Question about downloading copyrighted materials

[JediJorgie]

Today I got a letter from my ISP saying they had been notified by a copyright holder that I had downloaded a copyrighted movie, which is true. I was using bit torrent. The letter warns me if I am caught again, they can suspend my service. But the letter does not say what the copyright holder will do. Should I expect to get a letter, fine, or subpoena from them? I have never been caught before, so do think it will just be a warning, or am I in trouble?

 

[minendo]

Do it again and find out.

 

[jagec]

Sounds like a warning to me.

For the next time, whether the copyright holder will be content to just let your service be cut, or sue your pants off, is entirely up to them.

 

[bigalt]

i doubt your service provider gave up your name to the company, or that the company even cares who you are. so you're probably okay, as long as you don't continue to be naughty.

what ISP do you have?

 

[JediJorgie]

Originally posted by: bigalt
i doubt your service provider gave up your name to the company, or that the company even cares who you are. so you're probably okay, as long as you don't continue to be naughty.

what ISP do you have?

I'm done with bit torrent now, I almost had a heart attack when I read the letter. My ISP is Charter, btw.

 

[slycat]

wtf were they monitoring u in the first place?

 

[Anubis]

i thought they culdent tell what you were DLing when you used BT?

 

[JediJorgie]

Originally posted by: slycat
wtf were they monitoring u in the first place?

I have no idea. I was using Peer Guardian, which I thought protected me from that kind of stuff, but I guess not.

 

[bigalt]

my guess is (and believe me it's a wild guess) that someone from the film company got the torrent for the movie, and looked at the ip addresses of the people that were seeding it, then sent notices to the ISPs of those ip addresses.

oh but that's the kind of thing i would have thought peer guardian would protect from, bog.

 

[Maverick]

they monitor everyone....I'd stay just cool your P2P cravings for now...either find a safer way to get stuff (newsgroups) or just stop all together.

I've stopped almost all together...for movies I rent or buy (netflix is a good option)...music I just don't listen to as much anymore. Once in a while I get songs from a friend and thats it.

 

[aphex]

either find a safer way to get stuff (newsgroups)

Can't newsgroups be tracked by your ISP?

 

[bunker]

PSA: Peer Guardian does not work with BT!

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: aphex

either find a safer way to get stuff (newsgroups)

Can't newsgroups be tracked by your ISP?

Yes, but there is no way for the RIAA/MPAA to see who is downloading from a newsgroup. They may be able to catch people uploading, but not d/ling.

 

[JediJorgie]

Originally posted by: bunker
PSA: Peer Guardian does not work with BT!

D'oh, that would explain it. What does it work with, things like Kazaa?

 

[clamum]

Safepeer is a plugin for BitTorrent that's like Peer Guardian.