Peer-2-Peer (P2P) file-swapping services - Club CDFreaks

cribroom · 23-08-2005

Hello!
If peer-2-peer (P2P) file-swapping services like Kazaa, Morpheus, Grokster, etc., are illegal, then why don't those sites get shut down by the authorities like Napster did?

babychar2002 · 23-08-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by cribroom

Hello!
If peer-2-peer (P2P) file-swapping services like Kazaa, Morpheus, Grokster, etc., are illegal, then why don't those sites get shut down by the authorities like Napster did?

God question, i wana know 2.

**Da_Taxman** · 23-08-2005

Believe me, the authorities want to, but there is a legal issue involved here...territory issue as well...
Napster became too big and too well known, so it was 'attacked' first. Torrent may be next, but that has a whole different structure of distribution, which makes it far more difficult to sue it...but that is a whole lot of legal mumbo jumbo...

*Gurm* · 23-08-2005

*sigh*

Bit Torrent itself isn't illegal. It's just a medium by which people share files. If the files they share aren't theirs to legally share, then the act of sharing them is illegal... not the medium by which they do the sharing.

Follow?

Napster was shut down because they actually kept files on their servers. That got them in HUGE trouble.

Other companies like Grokster have gotten in trouble because their servers actively enable people to find those files. It "encourages illegal activity".

Bit Torrent... the trackers could get shut down if they move illegal activity, but how can you "shut down" a program that people run that has no servers? You can't.

23-08-2005	#1 (permalink)
cribroom New on Forum Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1	Peer-2-Peer (P2P) file-swapping services <a href='http://adstats.cdfreaks.com/www/delivery/ck.php?n=a13febf7&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE' target='_blank'><img src='http://adstats.cdfreaks.com/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=30&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=a13febf7' border='0' alt='' /></a> Hello! If peer-2-peer (P2P) file-swapping services like Kazaa, Morpheus, Grokster, etc., are illegal, then why don't those sites get shut down by the authorities like Napster did? __________________ California Poster Printing Services

23-08-2005	#3 (permalink)
Da_Taxman Senior (non-technical) Admin Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands Posts: 13,483	Re: Peer-2-Peer (P2P) file-swapping services Believe me, the authorities want to, but there is a legal issue involved here...territory issue as well... Napster became too big and too well known, so it was 'attacked' first. Torrent may be next, but that has a whole different structure of distribution, which makes it far more difficult to sue it...but that is a whole lot of legal mumbo jumbo... __________________ By registering to our forum you accepted our rules and policies (Dutch), so respect CD Freaks by respecting these rules and policies; Please read these helpful tips and links for all (newbies and oldtimers) Please describe your problem as clear as possible in your topic title, so that others can see what it is about and are more inclined to help if it is something they know something about; I do not provide technical support over E-mail or Private Message (emails with such requests will be bounced); Please post your questions as clear as possible, so others can help you get a correct answer sooner; Please use our search, you might get an answer to your question sooner that way; For any forum related issues you can contact me through PM; I don't dislike newbies, just lazy people who expect others to do their work for them.

23-08-2005	#4 (permalink)
Gurm CDFreaks Resident Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,940	Re: Peer-2-Peer (P2P) file-swapping services sigh Bit Torrent itself isn't illegal. It's just a medium by which people share files. If the files they share aren't theirs to legally share, then the act of sharing them is illegal... not the medium by which they do the sharing. Follow? Napster was shut down because they actually kept files on their servers. That got them in HUGE trouble. Other companies like Grokster have gotten in trouble because their servers actively enable people to find those files. It "encourages illegal activity". Bit Torrent... the trackers could get shut down if they move illegal activity, but how can you "shut down" a program that people run that has no servers? You can't.

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