German Music And Book Publishers Demand ISPs Block File Sharing Sites
from the because-no-good-can-come-of-that dept
Michael Scott points us to the news that German book publishers have joined with recording industry representatives to demand that a variety of file sharing websites be blocked by German ISPs, claiming "I don't see any other way than access controls to get to platforms like these that are based in foreign countries." Or, you know, the labels and book publishers could (*gasp*) try to figure out way to use these sites to their advantage rather than denying their existence. Blocking the sites, of course, won't do much of anything, other than moving those who file share to alternative sites or proxy's/encryption, making it that much more difficult for these companies to learn how to use these sites to their own advantage.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: book publishers, file sharing, germany, music publishers
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
At least enough to pay their laweyrs, I think. Not to mention, other "persuasion" methods that are being used.
Blocking, as well pointed above, will only drive them further underground.
Really, no one learned anything at all from Vietnam War?
Well, they are poking the bee hives. Better be prepared for the stings.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Nice
Really? C'mon, you're Germany, for Christ's sake. Just pretend the foreign country is Poland and sic 'em up, little buddy.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Can you?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Can you?
Notice something: bittorrent users are not getting sued, riaa only goes for limewire/kazaa for example.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Can you?
that's not entirely true. you can see the IP's of the people who are uploading/downloading to, unless they are taking measures to prevent tracking, such as proxies, tunnels, or block lists.
it's not hard to thwart 98% of the tracking that is being done, but simply using bit torrent doesn't automatically shield you from tracking because anonymity is not built in to BT.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Can you?
Just the websites, which is easy to block.
But just as easy (if not easier) to get by that block.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
duuuuuuuuuuuuh
They don't get it, that's plain enough. What we should be mulling over is - Will they ever?
If you want to send a message to them, then boycott what they output and be very very vocal about it. Then whiny little bitches like Lars Ulrich will actually take notice that things like this help them more than hinder them and the can stop investing in Kleenex to wipe away all the tears proving their bitchness.
The RIAA will not take notice of anything that does not directly affect their pocketbook. So make it affect the pocketbook and make sure they know who is doing it and why. Nothing else will make them change. Good old capitalism.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
2) known history of mistakes by other industry groups... check
3) not learning from those mistakes... check.
This is news how?
It'd be news if they had actually learned from those mistakes.
*head desk* Dear publishers, learn from those other mistakes otherwise you too will disappear, just like the record industry and the movie industry.
Learn to not have your legal team be in charge.
btw, Streisand effect again? :)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]