Scammers Copying Big Copyright Extortion Tactics
from the learn-from-the-best dept
It really was only a matter of time. For a while now, the entertainment industry has been using borderline extortion tactics with "pre-settlement" letters that promise individuals they won't get sued if only they pay a fee upfront -- ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. These letters have proven to be incredibly effective in getting people to simply pay up, so it's no surprise that other scammers have started copying the technique as well. Right now it sounds like they're simply calling people, but it's really only a matter of time until they start sending nearly identical "pre-settlement" letters on threatening letterhead, and getting folks to pay up as well. Of course, given the extremely flimsy nature of the evidence often used by the entertainment industry in sending out those letters, we'll once again note the very fine line between what these supposedly legitimate companies are doing and the out-and-out scammers are doing.
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Filed Under: copyright, extortion, pre-settlement, scams
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Threatening letterhead?
....let's see, maybe replace the logo with a skull and crossbones....
Thank you techdirt!
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For the most sophisticated
Voila! Send the "Smiths, Jones, Fredericks and Geshtalt" letterhead listing the tracks that the individual downloaded, demanding payment to quash the case.
All the tools for this exist. Hmmmm.....
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Re: For the most sophisticated
Just kidding....kinda...sorta...no no that wouldn't be nice. Could we figure out a way to do this to the Entertainment companies... sort of a musical Robin Hood? :P
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Re: For the most sophisticated
I am certainly no expert on any of this techno-geek stuff, but I am not stupid either and all this new threatening people to pay up for using supposedly "free" services is disgusting and immoral in my estimation!
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Re: For the most sophisticated
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Re: Re: For the most sophisticated
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@mobigeek
/me runs off to implement the plan
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My Plan
Once the Laws comes in I can bulk mail every single Canadian and claim they copyright my work and could pay $100 but if they act quickly I will just charge them $19.95 or they will risk a fully legal action from my team of lawyers. Base on the statistics of stupid people I would get about a 20% return which would be worth millions. It would be gross abuse of the new laws and systems but 100% legal as I just request a small payment or they risk legal action. Nothing in the proposed laws would say I have any proof of such a claim, but if it went to court I would. Nothing says in the law that if I accuse someone of something do I need to pursue it any farther.
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Textbook publishers have been suing students
www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y05/m04/i25/s02
http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=6493167&sid=9635dfb349ca789262bfacb2 8f15ff4f).
and
http://forum.freeadvice.com/copyrights-trademarks-39/notice-copyright-infringement-377805.html
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Threatening Letters?
:)
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All too common in the business world
My wife called the insurance company to express her feelings on this and the customer service rep said "oh, you don't have to pay that. They're just sent out because a lot of people will pay without asking any questions. I've removed the charge."
I'm still trying to decide whether the practice or the honesty was more of a surprise.
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Wow on textbook publishers
Its too bad to read that the academic publishing industry is taking the similar route to the recording industry.
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IT'S ACTUALLY A GOOD IDEA
I mean, let's face it, *EVERYONE* does it as you well know. Therefore, it's good that they feel the pain of their illegal and harmful activities. It doesn't really matter who they pay, as long as they pay - the more heavily the better.
Also, this process should be much more efficient than the legal hoops that Big Media must go through. And if someone gets hit by a scammer and a legitimate letter? Well so much the better! Remember, you can never pay too much for your illegal activity.
Think about it carefully people and you will slowly but surely come to realise that I'm absolutely right.
Thankyou.
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Response to Consumerist
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"Clearly we know which side of the field you stand on."
Indeed, on the side of right! Thankyou for recognizing this.
Please be sure to turn yourself in and make your payment.
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