RIAA To Blow Up Your Computer

Companion Cube · Post by **Companion Cube** » 2003-06-18 04:13pm

This reminds me of something...

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2003-06-18 04:15pm

I told you that someone would try something like that!

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-06-18 04:22pm

It's just Senator Hatch shooting his mouth off to try to scare the P2P networks and the technology manufacturers. Seriously, how do you physically destroy a computer by remote, other than by mandating all computers are shipped with self-destruct charges? And if you're only talking about destroying the software, say by forcing the hard drive to format, how many billions of dollars in liability are you going to be responsible for when valuable data is erased because a computer somewhere misidentified a legal MP3 file as pirated?

Legally, this is a gross violation of due process. The fifth amendment is very clear on this issue--a citizen's life, liberty and property can only be taken away by due process of law. That means courts, juries, judges, legal representation for the accused, and appeals processes. You can't detonate someone's computer because they have a pirated file on it without a trial or even an opportunity for the accused to defend himself. And that's the government I'm talking about--for a private individual or corporation to do so would be out and out vandalism, at least.

Steven Snyder · Post by **Steven Snyder** » 2003-06-18 05:17pm

Keep in mind that if computer/software manufacturers had to install a backdoor program that allowed either the HDD to be wiped, or physical destruction of the hardware, then others could hack into it.

Viruses are bad now...everyone knows this.

What happens when these virus writers figure out how to send remote destruction sequences to other peoples computers?

Imagine the devastation wrought be the destruction of a corporation's entire network of computers, how about an entire state? What happens when someone gets really brave and does the ENTIRE internet in a single monday afternoon?

The losses to businesses who have computers on the internet would be astronomical.

Ahh...Senator Orrville Redenhatcher, the man who can speak with no mind.

Jadeite · Post by **Jadeite** » 2003-06-18 09:03pm

Good way for him to not get reelected.

Andrew J. · Post by **Andrew J.** » 2003-06-18 09:21pm

Go ahead. blow up my computer! I've been looking for an ezcuse to get a newer one anyway.

Kitsune · Post by **Kitsune** » 2003-06-18 09:29pm

I have two problems...I have a few 1000 MP3 files on my computer, they are copied from CDs I already own which I ripped so that I can eather make my own copelations or make huge Mp3 disks. How can they tell the difference between my files and someone elses who downloaded all of theirs? Also, how about peopel who either have sat tv or xm radio and record as Mp3 from them?

Post by **Gandalf** » 2003-06-18 09:46pm

Can they affect my computer if I live in Australia, I mean legally?

Also, what does RIAA stand for?

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-06-18 09:52pm

Kitsune: They can't, short of doing something like downloading files off Kazaa, adding some kind of marker to them, and re-releasing them into the wild, THEN sending the blow-up signal to any file with the marker. Sending the detonation signal to any computer upon which they detect MP3's (illegal all by itself, since poking around on someone else's hard drive without his permission or knowledge constitutes hacking) would be an invitation to liability lawsuits 12 times the size of God (hell, I have GAMES on this system that use MP3 files for the music tracks). Really, this proposal is just legal wanking. There's a more realistic chance of them banning the MP3 format altogether, though it's disturbing that a repsected, powerful legislative leader like Senator Hatch would apparently seriously suggest something like this.

Gandalf: It stands for the Recording Industry Association of America. And I have no idea if they could legally do anything to your machine. Probably not, but international law is not my speciality.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-06-18 09:57pm

Gandalf wrote:Can they affect my computer if I live in Australia, I mean legally?

Also, what does RIAA stand for?

They can do jack and shit to anyone like you or me. RIAA remember.

Kitsune · Post by **Kitsune** » 2003-06-18 10:23pm

RedImperator wrote:Kitsune: They can't, short of doing something like downloading files off Kazaa, adding some kind of marker to them, and re-releasing them into the wild, THEN sending the blow-up signal to any file with the marker. Sending the detonation signal to any computer upon which they detect MP3's (illegal all by itself, since poking around on someone else's hard drive without his permission or knowledge constitutes hacking) would be an invitation to liability lawsuits 12 times the size of God (hell, I have GAMES on this system that use MP3 files for the music tracks). Really, this proposal is just legal wanking. There's a more realistic chance of them banning the MP3 format altogether, though it's disturbing that a repsected, powerful legislative leader like Senator Hatch would apparently seriously suggest something like this.

To be honest, I am more concerned with them walking into your house "We want to seize your computer. Ah, you have MP3 files, 20 years in jail."

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2003-06-18 11:10pm

Kitsune wrote:To be honest, I am more concerned with them walking into your house "We want to seize your computer. Ah, you have MP3 files, 20 years in jail."

This is what you say in that case:

"Do you have a warrant? May I see it?"

And if they say no to either question, you tell them to leave your property. If they don't do so immediately, you can call your lawyer and you'll have their job by the end of the week.

The probability of any sane judge issuing a warrant to inspect a private citizen's computer is near zero. If they do have one, the measure of my surprise would be immense. Just remember that most people with internet access use P2P to get MP3s, millions of people in the USA alone pirate music. Trying to find and prosecute them would be like pissing away cash--into the wind

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2003-06-19 08:34am

Gandalf wrote:Can they affect my computer if I live in Australia, I mean legally?

No.

The ACCC(I think thats the right number of 'C's) would make the RIAA its bitch.

The ACCC have increadible powers to keep business operating in australia in line. They are the reason you can buy regionless DVD players in Australia.

RIAA = Recording Industry Association of America

Mitth`raw`nuruodo · Post by **Mitth`raw`nuruodo** » 2003-06-20 12:24pm

How much do ya wanna bet Hatch's office is gonna get hacked and fucked up soon?

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2003-06-20 11:13pm

Slightly on topic here... it is interesting to note that no one here in Japan seems to know of P2P programs, as they all were wondering what "mp3s" were when I was asking my friend about his iPod.

EmperorMing · Post by **EmperorMing** » 2003-06-21 12:50am

This is total BS...

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-06-22 12:57am

Okay, now they've gone too far.

And, another thing: What about collateral damage? My sister has hundreds of MP3s, and the computer with those files is the same files my parents keep all their important documents. Why should they lose years of important documents that could set them back majorly because some money-grubbing RIAA guys don't want the little people downloading MP3s?

And, what's their beef with people downloading MP3s? Why don't they think "Maybe CDs are too expensive, and they're aren't enough good songs" or something. As I said, my sister has hundreds of MP3 files. Buying the music in CD form would cost hundreds of dollars, and I'm sure she has better stuff to do with the money she makes. Perhaps if they lowered prices so a CD with only one or two good songs on it didn't cost as much as a DVD, people would be buying them.

LT.Hit-Man · Post by **LT.Hit-Man** » 2003-06-22 04:12pm

Someone should send these assholes a few E-mail bombs that nukes there computers and see how they like it

Thunderfire · Post by **Thunderfire** » 2003-06-23 01:40pm

The professional pirates in asia and eastern europe are a bigger
problem. Getting tons of CD/DVDs cheap is pretty easy in poland
or the czech republic.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-06-23 01:44pm

DPDarkPrimus wrote:Slightly on topic here... it is interesting to note that no one here in Japan seems to know of P2P programs, as they all were wondering what "mp3s" were when I was asking my friend about his iPod.

So what do they use?

Montcalm · Post by **Montcalm** » 2003-06-23 01:47pm

Thunderfire wrote:The professional pirates in asia and eastern europe are a bigger
problem. Getting tons of CD/DVDs cheap is pretty easy in poland
or the czech republic.

Now i understand more,its easier to go after the little guy than going after the real problem.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2003-06-23 11:25pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote: So what do they use?

A lot of Japanese computers don`t even have speakers. They BUY a CD if they want music. And the average price of a CD is about $35 American. This is what the RIAA wants.

EmperorMing · Post by **EmperorMing** » 2003-06-24 12:04am

DPDarkPrimus wrote:
Admiral Valdemar wrote: So what do they use?
A lot of Japanese computers don`t even have speakers. They BUY a CD if they want music. And the average price of a CD is about $35 American. This is what the RIAA wants.

Yep. Exactly what the RIAA wants. To price gouge the average consumer, greedy fuckers...

Post by **Gandalf** » 2003-06-24 12:06am

DPDarkPrimus wrote:
Admiral Valdemar wrote: So what do they use?
A lot of Japanese computers don`t even have speakers. They BUY a CD if they want music. And the average price of a CD is about $35 American. This is what the RIAA wants.

Holy shit, that's like $60 Australian.

I ain't paying that.

Rubberanvil · Post by **Rubberanvil** » 2003-06-24 01:26am

Montcalm wrote:Now i understand more,its easier to go after the little guy than going after the real problem.

That and they don't own any noticable part of the government(s) to enforce the RIAA approved copyright laws.