Not to revive this thread (which proved to be controversial).  But here's proof that international cooperation can be used to cut down on internet piracy.  Clap, clap, clap.

I'm far more scared of the Government...particularly the US government.. than I am of pirates.

Beginning of the end for the free internet.

Worried about big governement...except when it comes to redistributing wealth in social schemes. I say that with respect, you know that!

I'm primarily a libertarian. I don't trust big government in general. I am skeptical of our ability to reshape other countries(Iraq, Afghanistan, anywhere in Africa, Greece), skeptical of social planning and meddling by fools with Ivy League degrees, and wary of people who want to manage global economies when they've never run a business and know nothing about how things work(White House).

So I am wary of government regulating the internet as well.

But that does not mean we can't find common sense ways to shut down blatantly criminal enterprises. It's a slippery slope, so we have to be careful. Life is full of slippery slopes, however. Sometimes they can't be avoided. Curious to see how it plays out. I doubt it will be the end of the free internet. Too much commerce is now dependent on the internet. I think I heard recently it's like 20% of total global economy.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I'm far more scared of the Government...particularly the US government.. than I am of pirates. Beginning of the end for the free internet.

When the NYPD first proposed putting cameras up on the streets on New York, people went crazy screaming, "They're taking away our right!  They're acting like nazis!  We'll all be thrown in jail!"

Some people like scaring us with worst case scenarios.  It's their bread and butter.

No one's been sent to the gulag yet.


Phil

That's only cause we never hear back from them again, Phil!

Oh, you silly Bostonian, you...

No one was taken as a result of these cameras.  And no one will be arrested if their personal site has copyrighted photos on it.  There are simple too many small fish out there for the authorities to go after.  They want the big fish.


Phil

A little justice...Kim Dotcom - Fat Bastard <<---click link for Reuters story

This whole thing sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster.  LOL.  he locked himself into a safe room...all very surreal.

Quoted from dogglebe No one was taken ... They want the big fish. Phil

Maybe that's what really happened to screenrider!

Come on, everyone knows Dick Cheney is really still in charge. They would NEVER surrender their dictatorship. Dick Cheney is watching, be careful everyone!

And of course there was the immediate "retaliation" by Anonymous -- http://blogs.ft.com/fttechhub/2012/01/anonymous-megaupload-ddos/#axzz1kE0fLQCe

Like especially the "Uncle Gandhi" quote...the relationship between extreme and moderate activists is always exciting.