1. Spare me the sob story. If ANY of these groups were serious, they would go after the primary releasing groups, not downloaders and definitely not trashy P2P networks which really are the dregs of the Internet. If the MPAA wanted to put a hurt on movie downloaders, they would bust saosin. They would bust Centropy. If the IDSA was serious they'd go after Paradox, etc. Every scene has a group that provides either the greatest quantity or the best quality, they provide the meat that keeps those illegal communities alive. Yes, they're hard to infiltrate. But not impossible. And I would think that if the losses were as bad as they claim, they would be willing to make the effort.

Take out the primary sources, the ones with access to internal corporate sources, pre-release sources, etc... and you will hurt the average downloader 9000x more than when you just make them hop to google and search for "star wars torrent" and find a new tracker.

Posted at 4:29AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Dustin Rodriguez

2. You have to remember, it's a lot more profitable and longlasting of a job if you go after the downloaders whose population is large enough that these groups don't have to worry about their supply of potential lawsuit kids running out. All these 'anti-piracy' groups are doing is just making the most money they can and acting like they are accomplishing something. It's just a business for them in the end.

Posted at 4:29AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Orion

3. Dustin : They just DID bust Centropy
in a long running operation, along with a dozen or so topsites, think it is safe to say they are serious.

Posted at 4:29AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Cara

4. Dustin Rodriguez's comment pretty much sums up what anti-piracy groups need to do, or at least try to do. The RIAA/MPAA can continue their efforts on filing lawsuits with p2p networks and trying to scare off bittorrent or any other type of p2p downloaders/users but we can easily conclude that it's ridiculous and extraneous. Suing a number of people will never compare to the billons of dollars worth of illegal software that COULD of been prevented. Let's face it, there is simply no way you can ever sue or penalize every single person who tries to google for a mp3 or new movie released in theaters. These anti-piracy organizations need to focus on where it all starts (the primary source in which this case is the undergound "warez scene"-) Either way it will only be a slight scratch on the surface on actually trying to stop piracy all together.

Sure the FBI has succeeded in closing down a few topsites and causing a little of disruption in the "warez scene", but once again we need to face reality. Nothing will stop someone from trying to pirate digital media. There are no limits when it comes to copying a song or getting your hands on a new DVD. When a computer and broadband connection is available, you have access to EVERYTHING and ANYTHING and this is the reality the RIAA and MPAA need to face. Sorry guys, but nothing can stop piracy. Period.

Posted at 4:29AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Roberto Farruggio