US P2P bill aims shackles at browsers, IM Technology lobbying groups have pounced on proposed US legislation designed to prevent the accidental sharing of sensitive files over peer-to-peer networks, saying it is so broad that web browsers and even entire operating systems would also be covered. The Informed P2P User Act would require makers of file-sharing software to …
Is this another example of feckless morons in power with little or no understanding of technology, making up stupid laws and policies, that those of us in IT will have to attempt to implement, or watch our companies marched off to the nearest courthouse, for breach of said stupid laws and policies?
Where would we be without politicians eh? Oh yes, fecking happy and a lot less stressed!
Why don't we have a law that makes sure every email program has a 5 minute delay for sending email so you have time to read your mail again and check for spelling?
Why don't we have a law that makes computer manufacturers put a sticker on computers warning users that they should not take their computers with them in the bath?
You get my point...
Paris, because she would get my vote when she would be running for congress.
No, not really. It's designed to take away one of the more successful excuses for file sharing used to defend against RIAA suits in the past. That is, it's not protecting users, it's protecting the content holders from users who claim incompetence.
Does that mean that someone has to sit and click yes to every http request? I kinda liked the idea of just clicking a link and someone like the Reg would share their html file with me. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to find some other use for my internet connection.
Why do so many of these witless wonders, brain dead fucktards, and neuron challenged morons have to come out of California? Seriously not all of us are at dim witted as this Bono person, I swear. Some of us have a grasp on technology and would happily tell her why this bill is a horrendously bad idea. Next thing you know she is going to mandate that warning lables not to bathe with your laptop, not to light matches around an open gas tank, and not to use a scalpel to get a spec of dust out of your eye. ~shuffles off in embarrassment~
Don't forget that this kind of thing would have to apply to things such as Kservice (part of the install set of iPlayer, 4OD and others.) Which, previously stated 'feckless morons' wouldn't have known about unless forewarned by such a message.
I definitely agree that it would be another dialogue box that will get on an insurmountable number of people's tits, but it's not all completely daft.
This is, once again, a case where someone was stupid and instead of making sure that person does not reproduce they instead make sure that everybody else is inconvenienced.
This happens more often than not. Think I'm kidding? Check the warnings in the manuals of your next purchase - and know that the majority of them are there because someone did do something that stupid and then successfully sued the manufacturers for "not telling them this was a bad idea".
Actual examples:
"Do not use blowdryer when asleep."
"Do not iron clothes while wearing them."
"Do not stop chainsaw with your genitalia." (instant Darwin Award winner here, couldn't believe it when I read it in the manual of my new electric chainsaw)
...it gives them credibility. Marine One is a helecopter and as such its going to have plans circulating for it because airfans and modellers are interested in that sort of thing. There will be no "blueprints" because "blueprints" died a couple of generations ago; even if there were one of these it wouldn't be anything like as detailed as it would need to be to describe all the systems on that aircraft. (Aircraft documentation.....that's an amazing subject all in of itself.)
But the way you repeat it the impression is left among many folk that some super-secret has been leaked to the world, further justification of the need to clamp down &tc &tc. Don't humor the morons!
... when it comes to non-interactive software? I use a number of programs designed to upload files to the internet by themselves. Without prompting.
And on top of that, US laws aren't enforceable outside USA, so how the heck do they intend to enforce it? Are they going to block websites for software that doesn't meet the laws? Are they going to extradite developers who don't abide by it despite not living in USA?
Desigend dialog box What user sees....
|--------------------------------------------| |-----------------------------------------------|
| you need to click something | | ehioerihb,rcgikerbikrcb,pixboaei |
| | | |
| [OK] [Cancel] | | [something] [something else] |
|--------------------------------------------| |-----------------------------------------------|
As said... sorted ;)
Sad but true... most users just start punching buttons until things go away.
As will painting ships near somalia with a sign that says "piracy is a crime".
and what will be the point? In a court of law they will state that you explicity gave permission to share files? wouldnt that be more than covered by the fact you have the effing software in the first place?
Welcome to government, please leave your brain at reception......
Reminds me when at school they said that "downloading" was banned.. erhm :) wtf is the point of the internet if your cant download data?
Safe thing with "filesharing"
Anyway, good luck with this. Just make sure your download servers aren't located in the USA and what can they do if your software doesn't conform?
Is he just not happy with bothering national leaders about poverty? Now he just wants to make everyone know his massively popular U2 albums are being shared - probably because not enough of them are on bittorrent trackers which makes him feel insignificant.
It's sessentially so it can be stated in court that the user has read the warning and therefore any file sharing becomes their own responsibility which means the MAFIAA can sue them and expect NOT to get thrown out because the user wasn't aware of the sharing being in place.
It's stick, not carrot.
Extreme 1: Politicians in positions of power but no specific knowledge of the technology at hand. They bring in bills and other legal instruments without clear knowledge of what they are on about, even if they do consult those that do know, mostly because they don't know what questions to ask and often misinterpret the answers they get.
Extreme 2: Technology supremos who want the world and they want it pretty damn soon. They differ very little from extreme 1 except that they are more interested in making themselves as powerful as possible, no matter who gets hurt in the process. Increasingly these are less likely to be politicians but will often have politicians at their mercy.
And where does the real power reside? Hey, I'm a BOFH! If you really want to know, and you can't figure it out, my prices are reasonable!
Not all software is made in the US
People who use P2P often download 'cracked' versions of software which may have their own installs
People buy and sell second hand PC's pre loaded with software
People buy PC's pre-loaded and setup with software.
The list goes on and on......Idiot.
> Not all software is made in the US
Bloody good job too, given the crap we often have to work with that passes for software coming out of the US.
> People who use P2P often download 'cracked' versions of software which may have their
> own installs
I'm glad you put "often" but I'd still like to see your data on this. There are a lot of assumptions made about P2P and its uses and I'm not keen on the idea of being suckered in Usenet style by unsubstantiated statements.
> People buy and sell second hand PC's pre loaded with software
Very true. But then that isn't always a bad thing. EULAs are far too restrictive in such areas and can lead to all sorts of confusion with end users, especially at times when they are changing over PCs for whatever reason.
> People buy PC's pre-loaded and setup with software.
Again, quite true. Since this is generally at the insistance of such morons as Microsoft so that they can manipulate the EULA to their own advantage, and is often accepted by end users because they don't want to get their hands dirty on the nasty, grubby task of installation any more than they have to, I don't see this changing much.
> The list goes on and on......Idiot.
That's life. Like it or hate it, you can't ignore it.
Sounds familiar, that does!
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