

Usenet is not P2P. Usenet is the original internet and works very much like the internet everyone is familiar with.
This (suing usenet.com) is like the RIAA/MPAA trying to sue AOL because someone could use Yahoo to find copyrighted content on the "familiar internet".
The beloved DMCA provides safe harbor from these types of law suits against ISPs. LOL.
They don't have a leg to stand on.

They're getting desperate... grasping at straws.
They can't do shit about Usenet.

but what about the servers where said content is hosted. I agree that going after a provider will be fruitless, but the servers that host this shit have can be liable.