Do copyrighted files ever get deleted from newsgroups servers ?

Hi

I'm new to newsgroups and I'm surprised to see some blockbusters movies that have been uploaded 2 years ago still being online. For example Toy Story 3 have been uploaded hundreds of times more than a year ago, and the files are still there !

So I'm wondering if files ever get taken down, and if not then why not ? Most websites answer complaints from copyright holders by removing the files, don't newsgroupds providers do the same ?

(Not that I want them to delete the files, I'm just curious :whistling )


Thanks !

Yes they do, on providers like Giganews, Newsdemon, Newshsoing etc....if they get a DMCA...but not usually on Astraweb if your using any other provider, try downloading some older HBO/Showtime shows.

It's hit and miss. Some companies scour usenet for files. Others don't even know about usenet. Also, the smaller, lesser known, and foreign-based providers mostly fly under the Copyright Cop's radar. As long as you avoid Giganews and Highwinds resellers (or supplement with a non-GN/HW block account) you should be OK.

It seemed that until about 2006 or 2007, practically nothing was ever removed (nor were fake files posted) on usenet, so that's the downside of mainstream popularity.

If its fairly popular it'll still be there. If its underground splatter porn or something *exotic*, it might not be. Start with NZBmatrix and then move onto a general free index. Dig around and you should find what you are looking for. There are some things that are not available or in limited quantities (some music artists etc). You should have no problem finding HBO's stuff on Astraweb (yes, avoid Highwind's resellers) and possibly a block account.