File Trading Law Would Include 'Willing' Traders

mgessner writes "From InfoWorld comes a story on the U.S. House's approval of a new, tough law against trading files online. 'The bill expands the definition of file traders eligible for criminal penalties from individuals who 'willingly' distribute copyright files to those who 'knowingly' do so, an escalation that could result in jail time for file swappers.'" (The bill has yet to go through the Senate.)

Well

[Anonymous Coward]

I guess Granny won't be coming to Christmas this year.

:(

Got a GREAT idea....

[Yo Grark]

We'll build large complexes to house all the file traders. Force them to attend some kind of "knowledge" classes, make them pay restitution, keep them up til all hours of the night studying how good societies act, how responsible citizens should act.

We'll ban all contraband and make sure we run them through a series of tests before letting them out.

Oh wait, I've done my time, it was called University!

Yo Grark

Re:While we're at it

[bgeer]

I thought the whole country was supposed to be a free-speech zone.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:While we're at it

[Anonymous Luddite]

people who plagiarize or don't cite references go to jail

Imagine the difficulties this would place high school teachers in...

"Excellent work Bobby. You failed to cite sources correctly though, so I must deduct 10% from your final mark and send the police to your house."

Re:Those who vote...

[Anonymous Coward]

Pretty much anything online is copyrighted these days. No sharing of URLs with anyone anymore, about interesting articles?

Saheed, it is the Democrats who have the vast majority of the uber-rich on their side, and the corporations as well. The GOP has become the party of the middle-class. Things have changed in the last 60 years. If you've been following this, you will also know that plenty of pro-Constitution, anti-State-totalist people - right-wingers in your definition - have been fighting this sort of legislation.

But then, your post might just be work of Al Queda, as their goal is destablizing western civilization (what's left of it) in order to subject the dar al harb to the sword.

No More Room!

[blueZhift]

Hmm at this rate we'll soon have to put murderers, drug dealers, rapists, and terrorists out on the street to make room for all of the file swappers we're putting in jail! I know I'll feel a lot safer that way, and Britney will be able to sleep at night safe and secure in the knowledge that record company profits are secure!

Re:While we're at it

[Fenceman]

people who illegally perform plays and musical pieces go to jail

Great! So my buddy who can't carry a tune but insists on singing... I can finally have put away? :)

Re:Down with this bill

[Linker3000]

In other news - SCO files a suit against any Freenet node holding the consecutuve bytes 0C 0F FF FA because that code sequence comes from one of their SCO UNIX binaries.

Re:While we're at it

[idfrsr]

Celine Dione?

In Bush's America

[FreeUser]

In Bush's America, Laws Break You!

[/would be funny if it weren't true]

Re:Yep

[Anonymous Coward]

There needs to be a law that makes a lobbyist wait 5 days for background checks before owning his new politician.

Re:While we're at it

[Baseclass]

Or reNeducation as the case may be.

"Just relax and let the hooks do their work."

Re:Intellectual Property (No Trespassing)

[khrtt]

Since when is marijuana a problem?

I can't speak for your country, but here in the US marijuana becomes the problem the moment they find it on you.

Re:Sponsor of the Bill, Representative Lamar Smith

[Brandybuck]

Huh? Maybe I should turn the question on you. Where was the "force" in there? The answer is that it's not. You argument is akin to saying voluntary meat in lunches at school (even if mom packed them at home) forces vegetarians to eat meat. After all, those that don't eat meat would be held up to ridicule!