USTR Publishes Rogue Sites List 82
bs0d3 writes "The U.S. Government has classified some of the largest websites on the Internet as examples of sites which sustain global piracy. The list released by the United States Trade Representative draws exclusively on input from rightsholders. It includes popular torrent sites such as The Pirate Bay, file-hosting service Megaupload, and Russia's leading social network VKontakte. VKontakte says that company's copyright problems are in the past after a deal was made with the USTR. Also, for the first time in many years, China's leading search engine Baidu has been removed from the list. However, China's widely used online consumer and business-oriented online shopping service Taobao remains listed. The full report can be viewed here. It has no legal implications whatsoever, but may be referred to by policy makers regarding future legislation (e.g. SOPA)."
Isn't anyone wondering? (Score:5, Interesting)
Isn't anyone wondering why we get to see lists like that, but no "shame" lists of various internet sellers of brand knockoffs? Ya know, the kind of asshats that keeps spamming /., amongst other sites, with their claims for cheap, cheap prices?
One really has to wonder why this list and not one of the real problem for economy, the commercial infringers. The damage is by some margin higher, and unlike that one, such a shame list, along with action against the operators of such sites, would not only make the economy proponents happy, I bet quite a few internet users would love to see less "cheap outlet" spam littering in their inbox and message boards.
Government really needs a few marketing goons...
Re:Not All Rightsholders (Score:4, Interesting)
I don't like the term "rightsholder" in general. Doesn't that imply that there are some people out there with no rights? I'm a goddamned rightsholder too, I've got all kinds of rights. And yeah, they didn't ask me either.
Re:ip law is defunct (Score:2, Interesting)
there is absolutely nothing anyone can do this short of destroying the internet
And you are talking about the people who control a significant chunk of said internet.
The corollary of your discourse is that the powers-that-be will continue to be more diligent, more far reaching, and more determined in their efforts to track down and stop people who are engaging in these illegal activities.
I have seen many debates here on Slashdot, which usually focus on semantics of "stealing" versus "copyright infringement", but everyone agrees that it is illegal, regardless of what you call it. Might I suggest that if you don't want the authorities to get more draconian and controlling in packet inspection, working with ISPs, etc., then you should consider obeying the law?
game over morons. please don't destroy the most imporatnt media invention since the written word and the printing press
Then stop giving them a reason. If you don't want the enforcement agencies to kill the internet, then find another way to protest. Many posters here proclaim they pirate movies and music because it's not worth spending money on the dreck that is produced these days. I don't believe that; if it's so terrible, why is it magically worthwhile if you can get it for free?
Two wrongs don't make a right. If the stuff is so terrible, have some principles and don't watch the movies or listen to the music at all. Write letters. Buy indie music direct from the musician. Go to independent films. Read a book instead.
The only alternative explanation is what so many people posting here hasten to dispute: you're a cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for something, and you don't care that you're provoking the ruination of the freedom of the internet for everyone else.