The Newspaper Shop -- Thursday edition

[daddydirt]

Originally posted by walktalker
Hollywood hacking bill hits House
Copyright owners would be able to legally hack into peer-to-peer networks, according to a bill introduced in the House of Representatives on Thursday. As previously reported by CNET News.com, the measure would dramatically rewrite federal law to permit nearly unchecked electronic disruptions if a copyright holder has a "reasonable basis" to believe that piracy is occurring. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Howard Berman, D-Calif., and Howard Coble, R-N.C., would immunize groups such as the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) from all state and federal laws if they disable, block or otherwise impair a "publicly accessible peer-to-peer file-trading network."
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-946341.html

"The draft bill doesn't specify what techniques, such as viruses, worms, denial-of-service attacks, or domain name hijacking, would be permissible. It does say that a copyright-hacker should not delete files, but it limits the right of anyone subject to an intrusion to sue if files are accidentally erased."

So, if they damage your computer in this vigilante action, you'll need to prove real damages of more than $250 and get the permission of the U.S. attorney general to file suit against them.

Legalized corporate hacking, well fuck me.....even if it doesn't pass, this bill shit is a grim harbinger of future attacks against the p2p community. I think I'll write my congressman.....

oooops....my congressman is Howard Coble....
so glad i sent him that e-mail about internet radio