Cease Notice

[AbbieRose]

I have a friend who I am a little worried about. They constantly download torrent files, and have got a cease and desist notice through the post from their ISP, they think that the risk is limited to losing service.

What could really happen? I care a lot about this friend and don't want them to face a lawsuit or something.

 

[handsonhosting]

If it's cease and desist, then do that. If it's progressed to legal, then pack your bags, it's going to be a long trip.

The risks are much more than just losing internet service - if they're downloading copyrighted content, the risks are jail time and fines. Most torrent downloads are copyrighted material (MOST, not ALL) - so I'd be very careful what is and isn't done.

If they've been told not to do it again, then I'd abide by that.

 

[SenseiSteve]

So they're already aware they're breaking copyright law, and have received a cease and desist request - time to stop, or face serious damages. Is a $200 program worth $5000 in lawyer fees, and possibly hundreds of thousands in fines? I think not.

 

[Artashes]

Does your friend have an extremely good lawyer on payroll? Send him these links, it might change his mind.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/18/minnesota.music.download.fine/index.html
http://www.heraldscotland.com/woman-fined-pound-16-000-for-illegal-download-1.887489
http://www.nme.com/news/nme/46437
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/63196/woman-fined-for-illegal-music-downloading
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/20080641287120

The industry has been doing this for years. Successfully, too. He is clearly already being watched, so he/she is a target.