I find it interesting that the day after many websites went dark to protest SOPA/PIPA that MegaUpload was shut down. MegaUpload, for those of you who don’t know, is one of the largest file sharing sites available. It’s based in Hong Kong, and has been around since 2005.
According to TorrentFreak, it was shut down by the US federal prosecutors in Virginia. I have to admit this has me a bit confused, since MegaTorrent is a legitimate file sharing site.
The Justice Department’s website states this about MegaUpload...
WASHINGTON – Seven individuals and two corporations have been charged in the United States with running an international organized criminal enterprise allegedly responsible for massive worldwide online piracy of numerous types of copyrighted works, through Megaupload.com and other related sites, generating more than $175 million in criminal proceeds and causing more than half a billion dollars in harm to copyright owners, the U.S. Justice Department and FBI announced today.
This action is among the largest criminal copyright cases ever brought by the United States and directly targets the misuse of a public content storage and distribution site to commit and facilitate intellectual property crime.
The full indictment regarding the MegaUpload shut down, can be read at Scribd.com. To be honest, I’m a bit puzzled by the entire ordeal. I know they used the DMCA notice for people wanting to download files… If the allegations are true, I’m guessing some people were sharing copyrighted material and this is why it’s being shut down? I’ve seen similar things happen on Youtube, where copyrighted material has slipped through, but once it’s found YouTube removes it.
I’ve known about MegaUpload for a few years, and so I’ll be following this story closely.
Photo Source: My Side of the Story
If the allegations are true, they only paid lip service to the DMCA. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but if you could download copyrighted material before it’s public release date, somethings not on the up and up.
Not wanting to deal with copyright infringement issues, I’ve never used a file sharing site except once back in the very early days of Napster.
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Hi @Mike Goad, It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out, I can think of a few instances when sites came back after being charged for similar allegations.
I used Napster also. These days I use Steam for video games. It’s legitimate since Steam receives licenses from various gaming developers. You pay for the games you want. Users can’t share their files but they can add already purchased games to a user library (only accessible by that individual) if they have the correct information.
Since Napster, I’ve avoided file sharing by users. Although I knew the items I uploaded was legitimate, I wasn’t sure if others were as honest.
Aynaria recently posted..What is SOPA and PIPA? How it could this bill change your internet experience (if passed).
That’s insane, Megaupload was my all-time fav file sharing service, I used to upload some high res photo sets to my friends, or some big data (3d renderings, videos) for my clients. I don’t understand this SOPA scandal. They should revise this decision.
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Hi @Catwoman, This wasn’t a SOPA issue, since it’s being charged with copright. There’s already laws in place to handle online piracy, which is why many feel the bills SOPA and PIPA aren’t necessary. MegaUpload was one of the biggest file sharing sites out available, several of its other sites were taken down too.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens, I’ve known about the site for a few years, even written articles about them for a few technology sites.
Aynaria recently posted..What is SOPA and PIPA? How it could this bill change your internet experience (if passed).
It’s a shame this happened and who knows what is to come from this initial banning of this one company. Could be many more to follow suit which would not be good.
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Hi @Ben Fisher,
Agreed, I’ve been following this story closely, hopefully I’ll be able to post an update later this week.
Aynaria recently posted..What is SOPA and PIPA? How it could this bill change your internet experience (if passed).
$175 million in criminal proceeds? Those are all very serious allegations!I’m also familiar with MegaUpload. The site has always been useful every time I need to watch new movie releases. I wonder what will happen next.
Hi @mae | sticker printing,
I’m curious to see what happens. The lawyer that was hired had to step down, due to a conflict of interest. Some have speculated that he was pressured to do so…
Aynaria recently posted..What is SOPA and PIPA? How it could this bill change your internet experience (if passed).
This is one saddening event for avid netizens. MegaUpload has become a venue for file sharing for years that it is one of the staples of the web like social networking sites.
When the site was shut down, I felt like I lost a close friend.
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Hi @Christopher Campbell, Several people were upset when they learned this news. I’ve known about Megaupload for a while even though I’ve never used its site. I’ve referred a few of my friends to the site when they were looking for file sharing services.
Aynaria recently posted..What is SOPA and PIPA? How it could this bill change your internet experience (if passed).
This is a great information Opal, to be honest using Megaupload is a lot more easier file sharing. I really don’t know if what is the cause of it shutdown, all I know maybe because of the SOPA, many site has been affected by this. what are they planning to do. I think that once this SOPA is already approve a lot of online businesses will shut down.
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I think this was timed to be deliberately shut down a day after the websites went dark. The Government really doesn’t seem to be messing around with piracy these days, what with SOPA and ACTA trying to be put in place. It’s quite worrying how much they could overuse their powers.
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@Ares, I thought it was too much of a coincidence too, and you’re right overuse of powers by any group is worrying. Which is one of the many reasons, I’m not for big government.
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