How To Frame a Printer For Copyright Infringement

An anonymous reader writes "Have you ever wondered what it takes to get 'caught' for copyright infringement on the Internet? Surprisingly, actual infringement is not required. The New York Times reports that researchers from the computer science department at the University of Washington have just released a study that examines how enforcement agencies monitor P2P networks and what it takes to receive a complaint today. Without downloading or sharing a single file, their study attracted more than 400 copyright infringement complaints. Even more disturbing is their discovery that illegal P2P participation can be easily spoofed; the researchers managed to frame innocent desktop machines and even several university printers, all of which received bogus complaints."

PC LOAD MUSIC

[GigaHurtsMyRobot]

Maybe now my employer will have to take down that LaserJet IIIp and upgrade to a newer model.

Sweet!

[Hankapobe]

An inanimate object could also get the blame. The researchers rigged the software agents to implicate three laserjet printers, which were then accused in takedown letters by the M.P.A.A. of downloading copies of âoeIron Manâ and the latest Indiana Jones film.

1. Download movies and sell them
2. pin it on cop's printer
3. in the meantime while they're arresting the printer
4. Profit!

Re:Simply send this message to the printer:

[Jor-Al]

What the hell does that mean?

Wow ....

[gstoddart]

So, will we have a variant on the Chewbacca defense?

"Why would a printer, an inanimate object with no reproductive organs, be downloading pornography? It doesn't fit ... if the toner cartridge won't fit, you must acquit."

Seriously though, it's good to see some credible research demonstrating that the methods that are used to identify file-sharers are completely arbitrary and can't be demonstrated to be valid.

It would be nice to finally have enough evidence that Judges could basically say "Well, this methodology has been dis-credited, you need actual evidence."

Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to try to devise a way to make it look like our printer has been downloading Will Farrel movies and films with Natalie Portman. :-P

Cheers

Sweet!

[Layer 3 Ninja]

Time to exact my revenge on that stupid Lexmark E240 of the 5th floor.

Re:Anonymous Coward

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh shut the fuck up Anonymous Coward.

And?

[Colin Smith]

Were the printers imprisoned?

 

As I said

[davburns]

It's so nice when one's uniformed speculation [slashdot.org] is proved correct.

Yay.

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[Tom90deg]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Re:PC LOAD MUSIC

[Anonymous Coward]

PC Load Music?

WTF does that mean?

Re:As I said

[KevinKnSC]

I don't see how what you wear while speculating is relevant.

Clippy helps me steal

[DeadDecoy]

Clippy: Looks like you're making a letter. Would you like help?
Clippy: Looks like your letter is finished. Would you like me to print it?
Clippy: Looks like you're infringing on a copyright. Would you like me to call you a lawyer?
* Throws computer out window *

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[Mephistro]

I'm a spanish Inquisitor, you insensitive clod!

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[Eudial]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency. And bogus copyright claims. Our four, ... no. Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, and bogus copyright claims. ... I'll come in again.

Ridiculous!

[saterdaies]

This is completely ridiculous and I'm sure any judge would see a printer downloading copyrighted songs as completely silly.

So, anyone wanna help me get NetBSD on my Epson?

Re:And?

[Idbar]

More important, do they have to be defended by lawyers, or can the fax machine do the job?

Re:And?

[powerlord]

I'm not sure, but I hear the PBX is looking to consolidate things into a Class Action.

Re:iron man url and tracker

[PopeRatzo]

(just kidding, I'll wait for it to be released on dvd first)

How quaint!

Re:And?

[EMeta]

Just the fax, ma'am. Just the fax.

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[DoofusOfDeath]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Ha HAH! The Spanish Inquisition never expected a Hewlett Packard !

Re:Sweet!

[TheGratefulNet]

pc-load-letter.mycompany.com - now I finally have you! bwahahaha.

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[city]

Then think of the Inquisitees, you insensitive clod! [wikipedia.org]

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[illeism]

and you are quite unexpected

The time has come

[gmuslera]

We need an UN declaration on Machine Rights. There are no punishment for smash, throw out windows, sued for file sharing without a fair judgement or even (is hard for me to write this, human cruelty have no limits) install windows in them.

How you think a singularity will decide to show up in such environment?

Re:Wow ....

[OglinTatas]

Why would a printer, an inanimate object with no reproductive organs...

In other news, printers now have reproductive organs [slashdot.org]

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

I'm a spanish Inquisitor, you insensitive clod!

Insensitive? He made that joke expecting you to not show up!

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[sm62704]

You must be new here. Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms - Oh damn! I can't say it - you'll have to say it.

Re:Clippy helps me steal

[DaveM753]

See, this is exactly why nobody likes Clippy. If Microsoft wants people to like Clippy, get him (it) to say stuff like

Clippy: Looks like you're infringing on a copyright. Would you like DVD5 or DVD9? ...much more useful. (Uh oh. I'm off-topic... apologies)

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[greed]

"You are accused of heresy, in thought, word and deed! How do you plead?"

PC LOAD LETTER

Re:Wow ....

[sunwukong]

What the .... ?

Why the hell is this printer out of toner, again?! And where the hell is all of the kleenex?

Re:And?

[kesuki]

but where will we get a jury of their peers? the local area network?

{1}There's another takedown notice on the printer!

[Anonymous Coward]

{2} 'ere! How do you know its ip?

{1} It's barcoded on the side of its base.

{2} It's a fair cop, but technology's to blame.

etc., etc....

Re:PC LOAD MUSIC

[porcupine8]

It's an old printer error.

It means you need to restart the printer's download of Geto Boys MP3s.

Re:Simply send this message to the printer:

[Actually, I do RTFA]

What the hell does that mean?

Networked printer needs paper, badly.

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[Anonymous Coward]

And during the trial, when the printer's defense lawyers try to prove its innocent, the witness a.k.a. the fax machine yelled: "You can't handle the truth."

NYT should do better

[blitzkrieg3]

From TFA:

An inanimate object could also get the blame. The researchers rigged the software agents to implicate three laserjet printers, which were then accused in takedown letters by the M.P.A.A. of downloading copies of âoeIron Manâ and the latest Indiana Jones film.

HTF is a printer less animate than a desktop computer?

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[just_another_sean]

...nice red uniforms ...

And... A comfy chair!

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[HTTP Error 403 403.9]

Only old people expect the Korean inquisition.

Case 08OV003345

[Mateorabi]

I liked Case # 08OV003345:

CVS PHARMACY STORE 6 24 8 402 130 08OV003345 0 SALE OF EXPIRED BABY 1-7 Arraignment

I mean what gall they have to sell expired babies to their customers!

Re:Big surprise!

[Alpha830RulZ]

but if the only evidence presented at the case was the odd behavior you would be found not-guilty

Unless you're black or hispanic and live in Texas.

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[nbowman]

PC Load letter, what the fuck does that mean?!

Re:Big surprise!

[Blakey Rat]

If I go outside every night wearing overalls covered in blood stains, dig holes in my front yard, and bury body sized bundles wrapped in garbage bags every night for a couple of weeks, I'll probably be investigated for murder.

Hm, good point-- I better start using the back yard.

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[anexkahn]

someone should start spoofing MPAA machines of sharing music and RIAA machines of sharing movies...that should make for some fireworks!

Re:Glad it's in a reputable media source

[Anonymous Coward]

Whoosh!

Indeed this subtle joke was missed by the HP Printer posting on slashdot.

Re:Case 08OV003345

[DMUTPeregrine]

Baby bones lose the satisfying crunch after a few days, and the flesh is just not nearly as flavourful. Selling expired babies should be a crime.