I Did Nothing Wrong, Kids, And Neither Should You

from the we-don't-get-it-either dept

A 67-year-old grandfather sued by the MPAA for up to $600,000 after his 12-year-old grandson downloaded four movies has settled the case, and as part of the settlement, he'll go speak to elementary school kids about the evils of piracy. This is particularly bizarre -- the guy didn't download the movies, an act to which his grandson confessed (though he says he didn't know it was illegal), something known from the outset. Now, as part of the settlement -- for not doing anything -- he has to go do the MPAA's job for them, and tell kids not to download movies. So once again, when the entertainment industry is faced with a case it could lose, it manages to pull out a settlement (at much reduced rates to its claimed damages). But, as usual, there are plenty of questions about this suit. Why should the grandfather be held responsible for something he didn't do? And why should he have to go try to indoctrinate young kids with MPAA propaganda?
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  • identicon
    Dylan Johnston., 21 Dec 2005 @ 12:16am

    No Subject Given

    That old fart got pussywhiped...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    A Funny Guy, 21 Dec 2005 @ 1:52am

    No Subject Given

    Well this is what happens when people don't have the guts to stand up and JUST SAY NO to corporate tyranny.
    Keep your money outta the government eye. That way you have nothing for THE MAN to take when you stand up and tell him to KISS OFF.
    In all fact I have nothing against someone making a profit off of what they do, however I can honestly say and in fact do believe that none of us are interested in making anybodies great grand children rich...except maybe our own :)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Bobby Cannon, 21 Dec 2005 @ 6:57am

    Outragious

    How can the MPAA get away with this? Like the MPAA lost $600,000 in damages because this person downloaded 4 movies?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    joey, 21 Dec 2005 @ 7:02am

    Grandpa should just get netflix

    Grandpa should have just gotten netflix and ordered those movies. He then should have given them to his grandson so he could rip them to his PSP.

    No movie is worth getting in trouble for. Just pay the man.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    PixelPusher220, 21 Dec 2005 @ 7:10am

    Gramps was culpable here

    He allowed the grandkids to use *his* computer without supervision. If the kids do something illegal, then he's the responsible party.
    If you lend your car to a friend of yours, and they rob a bank, you better believe they're coming to find you when they run the tags.
    This doesn't mean the MPAA isn't full-o-chit with these lawsuits, but the legal side of using the connection for something illegal, is quite settled law.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2005 @ 8:23am

      Re: Gramps was culpable here

      If you lend your car to a friend of yours, and they rob a bank, you better believe they're coming to find you when they run the tags.

      --------

      And they will talk with you, get the name of your friend, and arrest him.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2005 @ 12:36pm

      Re: Gramps was culpable here

      He allowed the grandkids to use *his* computer without supervision. If the kids do something illegal, then he's the responsible party.
      If you lend your car to a friend of yours, and they rob a bank, you better believe they're coming to find you when they run the tags.
      This doesn't mean the MPAA isn't full-o-chit with these lawsuits, but the legal side of using the connection for something illegal, is quite settled law.


      Bullshit. Would he also get in trouble if someone hacked his computer and used it as a zombie that downloaded movies?

      The bottom line is that the grandfather didn't commit the crime he was being accused of and therefore should NOT have to do a damn thing. If the MPAA wants to do anything about this, they first need to charge his GRANDCHILD. At that point if the kid is charged and the grandfather is the legal guardian, he is responsible.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Bill West, 21 Dec 2005 @ 10:28am

    Gramps certainly was responsible.

    While I don't agree with the way the RIAA/MPAA are handling these cases, the grandfather was completely responsible for what his 12 year old grandson did while in his custody. The car loaning thing above is not quite the same, but, if while in your care, a 12 year old were to kill or harm himself or another with a gun in your house, YOU would be held responsible. I don't want to here "there's a big difference in shooting someone and downloading a movie." Yes, there is a difference in what the sentence should be, both instances are against the law, however.

    Caregivers of minors are responsible for everything those minors do while in their custody. Don't like it? Do a better job teaching them right from wrong and monitor how they're learning. Adjust your parenting/caregiving skills if they aren't working. If you don't want to take the responsibility, don't have/care for children.

    Just because the RIAA/MPAA are getting outlandish settlements, does not negate the fact that these people are breaking the law.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Mike (profile), 21 Dec 2005 @ 10:40am

      Re: Gramps certainly was responsible.

      Caregivers of minors are responsible for everything those minors do while in their custody

      It would appear that there are judges who disagree.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2005 @ 12:43pm

      Re: Gramps certainly was responsible.

      Or better yet, don't mention the kid did anything! If they can't prove who did what (which they NEVER CAN), then you are INNOCENT.

      What if someone broke into his home and downloaded the movies and left without his knowledge? What if someone hacked his computer and downloaded the movies and then served them to the world without his knowledge. This is the main problem with these bullshit lawsuits. There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY for the MPAA to prove who was using the computer when the illegal activity occured.

      And with all the security issues that are floating around all the time, I'd say there's a much more likely chance of a grandfather's computer being hacked into and used for illegal purposes than there is of a GRANDFATHER actually doing the illegal computer activity.

      An excellent way to look at this is if someone steals your gun and kills someone else with it. Are YOU in trouble for the crime someone else committed with your stolen item? NO!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 4 Jan 2007 @ 8:17am

    I am just trying to find out why the tribute to Danielle Rodriguez was taken off Power Mix Radio? Could you please tell me who to contact to find out any info on this issue? Thank you.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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