Right. Here's my opinion on the matter.
TPB host torrent links to copyrighted material yes, but they do not hold ANY illegal content on their servers. This means that they *should not* be prosecuted for any law related to the storage of copyrighted content on their servers.
However, this means people accuse them of providing links to copyrighted content (which they do). Some people liken this to someone telling people where to buy drugs, or directing someone to illegal material, aiding if you like.
This is where I disagree. Users who wish to download illegal material go to TPB. TPB does not contact them or say 'Go here and download this, go here and download that', it merely acts as a platform SHOULD they decide to download it. I'd hazard a guess that most, if not all, PB users are aware that they are breaking the law, as they made the decision to do so. They clicked the link; they were aware that they were breaking the law, yet they continued to do so.
It also works if you use an example of buying firearms in America, or anywhere where you can quite easily get hold of weapons. If they buy the guns, then shoot someone with them; the firearms dealer is not at blame, are they? If this was so, a lot of companies would have gone under (think Walmart etc), and been forced to stop selling them. The person in question decides a) to buy a gun, b) to shoot someone, no-one is forcing them to do so (in most circumstances).
That's my stance anyway.
Edit: Another thing for those talking about CDs/DRM, did you know that it is actually illegal to copy a song from a CD (that you legally purchased) to your computer, in the UK? Many people do so anyway.
TPB host torrent links to copyrighted material yes, but they do not hold ANY illegal content on their servers. This means that they *should not* be prosecuted for any law related to the storage of copyrighted content on their servers.
However, this means people accuse them of providing links to copyrighted content (which they do). Some people liken this to someone telling people where to buy drugs, or directing someone to illegal material, aiding if you like.
This is where I disagree. Users who wish to download illegal material go to TPB. TPB does not contact them or say 'Go here and download this, go here and download that', it merely acts as a platform SHOULD they decide to download it. I'd hazard a guess that most, if not all, PB users are aware that they are breaking the law, as they made the decision to do so. They clicked the link; they were aware that they were breaking the law, yet they continued to do so.
It also works if you use an example of buying firearms in America, or anywhere where you can quite easily get hold of weapons. If they buy the guns, then shoot someone with them; the firearms dealer is not at blame, are they? If this was so, a lot of companies would have gone under (think Walmart etc), and been forced to stop selling them. The person in question decides a) to buy a gun, b) to shoot someone, no-one is forcing them to do so (in most circumstances).
That's my stance anyway.
Edit: Another thing for those talking about CDs/DRM, did you know that it is actually illegal to copy a song from a CD (that you legally purchased) to your computer, in the UK? Many people do so anyway.
