Someone I know, a friend, wants to ask - is it just music and the like or does downloading other stuff, possibly with an adult theme get you into the same pickle

If the company who produce the stuff is on ASC's list of companies you are at risk.

update www.pcpro.co.uk/news/355099/bpi- ... ng-lawyers

update www.pcpro.co.uk/news/355099/bpi- ... ng-lawyers

I know someone who I better send this info to...his nickname is Jack Sparrow he does that much downloading....he is in the BT area though...are they targetting them too?????

How many years would they go back or are they only allowed 12 months?

I know of someone who recieved a letter this week for an offence in April 09 so i think the 12 months is a good indicator of how far back they will go.

Most isp's will give details to ACS when asked to do so BT definately do. Tiscali were removed from the last list provided and with their owner going on record against the 'Digital economy bill' it could be one of the better providers to be with in the future.

i know most ISPs are not really happy about this as its extra work for them - their main job is to keep decent bandwidth for their customers, and also its not in their best interests to investigate their customers.
To the person who asked about 'other' files then the answer is if it is owned by someone then unless they give permission then you are most likely breaking copyright law if you download. i think the company concerned catches people by searching for files owned by their clients, and seeing who is offering them for download (ie. uploading). they can do this legally as they will have been given permission by the files owners

Just a reminder, can we keep discussion to the legalities etc, and steer well clear of technical aspects/promoting sites/software please.

There are some legitimate companies who distribute their software via torrents.

Indeed, the BBC Iplayer uses a closed torrent system.

Whats scary is the sheer amount of P2P that goes on these days, there are studies that say up to 75% of all data flowing through the internet is P2P, and I don't think its a huge leap to suggest the majority of that is probably illegal. You can see why the entertainment industry and the ISP's are a tad worried.

Yes there is stuff that is legal on torrents (linux etc) but lets face it the majority of downloads are not of legal stuff. You can get all the legal stuff from other places at a much better speed.

The fact the music companies have now distanced themselves from ACS will be another blow for them.

Torrent is as popular as it is because of its potential speed of download, which is why large media companies like the BBC use it.

hope you like this rlarticlerl which i found which looks at ACS Law and the fact they themselves have been a bit naughty

just spoke with 1 of my mates from pub. He said he had 1 of these letters a year ago and payed the 500 quid fine without a fight (dont think hes into computers or would know what is wrong). Anyway im kinda worried as i dl P2P and any help would be appriciated, if it be ways to dl safer or if i get they letter.

Thanks

I think the issue here is that if your caught doing things that you know to be against the law then you cough up the dough!!