Are Anti-Piracy Laws Getting Out of Hand?

[Mac Medic]

taken from a WinXP News e-mail.


Are Anti-Piracy Laws Getting Out of Hand?

Think your home is your castle? Maybe not, at least not if you live in Europe. Last week, BBC News reported that the European Parliament has passed an anti-piracy law, by a vote of 330 to 151, that would allow companies holding copyright to raid homes, seize property and ask courts to freeze bank accounts of those they believe have violated their intellectual property rights. For the story, see:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?i...ED-Anti-Piracy

This goes even further than laws proposed in the U.S. Congress that would allow copyright holders to hack into the computers of those they suspect of violating their copyrights and delete the files. Many see that as an invasion of privacy, but it's nothing compared to giving a private company the right to enter your home without your permission.

There's no doubt that copyright violation can be a serious problem for those who make their livings creating intellectual property. Laws around the world recognize their right to control and profit from their creations. But traditionally, the method for enforcing those rights was through the civil court system. Now violation of copyright has become a criminal matter, and even worse, lawmakers are sanctioning a form of vigilante justice when they give the victims the right to take enforcement action themselves. Can you imagine this happening in any other type of case? If I think Joe Jones stole was the one who stole my TV set, should I have the legal right to break down his door myself and retrieve it (putting aside for a moment the utter stupidity of doing so)? If this is going to be done at all, shouldn't it be left up to trained law enforcement agents, and only after a properly issued court order?

What do you think? Is this another instance of anti-piracy laws getting out of hand? Or is it a reasonable response to the growing incidence of intellectual property theft? Let us know at feedback@winxpnews.com.


So what do you guys think?

[morriswindgate]

This has been going on in parts of Europe for years.
In several countries, firms hire copyright enforcement agencies who call up the police and just say we are going on a RAId and we need you. No court order, just a private raid.

[Computer Hobbyist]

It is a matter of the golden rule. He who has the gold rules. The record companies have the gold so they are able to secure rules from the various legislatures around the world. Only solution, make the various elected officials pay with their jobs come the next election.

[CrazyMike]

That's insanity! Imagine going to jail for 18 months for something as small as piracy.

[glc]

Piracy is just as bad as what Martha Stewart got busted for, it's stealing.

[Mac Medic]

I agree, it is stealing, but is it worth allowing a private company to raid your home?.

[Confused]

Originally posted by oem_guy_2002 I agree, it is stealing, but is it worth allowing a private company to raid your home?.

Not in the culture we live in. Our constitution guarantees that is left to the authorties after enough evidence is gathered for a search warrant to be issued.

But, few countries have the form of goverment that we do. That is one reason for terror attacks directed at this country.
Chas