DeathKnell
Member
Back in the mid 2000s, the major concern of Internet users was the RIAA. But those days are long gone. The only thing that remains is the massive file-sharing community and the patchwork of networks that supports it. Within this realm, and perhaps even outside of it, are those who are being targeted by the US Copyright Group - a group of lawyers representing several independent film makers targeting alleged P2P butt pirates.
No one knows for sure how many people out of the 5,000+ individuals currently being sued are actually liable for copyright infringement or not. All too often we hear cases of people with open WIFI connections being accused of sharing works that would be totally out of character for the alleged infringer (for example, senior citizens accused of sharing gangsta rap or death metal - not that it doesn't happen).
In any event, the fact remains that generally well-intentioned individuals whose goal in life is not massive copyright infringement are often times caught up in the legal process. The laws that protect copyright, and the penalties associated, were never designed to prosecute the small time citizen. But that doesn't mean the end user can't be sued and threatened for $150,000 by the US Copyright Group. It's that type of intimidation the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) is looking to confront.
The EFF has been intimately involved in the ongoing BitTorrent lawsuits. In particular, the EFF filed an Amici brief (friend of the court) on the issue of joinder (combining thousands of lawsuits into one). Although the effort to disperse these lawsuits into separate cases was denied, their efforts have bore fruit, as the judge overseeing the cases ordered all sides to work together and draft suitable letter that will inform the accused of their rights.
Today, the EFF is providing an updated and very comprehensive USCG vs The People guide for those accused of copyright infringement.
"The people targeted in these mass lawsuits need good information about this situation and their options," said EFF Senior Staff Attorney Corynne McSherry. "USCG vs. the People provides answers to the many of the questions faced by anyone who learns their identity is being sought in connection with USCG's campaign or receives an intimidating letter from USCG. It also includes a list of attorneys who are interested in assisting."
Be sure to check out the EFF's expanded resource, whether for your own edification or if you're a recipient of the USCG's monetary demand.
Source: Slyck
No one knows for sure how many people out of the 5,000+ individuals currently being sued are actually liable for copyright infringement or not. All too often we hear cases of people with open WIFI connections being accused of sharing works that would be totally out of character for the alleged infringer (for example, senior citizens accused of sharing gangsta rap or death metal - not that it doesn't happen).
In any event, the fact remains that generally well-intentioned individuals whose goal in life is not massive copyright infringement are often times caught up in the legal process. The laws that protect copyright, and the penalties associated, were never designed to prosecute the small time citizen. But that doesn't mean the end user can't be sued and threatened for $150,000 by the US Copyright Group. It's that type of intimidation the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) is looking to confront.
The EFF has been intimately involved in the ongoing BitTorrent lawsuits. In particular, the EFF filed an Amici brief (friend of the court) on the issue of joinder (combining thousands of lawsuits into one). Although the effort to disperse these lawsuits into separate cases was denied, their efforts have bore fruit, as the judge overseeing the cases ordered all sides to work together and draft suitable letter that will inform the accused of their rights.
Today, the EFF is providing an updated and very comprehensive USCG vs The People guide for those accused of copyright infringement.
"The people targeted in these mass lawsuits need good information about this situation and their options," said EFF Senior Staff Attorney Corynne McSherry. "USCG vs. the People provides answers to the many of the questions faced by anyone who learns their identity is being sought in connection with USCG's campaign or receives an intimidating letter from USCG. It also includes a list of attorneys who are interested in assisting."
Be sure to check out the EFF's expanded resource, whether for your own edification or if you're a recipient of the USCG's monetary demand.
Source: Slyck