Making Files Available Breaking the Law?

lordhathor2001 writes "The RIAA has argued in one of their cases that simply "making files available for distribution" violates copyright laws. This means that regardless of the legality of a file somebody has on their computer, just putting it in a shared files folder that can be accessed by other people is illegal. Although it's asinine, it really shouldn't come as any surprise given the RIAA's legal campaign that's more about what it believes than what the law actually says."

In other news...

[AKAImBatman]

...the sky is blue, dogs still bark, cats meow, and down is still down.

I mean, really. What did you expect them to argue? "Oh, yes, we can't prove that they ever actually distributed a copy, so let's let all the nasty pirates go and we'll stop our campaign of lawsuits. Cherrio!"

Let's be serious here.

Brilliant!

[graveyardduckx]

So now owning Windows is illegal due to the default shares enabled! I hope the slashdotters are happy about this one!

Does that include...

[msauve]

The file at http://www.riaa.com/images/pics/pic2.jpg [riaa.com], which is served by their web site?

Look...

[HunterZ]

Dear RIAA,

Let me make this simple for you: I learned on Sesame Street that sharing is GOOD. It's going to be more difficult than you think to reprogram the inner-workings of my psyche that were molded by watching educational television as a child in the 80s.

Sincerely,
Me

Re:Brilliant!

[Anonymous Coward]

\\<machinename>\c$

Not only are there media files shared, but there is also all sorts of proprietary Microsoft software files in there as well. Maybe Microsoft should sue Microsoft. With their legal spending, I am sure they can find a way to win.

Speeding ticket?

[macdaddy]

What's next, getting a speeding ticket for having a car that's capable of violating the speed limit? Being sued for copyright infringement when renting a DVD for simply owning a DVD burner? I mean you could make a copy of said DVD. We'd better proactively defend ourselves against this threat....

Windows?

[darkain]

Next thing you know, the MPAA will make it illegal to watch movies in your living room, because someone might watch the movie from the window.

Re:Brilliant!

[graveyardduckx]

How many RIAA lawyers use Windows NT/2000/XP/whatever? They can sue themselves!

Re:Lying assholes

[houstonbofh]

RIAA Web Developer: "Oh shit Bob!" RIAA Manager: "What?" RIAA Web Developer: "All the files on our website ARE IN A FOLDER!"

Re:Poster didn't RTFA at all...

[graveyardduckx]

You may all hate the RIAA, but you have to admit that putting Kelly Clarkson's new single in your shared folder is different than putting your own jpg's on the web.

Yeah, but just as embarassing to be caught with.

Re:Oh bloody hell

[Mr. Freeman]

You know, they might try to sue you but I think there's another law somewhere which says that the owner of a work cannot (read: it is impossible to do so, not that you're not allowed to) infringe on their own copyright.

I don't think that even the RIAA could bypass this. Maybe in another 1-3 years, but not for awhile.

Suckers!

[Digital Vomit]

This means that regardless of the legality of a file somebody has on their computer, just putting it in a shared files folder that can be accessed by other people is illegal.

Suckers! I put my shared files into a directory!

Re:Lying assholes

[Anonymous Coward]

So, um, where are these stores that sell sexy clothing for 4-12 year olds? You have a link? Thanks!

The web is illegal!

[VincenzoRomano]

Let's try a reasoning.
- Web content is made by files.
- The web is a technology to share, distribute and access contents.
- Thus the web should be illegal.
Very good!

Dear HunterZ,

[Anonymous Coward]

Bert molested Ernie.

Sincerely,
RIAA