Got tagged!!!

[MunkeeBoi]

Well,boys and girls...Here I sit in Canada,having just spoken with my ISP.Apparently their provider was contacted by Universal because I was distributing copywrited material.I spoke with a tech and got more details...It came from a Bit Torrent download.I've used eMule/eDonkey/Overnet and Kazaa for years...I start using Bit torrent and get a warning from my ISP.Guess I won't do that again.
The tech was kind enough to inform me that complete logs to the second and exactly what is being downloaded are being kept.
I ask you...when will this s**t stop?
What's the point of having high-speed DSL or mega-huge caps if you can't d/l anything?!
I might as well be back on dial-up!
And so much for that great "stealthy" firewall!!!
Seems I never got noticed before using Bit Torrent.
Are programs like eMule and Kazaa more secure? MunkeeBoi

[DudeAsInCool]

That sounds odd, as Bit Torrent splits up the downloads amongst a series of computers.... Not quite sure how what happened to you is possible... Anyone more knowledgeable care to venture a guess?

[MunkeeBoi]

I know...I heard that Bit Torrent was more secure.Guess not.
The tech I spoke to had all the info...in detail.The movie,the program I was using...the whole works.
Needless to say Bit Torrent's off my system.
And...I'll be watching where I go on the net.Apparently,it's even less secure than I thought.

I'd also like to know more about secure P2P programs.
In all the years I've played on the net,this is the first time anything has happened.
So,I guess Big Brother is watching me now.

[cjules13]

What happens if you do it again? Did they tell you that? The only secure P2P are DC private hubs, and a few other progs which are growing, but I hear still don't work to well... Mute is one I think.

BT is the most un-secure P2P out there! All you ahve to do is click Advanced, and you see every IP "doing business with you."

[shawners]

Serves you right, obviously you have to know how unsafe bit torrent is. I mean, look at the torrents and websites that have complete tv series listed.. And you go around downloading movies after alot of people have gotten caught. did you use peerguardian at all? Nothing is ever as secure as you may think.. I only download music off bittorrent.. So far the riaa isnt as big as threat as the movie industry. Why people pay for DSL?? Its to surf faster, to download mp3s even legal ones off websites, pay services.. To have better upload if your using a server at the house. I just cant believe someone thought bit torrent was secure.

[fireforce555]

Didnt even the guy who wrote the original client say he didnt recommend it for downloading "illegal" content because it wasnt anon or secure at all?


But yeah that does suck bad man. Thats why I only download stuff with BT that I know cant get me in trouble for the most part. Mostly Jpop and Kamen Rider Faiz eps that arent even licensed here in america.


Seems like its just a gamble now either way. If you go onto a public network, you risk getting busted because anyone from the public including the corporate folks can have access. Only making a private network would be safe but then the ability to have TONS of content is more limited. Guess you can kinda compare it to shoplifting in a way, you may get away with stealing 10 DVD players but get busted on your 11th trip to steal a single DVD movie.

[kita]

Why would your ISP contact you?
And why would Universal contact your ISP?
CRIA lost in court......

[fireforce555]

Why would your ISP contact you?
And why would Universal contact your ISP?
CRIA lost in court......



Maybe it was a movie from Universal? The CRIA is just music right? Its the canadian version of the RIAA correct?

[The Hunter]

CRIA is the Canadian version of the RIAA, and they have not lost as it is still before the courts.

[fireforce555]

Exactly who is active on BT trying to catch folks? Besides the MPAA.

[MunkeeBoi]

Here's some of the e-mail my ISP got from the EVIL download cops.


Subject: Copyright Violation Notice [Notice ID: ******]

- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Re: Unauthorized Use of Universal Motion Pictures Notice ID: ******
24 Mar 2004 01:42:13 GMT

Universal City Studios Productions LLLP and its affiliated companies
(collectively, "Universal") are the exclusive owners of copyrights in many
motion pictures, including the motion pictures listed below.

It has come to our attention that ******* Inc is the service
provider for the IP address listed below, from which unauthorized copying
and distribution (downloading, uploading, file serving, file "swapping" or
other similar activities) of Universal's motion picture(s) listed below is
taking place. We believe that the Internet access of the user engaging in
this infringement is provided by ****** Inc or a downstream
service provider who purchases this connectivity from *******
Inc.

This unauthorized copying and distribution constitutes copyright
infringement under applicable national laws and international treaties.
Although various legal and equitable remedies may be available to Universal
as a result of such infringement, Universal believes that the entire
Internet community benefits when these matters are resolved cooperatively.
We urge you to take immediate action to stop this infringing activity and
inform us of the results of your actions. We appreciate your efforts toward
this common goal.

Please be advised that this letter is not and is not intended to be a
complete statement of the facts or law as they may pertain to this matter or
of Universal's positions, rights or remedies, legal or equitable, all of
which are specifically reserved.

Very truly yours,


Internet Anti-Piracy Team,
Worldwide Anti-Piracy Operations
VIVENDI UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT.
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
tel. (818) 777-3111
fax (818) 866-6339

Title: xxxxxxx
Infringement Source: BitTorrent
Initial Infringement Timestamp: 20 Mar 2004 06:39:21 GMT Recent Infringment
Timestamp: 20 Mar 2004 07:36:05 GMT Infringer Username:
Infringing Filename: ********.DVDRip.DivX.avi Infringing Filesize:
731406970 Infringers IP Address: 68.90.34.41 Infringers DNS Name:
68_90_34_41.dsl.*****.com Infringing URL:
68.90.34.41:6881/*******.DVDRip.DivX.avi


The tech I spoke with provided more info.I don't think he's too cool with Universal or the draconian P2P laws either.

[YWD67]

Here's some of the e-mail my ISP got from the EVIL download cops.


Subject: Copyright Violation Notice [Notice ID: ******]

- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Re: Unauthorized Use of Universal Motion Pictures Notice ID: ******
24 Mar 2004 01:42:13 GMT

Universal City Studios Productions LLLP and its affiliated companies
(collectively, "Universal") are the exclusive owners of copyrights in many
motion pictures, including the motion pictures listed below.

We urge you to take immediate action to stop this infringing activity and
inform us of the results of your actions. We appreciate your efforts toward
this common goal.

Please be advised that this letter is not and is not intended to be a
complete statement of the facts or law as they may pertain to this matter or
of Universal's positions, rights or remedies, legal or equitable, all of
which are specifically reserved.

Very truly yours,


Internet Anti-Piracy Team,
Worldwide Anti-Piracy Operations
VIVENDI UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT.
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
tel. (818) 777-3111
fax (818) 866-6339

Title: xxxxxxx
Infringement Source: BitTorrent
Initial Infringement Timestamp: 20 Mar 2004 06:39:21 GMT Recent Infringment
Timestamp: 20 Mar 2004 07:36:05 GMT Infringer Username:
Infringing Filename: ********.DVDRip.DivX.avi Infringing Filesize:
731406970 Infringers IP Address: 68.90.34.41 Infringers DNS Name:
68_90_34_41.dsl.*****.com Infringing URL:
68.90.34.41:6881/*******.DVDRip.DivX.avi


The tech I spoke with provided more info.I don't think he's too cool with Universal or the draconian P2P laws either.



"We urge you" If you notice that this is a request of your ip not a demand or threat of legal action if they dont. This is what is known as chest thumping. Lot of noise and big show but no go. They must be able to tell that you are downloaded their copyright material. NOt just because they see a title of a movie you are downloading. The only way they can tell that is to download the file themselves. If there was any chance of yanking you of to the can as an example they would. To put it simply "hey we don't think what you are doing is right by our rules. So please stop even though we have no legal ground to force you to.

[MunkeeBoi]

"We urge you" If you notice that this is a request of your ip not a demand or threat of legal action if they dont. This is what is known as chest thumping. Lot of noise and big show but no go. They must be able to tell that you are downloaded their copyright material. NOt just because they see a title of a movie you are downloading. The only way they can tell that is to download the file themselves. If there was any chance of yanking you of to the can as an example they would. To put it simply "hey we don't think what you are doing is right by our rules. So please stop even though we have no legal ground to force you to.


"Chest Thumping"
You're right.You are so very right.
Moreover,it appears to me that if anything...this was a set-up from the get-go.
Sneaky,dirty tactics is all they've got.
I know the baddies (RIAA & Friends) will lose eventually,I just wish they'd go quietly!

PS...Thanks.Your post/reply made me smile.

[baghdad_steve15]

Thats odd, you say you are from canada but that Ip Address in "your" notice gives out this when whois-ed:
whois 68.90.34.41
SBC Internet Services - Southwest SBCIS-SBIS-6BLK (NET-68-88-0-0-1)
68.88.0.0 - 68.95.255.255
PPPoX Pool - rback13.hstntx SBC068090034000031208 (NET-68-90-34-0-1)
68.90.34.0 - 68.90.35.255

# ARIN WHOIS database, last updated 2004-03-24 19:15
# Enter ? for additional hints on searching ARIN's WHOIS database.


rback13.hstntx SBC068090034000031208 (NET-68-90-34-0-1)

SBC Shoutwest doesnt service Canada since its an American telecom.
Houston, Texas is pretty far from Canada.

Little Shaky.

[MunkeeBoi]

Thats odd, you say you are from canada but that Ip Address in "your" notice gives out this when whois-ed:


rback13.hstntx SBC068090034000031208 (NET-68-90-34-0-1)

SBC Shoutwest doesnt service Canada since its an American telecom.
Houston, Texas is pretty far from Canada.

Little Shaky.


Yeah...I actually changed the IP numbers to protect my ISP's privacy.
Figured it was the nice thing to do.
Probably shoulda just "x" ed them out,anyway.

[freeloaders]

thats my isp address :devil2 you freakin twit.















nah jus kiddin :ass

[Gregory_JJ]

You have my condolances, the whole thing sucks. YWD67 is right about the chest thumping part. A friend of the family is a lawyer and he once told me that you would be surprised by how many people get scred but stupid little letters like that. I'm surprised they bothered to send a letter like that to your isp, since they must know that they have lawyers too.

[MunkeeBoi]

You have my condolances, the whole thing sucks. YWD67 is right about the chest thumping part. A friend of the family is a lawyer and he once told me that you would be surprised by how many people get scred but stupid little letters like that. I'm surprised they bothered to send a letter like that to your isp, since they must know that they have lawyers too.

At first,it had me pretty angry.The fact that my ISP would even respond to the original letter,let alone pass it along.
After speaking with the tech,I realized that this was just a routine they had to follow and now I'm thinking of framing the complaint on my wall.
I take this as a lesson learned.I've read about this crap for a while,and it angered me when it happened to others.It's brought the whole show into my front yard and I plan to advise people I know that don't have firewalls and who don't have any security in mind when they surf and download.
Plus...I updated my security.
I'm just sorry that the "Powers That Be/Baddies" can't go down quietly.
They will lose the fight...eventually.
The best argument against banning file sharing : VCR's,DVD recorders,Casette recorders & MP3 players!Ban file sharing...ban them too!

[begoodbebad]

It's mistaken to think that because the word "urge" is used that they have nothing on you. That letter was addressed to the ISP not to you MunkeeBoi. They are urging your ISP to take appropriate action, that is to contact you/warn you/whatever so you remove the offending file and confirm the same.

This letter is in fact an absolutely standard letter. Every copyright owning/controlling organisation would have sent the same letter (obviously changes for time,copyright owner, date, etc). Don't totally ignore what it says. Don't listen to just the opinions about it that you like the sound of....there have been plenty of threads and posts about these letters here and elsewhere, it would be a good idea to find them and read them, see what other people's experiences are. What you should do is contact your ISP again, say you have removed the file from your PC and that you had no idea you did anything wrong. Next maybe start learning about what firewalls can and can't do, and a little about how p2p clients work. There isn't a viable network that has any real anonymity, but by using BT you are kind of waving a big red flag at the opposition.

[MunkeeBoi]

It's mistaken to think that because the word "urge" is used that they have nothing on you. That letter was addressed to the ISP not to you MunkeeBoi. They are urging your ISP to take appropriate action, that is to contact you/warn you/whatever so you remove the offending file and confirm the same.

This letter is in fact an absolutely standard letter. Every copyright owning/controlling organisation would have sent the same letter (obviously changes for time,copyright owner, date, etc). Don't totally ignore what it says. Don't listen to just the opinions about it that you like the sound of....there have been plenty of threads and posts about these letters here and elsewhere, it would be a good idea to find them and read them, see what other people's experiences are. What you should do is contact your ISP again, say you have removed the file from your PC and that you had no idea you did anything wrong. Next maybe start learning about what firewalls can and can't do, and a little about how p2p clients work. There isn't a viable network that has any real anonymity, but by using BT you are kind of waving a big red flag at the opposition.

Good advice.
I have informed them I was totally unaware and removed the offending material.
They assured me it was just a warning from them,but also advised to be careful that the folks who issued the complaint could possibly pursue the matter if they so choose.The tech has also informed me that he's seen just this sort of thing get ugly.
However,he left me with the impression that the issue was closed with the ISP.
Here's hoping.