He was downloading some TV shows. Our ISP sent 34 emails within one hour to warn about the illegal download. I showed the messages to him. He said that it was his first time so he would stop. But what of the consequence? Should I contact our ISP about this? [Reply]
This is always how it starts. A few torrents here and there, next thing you know he's signed up to multiple newsgroups using IRC and writing python script like some kind of Somalian pirate.
Originally Posted by Fish:
This is always how it starts. A few torrents here and there, next thing you know he's signed up to multiple newsgroups using IRC and writing python script like some kind of Somalian pirate.
Originally Posted by Msmith:
I don't know anything about downloading stuff.
What is legal and what is not legal?
Downloading stuff is legal enough. Nobody has ever been prosecuted for simply downloading something like movies or TV. It's the uploading that you really have to worry about. Bit Torrent clients are configured by default to automatically upload the content you're downloading as soon as it's available. Legal information property entities can only really make a stink when you're uploading content to lots of other people. You can configure your kid's torrent client to only download and never upload, like a good parent would. If you did that, you wouldn't receive any more notices. Sometimes sites monitor that kind of thing and won't let you download unless you also upload. But most are not like that. If it would help, I'd be glad to take down your kid's email and send him some tips on how to be safe. I'll have him safely pirating in no time, with no risk to you. Because we're all Chiefs fans here... [Reply]
The RIAA sued more than 18,000 people for illegally sharing music in the mid-2000s. You don't have to worry, they don't do that stuff anymore.
Jail time (for criminal charges). Jail is pretty rare, but the U.S. copyright law allows you to be jailed for up to 10 years depending on the offense.[3]
Criminal fines. U.S. copyright law also allows the government to fine you up to $250,000. You might have to pay fees in the place of jail time or in addition to jail time.[4]
Statutory damages. If you are sued in a civil lawsuit, you may have to pay $750-30,000 per illegal download. If you violated the law “willfully,” then you may have to pay up to $150,000 per download. However, if you can prove that you had no idea you were illegally downloading copyrighted material, you can get the amount reduced to $200 per download.
Actual damages. The copyright holder might instead seek “actual damages.” This is the amount of money your illegal download actually cost the copyright holder, as well as your profits for illegally downloading and distributing the work.[5] Typically, actual damages are hard to prove, so most people sue for statutory damages. However, the law allows them to seek actual damages if they can prove them. [Reply]
I got busted for downloading hbo stuff. I think hbo had it out there to bust people.with or something. Get him vpn. It's illegal but he aint going tonrestrain himself [Reply]