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We all know MegaUpload is the go-to place for pirated content. That's not really in question. The question here is: Is our government following the rules our fo
by firefoxman1 15y ago
We all know MegaUpload is the go-to place for pirated content. That's not really in question. The question here is: Is our government following the rules our founding fathers laid out, or do they believe they can cut straight to taking down a company 90% out of their jurisdiction without even following due process.
The whole reason it's a debate is because if we, as citizens, don't watch our government closely when they make controversial moves like this, it easily becomes a very slippery slope. If we let our government get away with something like this, where will it end? Soon, will unwarranted search and seizure will be OK for the FBI, so long as they're after "pirates?" Will we end up like Iran who can execute a programmer 'cause they said so?
Yeah, those are extreme examples, but the reason it is such a slippery slope is because our court's decisions are largely ruled by precedence. If the courts declare the actions taken against MegaUpload legal, it's pretty much "anything goes" for the FBI and DoJ to attack future, perhaps less piracy-oriented or even completely legitimate companies. All the DoJ or FBI has to say is "see, you let us do it last time with MegaUpload."
- res0nat0r 15y agoThe arrests overseas we executed in full cooperation with those local countries governments. Not via some rogue operation.
- firefoxman1 15y agoYeah I did read that. The police in the respective countries carried out the actual arrests. But since when did the U.S. see themselves the official justice department for the entire world? (I guess the answer is "since WWII") But how many people in the U.S. were being so irreversibly harmed by MegaUpload that our government felt such a need to command this world-wide operation.
- powertower 15y ago> But since when did the U.S. see themselves the official justice department for the entire world? I'm still confused on why you're confused. MU was distributing copyrighted material around the globe. The US gathered evidence, presented that evidence to its partners, partners made the arrest. It's a global network, there are various treaties, and there is cooperation.
- firefoxman1 15y agoWell that's what's in question. Nobody is sure yet, but the question is: did the U.S. overstep their boundaries on this one? That's really all it is on the surface.
- Seth_Kriticos 15y agoProbably a few dozen. All very well packed and with excellent tie-ins to officials. Welcome to the new democracy. Not to defend MU here. Just don't think all that many people felt the harm for what they were doing. And if you ask artists, they will probably point you in different direction.
- jrockway 15y agoWe all know MegaUpload is the go-to place for pirated content. We all know that the west side of the Chicago is the place to go to buy drugs. That must mean that everyone living west of Halsted Street is a drug dealer and should be put in jail without a trial.