Illegal links not allowed.

[dealforme]

We do allow discussions here about the software Bit Torrent and other P2P packages.

But torrent links and any other links to warez is not allowed here.

[bembem]

Originally posted by dealforme@Feb 13 2004, 08:44 AM
We do allow discussions here about the software Bit Torrent and other P2P packages.

But torrent links and any other links to warez is not allowed here.
Fair enough and end of discussion.

This is a private forum, and those are the rules :P

The opinion below is not directed at anyone. Just my opinion on the matter. Just healthy discussion.

OPTIONAL READING BELOW - JUST OPINIONS - DO NOT READ
Is it not hypocritical to ban Bit Torrent because it MAY contain some illegal software? It's great for dl'ing linux distros is it not?
Should you not ban the following:
MP3's : because most are illegal
ISO's : because most are illegal
google.com : because you can find illegal software / cracks
newsgroups : because it has porn and illegal software
the internet : because you can find kiddie porn and cracks
- - -
You can close your eyes -_- but it'll still be there when you open them.
This is almost like the CD/media levy that the government put on. Just cause the *media* can be used for illegal purposes, they chose to impose a fine/fee/levy for everyone. Everyone agrees that it is stupid, but yet it happens. Odd huh?
OPTIONAL READING ABOVE - JUST OPINIONS - DO NOT READ

[Carnage]

There's no problem discussing BT,etc.

But the site you linked to(which I won't mention) is one giant warehouse of pirated links.

Yeah, not everything on that site is illegal. But probably 90% of it is.

We can talk all we want about these programs. But it's not encouraged to post links directly to easy access sites for warez/pirated software,etc.

[Cough]

Half the avatars are probably illegal due to copyright infringement. .....

[Carnage]

Originally posted by Cough@Feb 13 2004, 01:29 PM
Half the avatars are probably illegal due to copyright infringement. .....
But there's a big difference between a copyrighted image, and downloading pirated movies/software.

The mods aren't trying to be jerks or anything. They're just covering their own tails. If they allowed those kind of links they could take flak for allowing it.

Plenty of sites have been taken down in the past for allowing links to pirate sites,etc.

[bembem]

Originally posted by Carnage+Feb 13 2004, 10:33 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Carnage @ Feb 13 2004, 10:33 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Cough@Feb 13 2004, 01:29 PM
Half the avatars are probably illegal due to copyright infringement. .....
But there's a big difference between a copyrighted image, and downloading pirated movies/software.

The mods aren't trying to be jerks or anything. They're just covering their own tails. If they allowed those kind of links they could take flak for allowing it.

Plenty of sites have been taken down in the past for allowing links to pirate sites,etc. [/b][/quote]
True... and fair enough.

But for most people, censorship is a bad thing ;)

[rilles]

I downloaded the latest version of Firefox(bird) via bit torrent, and many ISO are legal (Linux, memtest86..).

So then the question can be asked: is it allowed to post BT/edonkey links to freeware/free-to-download software? (long as it it legal to do so).

[Carnage]

Originally posted by rilles@Feb 13 2004, 02:11 PM
I downloaded the latest version of Firefox(bird) via bit torrent, and many ISO are legal (Linux, memtest86..).

So then the question can be asked: is it allowed to post BT/edonkey links to freeware/free-to-download software? (long as it it legal to do so).
I would assume that posting a BT link for somethign like Firefox or Linux would be fine.

It's only an issue when it's a link to a site which also has alot of pirated software.

It's kind of a grey area I guess. It's like a front to an organized crime ring or something. The business front might be legal, but combining it with the backend makes the whole package illegal. That's probably the best metaphor I can come up with.

[rilles]

Originally posted by Carnage+Feb 13 2004, 02:15 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Carnage @ Feb 13 2004, 02:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--rilles@Feb 13 2004, 02:11 PM
I downloaded the latest version of Firefox(bird) via bit torrent, and many ISO are legal (Linux, memtest86..).

So then the question can be asked: is it allowed to post BT/edonkey links to freeware/free-to-download software? (long as it it legal to do so).
I would assume that posting a BT link for somethign like Firefox or Linux would be fine.

It's only an issue when it's a link to a site which also has alot of pirated software.

It's kind of a grey area I guess. It's like a front to an organized crime ring or something. The business front might be legal, but combining it with the backend makes the whole package illegal. That's probably the best metaphor I can come up with. [/b][/quote]
But if a mod stated "posted a link to free/legal software is ok", it would clear that up.

Many things are knowingly/unknowingly a front to crime, just gotta keep an eye out to make sure the bad does not bubble up.

[dealforme]

Originally posted by rilles@Feb 13 2004, 02:16 PM
But if a mod stated "posted a link to free/legal software is ok", it would clear that up.

Many things are knowingly/unknowingly a front to crime, just gotta keep an eye out to make sure the bad does not bubble up.
I don't have a problem of free distros or legal software but unfortunately the sites that contain the link may also contain the illegal/warez links as well.

I'll leave it to you to use your best judgement but we're going to be looking at the link as well and removing if necessary.

[malaca]

This (http://www.google.com) site has the most links to pirated stuff in the world.

This (http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/piratesofthecaribbean/) is another popular pirate site.

Note: this is a JOKE, don't ban me yet. But remember behind most stories there's a bit of truth.

[GreenWeenie]

Originally posted by malaca@Mar 9 2004, 02:54 PM
This (http://www.google.com) site has the most links to pirated stuff in the world.

This (http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/piratesofthecaribbean/) is another popular pirate site.

Note: this is a JOKE, don't ban me yet.&nbsp; But remember behind most stories there's a bit of truth.
Even Google has to censor their results.

Do a google search on "Kazaa Lite" and then check out the message at the bottom of the results page.


In response to a complaint we received under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed 3 result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaint for these removed results.

http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512/not...gi?NoticeID=861 (http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512/notice.cgi?NoticeID=861)
Link to complaint google rec'd

[malaca]

Originally posted by GreenWeenie@Mar 9 2004, 03:11 PM
Even Google has to censor their results.*

Do a google search on "Kazaa Lite" and then check out the message at the bottom of the results page.


In response to a complaint we received under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed 3 result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaint for these removed results.

http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512/not...gi?NoticeID=861 (http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512/notice.cgi?NoticeID=861)

I guess we could send a letter to Google to remind them that the DMCA is an american law that applies only in the USA so they can leave google.ca alone.

If US law would apply here, then nobody would be able to travel to Cuba.

[Gordon]

lmao google.com is where everyone finds there warez and cracks and kiddy porn! O i also didnt mention GAMEs! ISO!

I bet you AT LEAST have a few burned games or software in your house so thats illegal!

[Vin Diesel]

Originally posted by GreenWeenie@Mar 9 2004, 03:11 PM
Even Google has to censor their results.

Do a google search on "Kazaa Lite" and then check out the message at the bottom of the results page.
If this is true then I have lost all my respect for Google, the internet should be a realm of TRUE free-speech and should not be tainted by politics, morals or bias. NOTE: I'm talking about a search engine like Google which we all depend from not RDF which is a private site.

[Carnage]

Originally posted by Vin Diesel@Apr 14 2004, 11:12 PM

If this is true then I have lost all my respect for Google, the internet should be a realm of TRUE free-speech and should not be tainted by politics, morals or bias. NOTE: I'm talking about a search engine like Google which we all depend from not RDF which is a private site.
It's not a matter of politics,morals or bias. It's a matter of law.

Google isn't imune from legal rulings, which that is a direct result of.

[afzan]

Originally posted by Vin Diesel@Apr 14 2004, 11:12 PM
If this is true then I have lost all my respect for Google, the internet should be a realm of TRUE free-speech and should not be tainted by politics, morals or bias. NOTE: I'm talking about a search engine like Google which we all depend from not RDF which is a private site.
What's the difference between Google and RFD? they are both privately owned, and they can operate however they see fit..

RFD removes links that have other people's affiliate links in them, and gets to choose what makes it to the front deals page.
Google similarly chooses what they are going to display.

[bdckr]

What's the difference between Google and RFD? they are both privately owned, and they can operate however they see fit..

RFD removes links that have other people's affiliate links in them, and gets to choose what makes it to the front deals page.
Google similarly chooses what they are going to display.

Well put. "Losing all respect" for google is a lot different from deciding that google is not the most useful search engine for your needs. They are still a private company that offers a service. And they don't want to be sued. Removing some results and acknowledging that they were removed (and giving the reasons for removal) is a good compromise between offering the best service possible while protecting the company. If you don't like google's position, you don't have to use it.

[justme]

If you don't want to use Google, use these instead
http://www.altavista.com/
http://www.dogpile.com/
http://www.askjeeves.com (My personal favourate)

[coolpc]

so i guess it is not ok to ask about private online game servers, such as RO, right??

[JLee]

so many people are posting links to liscenced anime, you'd think they'd know that it ISN'T allowed.

[SickFinga]

It's not a matter of politics,morals or bias. It's a matter of law.

Google isn't imune from legal rulings, which that is a direct result of.


Question: Can search engines be liable for copyright infringement by providing hyperlinks to search results?

Answer: Some Internet search engines have been getting "takedown" requests under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Section 512 (see DMCA Safe Harbor Provisions for more information). The DMCA provides a safe harbor to information location tools that comply with takedown notices, but it is not settled whether they would be liable for copyright infringement if they did not use the safe harbor. Arguably, computer-generated pages of links do not materially facilitate infringing activity or put their hosts on notice of copyright infringements.



I guess Google does it voluntarily

[zekrn]

Google is a corporation out there to make money for itself and its shareholders. If it could make more money for its shareholders by keeping those links that they removed than the cose of being sued, they would have.
It's about economics rather than law or about doing "what's right".
Obviously it's the same for Sharman Networks who is obviously losing money due to the propagation of free alternatives to its software, so they threaten to sue google to get them to remove those links.

The same can be said of all those companies losing money because of people downloading their software or any other copyrighted material through p2p software such as bittorrent. Hence the point that it's illegal to download (non-free) software that you haven't paid for, and that you shouldn't link to it.


Question: Can search engines be liable for copyright infringement by providing hyperlinks to search results?

Answer: Some Internet search engines have been getting "takedown" requests under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Section 512 (see DMCA Safe Harbor Provisions for more information). The DMCA provides a safe harbor to information location tools that comply with takedown notices, but it is not settled whether they would be liable for copyright infringement if they did not use the safe harbor. Arguably, computer-generated pages of links do not materially facilitate infringing activity or put their hosts on notice of copyright infringements.



I guess Google does it voluntarily