Link a video, go to Jail?

[booley]

This seems especially relevant here..

In a case against a New York website owner, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is claiming that merely linking to copyrighted material is a crime.

DHS, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), seized Brian McCarthy's domain, channelsurfing.net, in late January. The site has now been replaced with a government warning: "This domain has been seized by ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, Special Agent in Charge, New York Office."

"It is unlawful to reproduce copyrighted material, such as movies, music, software or games, without authorization... First-time offenders convicted of a criminal felony copyright law will face up to five years in federal prison, restitution, forfeiture and fine."

The advocacy group Demand Progress has claimed that McCarthy never reproduced copyrighted material, and that his website simply linked to other sites.

www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/03/10/new-york-man-faces-five-years-in-jail-for-linking-to-online-videos

I am sure there will be some back and forth on this as details emerge. And there are more details to emerge. For instance it seems the guy isn't being held (as quoted at the end) but just his web site. Still there's no reason to think the threat of jail time isn't real.

What I want to know is why is the DHS and ICE involved?

[DeadpanDoubter]

Shit, I remember that site. I tried to find "MP and the Holy Grail" the other day, got the government warning...WTF.

Homeland Security: Boldly enforcing media...rights? Wut.

[dakotabob]

Shit, alot of people are going to jail for a while then.

[John E]

Mar 13, 2011 15:00:42 GMT -5 dakotabob said:

Shit, alot of people are going to jail for a while then.

Like everyone who's ever had a website, blog, MySpace or Facebook account.

[Mlle Antéchrist]

Just put the entire internet in handcuffs then.

[MaybeNever]

I don't recall precisely, but I believe that, say, anything that I write here is technically something on which I have intellectual copyright. DON'T YOU GUYS EVER LINK TO MY POSTS OR HOMELAND SECURITY WILL COME AFTER YOU!!!

[Mlle Antéchrist]

fstdt.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=pg&thread=8090&page=1#267727

Oh shi

[The_L]

Don't copy that floppy! In fact, don't even tell other people where they can FIND that floppy!

[Vene]

Mar 13, 2011 15:19:57 GMT -5 The_L said:

Don't copy that floppy! In fact, don't even tell other people where they can FIND that floppy!

Don't even tell people that floppys exist.

[Vypernight]

Meanwhile, child murderers are being set free on 'good behavior.'

Are we trying to become the dumbest nation in the world?

[nickiknack]

I guess when they catch me, I'll be spending a whole lot of time in jail...along everyone esle on the fucking planet.

[John E]

I just emailed a link to a YouTube video to a friend! I'm a criminal!

[kmc]

Mar 13, 2011 15:42:10 GMT -5 Vypernight said:

Meanwhile, child murderers are being set free on 'good behavior.'

Are we trying to become the dumbest nation in the world?

I think the fact that we're already there was confirmed the day the Tea Party emerged.

[Iosa the Invincible]

Copyright laws: Absolutely crucial to the security of the country.

[Amaranth]

Mar 13, 2011 15:05:19 GMT -5 MaybeNever said:

I don't recall precisely, but I believe that, say, anything that I write here is technically something on which I have intellectual copyright. DON'T YOU GUYS EVER LINK TO MY POSTS OR HOMELAND SECURITY WILL COME AFTER YOU!!!

fstdt.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=pg&thread=8090&page=1#267727

They'll have to take me too!

Anyway, they clearly have the authority to do it because they did it, and that's how authority works.