Bit Torrent Whack a Mole > Secretly, the MPAA likes this

Secretly, the MPAA likes this

Nope, the MPAA can't help but lose money on the lawsuits. They're suing people who are worth less in total than the MPAA pays their lawyers for the case.

reply to stet
I don't think they are suing specific people jsut their IP addressed.

Thats why they wanted the ISP's to reveal identities.

IT would be interesting to see how they are going to collect money from a number.

reply to stet
I recall that the MPAA and RIAA are supposedly required or volunteering to turn over the funds they collect to the author or owner of the copywrited materials (IF, and only IF, the copywrite owner applies to receive them.).

In theory these actions should not become a profit source for them, but instead for the copywrite owners.

reply to wasanon
The MPAA and RIAA are the copyright holders!

reply to russotto
They can include their legal fees in the lawsuit. It's the same thing that DirecTV was doing against people pirating their signal with hacked cards.
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I am of the stars.
I am called "Forever".
Eternity courses through my veins.

reply to stet
actually they aren't, they are just representing the owners of the copyright

reply to stet
There is a real point here.

In terms of organizational dynamics and psychology, they like control, and a "battle" like this gives them opportunities to assert control, and perhaps also to expand their turf by adding staff.

On the other hand, the MPAA and RIAA may be running scared of a decline in the revenue streams from which they presumably get a cut, which would reduce their income and size - unless of course they can make a case that they need additional resources to fight further declines.

reply to fundamentals
ahmmm... let's get this point a bit clearer.

As I understand it they are SELF APPOINTED to represent the copywrite owners.

Just because Ted and Alice asked them to represent them does not mean that they also represent Bob and George and Larry whom know nothing about this.

I also recall reading that the MPAA and RIAA make no attempts to contact these copywrite holders that they HAVE collected money for and let them know the funds are available. It's up to the copywrite holder to somehow magically know that monies are waiting for them should they apply.

Where is there any clear authorization for them to wield this power? A large portion of the copywrite holders they claim to be representing neither know they are being represented nor know that they may go to these organizations to take possession of the funds they have collected in their name.

Dirty... scummy... slimy... slanted. There is a deeper agenda driving this. Follow the money.

I call for honesty and due process on this matter. Full and open reporting of fund collected and on behalf of whom. Full information to be provided to the copywrite owners in a timely manner. For them to do less is in my opinion immoral, unethical, and criminal.

I'll probably get sued now... despite not even owning a stereo.

reply to wasanon

reply to stet
But what happens when they sue someone that's doesn't have the money to pay them? Or the means to acquire said money? What about someone that's already going bankrupt? Not much you can bleed from a stone...

The court would garner your wages until your fine is paid. And bankruptcy may not clear you of your legal fines like it could other depts.
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I am of the stars.
I am called "Forever".
Eternity courses through my veins.

The point JofCore is trying to make to you is that even if their wages were garnered for their entire lives, it STILL wouldnt be enough to cover the costs of all the lawyers they use. There is no profitability.

Exactly...these court suits are more for scare tactics than revenue.

Say I SOMEHOW got the courts to order you to pay me 100 trillion dollars...it doesn't mean that I'm that much richer. Many of the plantiffs on the RIAA/MPAA hunts are in such circumstances, where the full fine amounts could very well equal the family income for years to come.

Why do you think you've never seen any taken all the way to a jury? The customer doesn't want to risk it, nor does the media agency want the legal bother of pursecuting Joe Schmoe of his last nickel & dime. All the RIAA/MPAA wants is someone to hang, to exemplify them to all the other pirates that, "Thou Shall Not Steal".

reply to Plasticman
Some royalties from radio play (and CD sales) go to the song writers which aren't necessarily the musicians that recorded the song.

The money isn't in being in a band, it's in writing songs. Now if you are a band member who also gets writing credits, then you get the best of it all. You get paid for your initial recording of the album, paid to tour, and paid royalties based on sales and radio play.
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I am of the stars.
I am called "Forever".
Eternity courses through my veins.

reply to fundamentals
I wasn't aware that monies collected in via court action were any less to compensate the copywrite holders than monies agree to be paid to avoid court action.

We need to locate an authority here. I don't mean a lawyer either. I mean someone that knows what's happening to these funds. Too much speculation and I would really like to know the facts. ARE the copywrite holders receiving them, and if not then why not, and whom is?

Oh... wait a minute... this is the internet.... all facts will be obfuscated, misconstrued, and mis-representation will run rampant. We'll never really know.

Certainly wish we could though.

reply to stet
traffic went up because the MPAA got ink about people pirating the movies. someone opens the NY Times and says hey cool i can get free movies and goes onto google and starts searching about BT.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports