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BitTorrent Admin Monitored by US Government, Forced to Dump Linux

torrentfreak.com — Sk0t, an ex-administrator of the EliteTorrents BitTorrent tracker is to have his internet connection forcibly monitored by the US Government. If that wasn ’t bad enough, the monitoring software is Windows based - which means he is being forced to ditch Linux - or face being barred from the internet.

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  • miyamotofreak, on 10/10/2007, -10/+176The government forcing me to use windows? That's ***** up (especially when you have to pay for it.)
    • djh816, on 10/10/2007, -6/+52can he not use wine?
      • capiCrimm, on 10/10/2007, -8/+29and give false warnings because the program relies on a glitch in a library and get him jailed. Good idea.
        • djh816, on 10/10/2007, -13/+9"the program relies on a glitch in a library"

          What are you even talking about?
          • ToadLeg, on 10/10/2007, -2/+29Wine's libraries are often better at doing what they're supposed to than Windows libraries. Because the libraries in Windows have glitches in them, a program for Windows can rely on the glitches in the Windows libraries to run. Also, programs for Windows are often not put to nearly the same scrutiny as open source programs, so they are often pretty funky.
          • chiapet, on 10/10/2007, -11/+2This is EZ get a MAC i don't use MAC but if it came down to the government forcing me to use windows i would say hay I use a MAC now sorry your S.O.L
          • edvas, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Get a MAC to withdraw money to pay for Windows, you say?
          • AnteChronos, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4"if it came down to the government forcing me to use windows i would say hay I use a MAC now sorry your S.O.L"
            -----
            And the government would say, "If you use your Mac to access the Internet, you're going to federal prison." Bah, you're probably 12 or so, based on your horrible writing style, so I don't know why I'm even bothering.
          • dougmc, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2"if it came down to the government forcing me to use windows i would say hay I use a MAC now sorry your S.O.L"

            Sk0t is on probation. He doesn't get to dicate terms to his probation officer/judge -- the judge and probation officer get to dictate terms to him. And they don't have to be fair or reasonable.

            It sucks for Sk0t, yes, but I imagine if he doesn't want to be on probation, he could probably spend the rest of his term in prison instead?

            In any event, I'd say he's lucky that he can use a computer at all.

            Perhaps he could buy a copy of vmware, install that, install Windows on that and install the monitoring software on the virtual machine. :)

            (More seriously, while that might (or might not) technically conform to the order of the judge and/or probation officer, in practice I'd suggest talking to your lawyer about it first. It could very well end up with his probation being replaced with a jail term, or no computer at all.)

            The ankle bracelet makes no sense, however. It's not like his crime was done by him sneaking around downtown in the night ...
      • Sven333, on 10/10/2007, -6/+13Windows is difficult enough to use when you're sober so drinking will just make it worse.
    • Coded1, on 10/10/2007, -4/+36I wonder whats so special about windows? I mean if I needed to track someones traffic and I really don't trust them why would I let them run my code off of their own private box? If anything I would put together a standalone unit and tell them to plug it in. Doesn't it seem strange to anyone else here?
      • malliemcg, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8My guess is that if they just had a bridge/sniffer installed - it would be bypassed by using a VPN link to somewhere, and then they'd have nothing to track.
        • Coded1, on 10/10/2007, -1/+10Couldn't he just as easily install VMWare and XP?
          • dbr_onix, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Erm, for one I'm sure they'd wonder why your installing virtualization software or connecting to VPN's or SSH servers. Secondly, I'm sure this software will be able to monitor what you do on the computer in a virtual machine. I doubt it will just be a packet-sniffing thing.
        • Coded1, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2you'd install the tracking software in the virtual machine, then minimize it, or use it for web browsing.
        • grumpyrain, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2or buy a WLAN card and connect through your neighbours router.
      • dinostabOMG, on 10/10/2007, -0/+51Because DOJ = n00bs
      • kualla, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2This sounds seriously messed up, why let someone your monitoring get ahold of a copy of the software your monitoring them with? Wouldn't it be wisest to talk to his ISP and install it on their PC's?

        If he is smart, he could reverse engineer the code and then use that as spyware and profit. Stupid fricken government!
    • LordofShadows, on 10/10/2007, -8/+46That has to be violating some sort of inaliable right. I wouldnt stand for it.
      • tech42er, on 10/10/2007, -8/+15Of course it violates an inalienable right. But the government doesn't give a *****.
      • FKnight, on 10/10/2007, -14/+21He pleaded guilty to committing crimes. That's his sentence. STFU.
        • jonshipman, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9Ugh, sounds like I'd rather take death
        • aristotle0dude, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9Ballmer? Is that you?
        • NeilM, on 10/10/2007, -9/+7FKnight, you seem to be quite dumb. Please stop breathing my air.
        • Koldkompress, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Maybe Microsoft could sponsor the Government to do that for all prisoners. Maybe they could sell more copies of vista!
          • Koldkompress, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2*****, didn't see Dugglas' comment. Digg dwn
        • kualla, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Thats like saying you got caught speeding and now your only allowed to drive a Ford.
    • betasp, on 10/10/2007, -14/+15He could take the other option, go to ***** jail and never be able to get a good job again because he is a felon. Seems like e got the better end of the deal. He could be in jail with some guy getting the better end of his deal.
      • y0himba, on 10/10/2007, -4/+13He went to jail asswipe. This is on top of that. Read a little bit.
        • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4the way the world is turning.... and the way the UK runs its jails :-| if I had little chance of getting a job again I think I might reconsider going back to Jail.

          seriously.
    • EbilPhish, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3What if he boots a qemu image of Linux inside of Windows?
    • Zaggynl, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3vmware winxp box that's not doing anything.
    • Koldkompress, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3He could just download a copy of Windows. :D
    • ksgant, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Is this FOREVER? Does he have to be monitored for the rest of his life, or just until his probation is over? If it's for the rest of his life, how can they impose that at all?

      Also, how did this equal jail time? He put a torrent up. Did he sell it? Was he actually committing piracy by making something available for sale? Or was he just distributing it for free? How does a copyright violation...which is a civil matter...end up giving him a felony?

  • Daniel591992, on 10/10/2007, -9/+25Wow, that's an interesting story. (and this is a not-so-interesting comment)
  • dugglas, on 10/10/2007, -4/+243He should just get a copy of Vista or XP off Bit Torrent...
    • pr5owner, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4i recommend tiny xp platinum 2, it has an automated installer :)
    • Maverick340, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2So true !
  • AmishRefugee, on 10/10/2007, -5/+182How is that legal for the government to force someone to shell out a couple hundred bucks for proprietary software?
    • eyefork, on 10/10/2007, -3/+57They arent forcing him to buy it, he has the option of no internet at all. I admit its ***** up though
      • Urusai, on 10/10/2007, -0/+16He also probably had the option of jail time instead of probation. All of those squirrelly sentences you hear handed out (like "wear a t-shirt that says 'I stole candy from a baby'" or whatever) are optional in lieu of jail time.
      • fkr3, on 10/10/2007, -18/+7How is it ***** up? The guy's serving a sentence, he's not on vacation.
        • lengau, on 10/10/2007, -0/+11I'm sure you'd be bitching about it all over the place if you were forced to use Linux because of some piece of monitoring software the government wants you to use. Especially if you have to pay several hundred dollars for it.
          • fkr3, on 10/10/2007, -9/+3Personally I'd be so happy to be serving the other 1/2 of my sentence at home instead of bouncing on the balls of some big black dude I wouldn't give much of a crap about having to use monitoring software.
          • FKnight, on 10/10/2007, -7/+4Personally, I wouldn't have been committing crimes. It's his own damn fault. Screw him. Hell, I'd sentence his ass to 10 years of teaching everyone's grandma how easy Linux is to use.

        • Ravatar, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Not if I committed a crime and this was the only way I was getting back on the internet.
      • toxicshok, on 10/10/2007, -4/+8Its ***** up because that is way to strict a sentence for file sharing. Way to go you MAFIAA bastards
        • Scruffydan, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5don't forget to blame the politicians who serve the MAFIAA instead of the people
    • richgustavson, on 10/10/2007, -7/+24These days, the government hasn't seemed to care too much what is "legal" or not...

      Seems like they only care how legal it is for purposes of knowing how much effort they need to put into covering it up...
      • yevkasem, on 10/10/2007, -11/+9these days, some people don't seem to care too much what is "legal" or not... you know the people who use bittorrent to download copyrighted content.

        it's hard to feel sorry for him when he knew what he was doing was illegal and simply got caught. it's not like the feds knocked on his door and randomly chose to monitor his computer use.

        sorry, i have less compassion for criminals.
        • dinostabOMG, on 10/10/2007, -6/+9It's kind of surprising how willing people are to let criminal's rights slide, IMO. Protections are there for a reason. Granted, there weren't any references to Ubuntu in the constitution, but I meant it in general.
        • lengau, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4@dinostab - RMS for President! Restore the GNU/Constitution!
        • cquinnd, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6This was a felony conviction, yes?

          You might want to check on what "rights" you do and do not have in the U.S. after being convicted of a felony. (Whether you agree with the conviction is a seperate issue).
      • Mothrog, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5These days, the citizens don't seemed to care too much what is "legal" or not... The guy has to obey this as part of his criminal conviction. Learn a little something about the laws of your own country so you don't sound like a mouth breathing moron.
    • omega1045, on 10/10/2007, -3/+18It is part of the terms of his probation. He can go back to jail...
    • jsully, on 10/10/2007, -9/+16He should be happy that he's allowed to use a computer at all.
    • CYR1X, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5It's either that or jail, its like here if you get your first speed ticket you CAN pay for one 3 hour class to get it swiped off.
      Trust me, he's lucky.
  • mikelieman, on 10/10/2007, -20/+5FTFA: "Both charges relate to him uploading ‘Star Wars: Episode III’"

    That is so incredibly sad.... There is only one word to describe my reaction:

    "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

    So, use a windows box for a few months. What's the huge hassle?

    • rauz, on 10/10/2007, -1/+26The hassle might be that he doesn't have a copy of Windows and I have a feeling they won't like it if he used a pirated version.
      • Mothrog, on 10/10/2007, -6/+5Tough *****. If he doesn't like it, maybe he shouldn't be committing crimes.
      • JudgeMonkey, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2exactly. Monetary costs from criminal activities is nothing new. It's called fines and legal fees.
  • SilenceGold, on 10/10/2007, -14/+98There we go...the US Government is supporting Microsoft's monopoly. Even Apple's OS X is not listed on the compatible OS list.
    • Ravatar, on 10/10/2007, -15/+3SilenceGold's tears are delicious. Keep them coming.
    • raz230, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0This is crazy. I doubt the government buddied up w/ Bill G. The government's PC's used to be old main frame things, yes? Then when PC's came out, Windows was really the only business capable OS that main stream people could use. Back then, Linux was not around, and MAC was not what it is today. The eventual adoption to Windows OS was natural, and arguably, unavoidable. There's no way it could be changed now without wasting bazillions of dollars.
  • grungegbunny, on 10/10/2007, -16/+13Who says he cannot dual boot?
    • Coded1, on 10/10/2007, -1/+13cause it would likely have to monitor the site 24/7

    • Cabal, on 10/10/2007, -0/+17"I AM NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE AN INTERNET CONNECTION THAT ISNT MONITORED. Which means I cant be on the computer unless I use windows… so partitioning a useless drive for 2 years is worthless.

      -sk0t"

      (via comments on the article)
      • championchap, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8But surely being on the computer and being on the internet are two entirely different things?
        Use Windows for going online and Linux for everything else.

        Fully sucks that he's going to have to shell out for a copy of XP though
      • Cabal, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8why should he even be forced to switch his OS? and don't call me Shirly.
        • jayssite, on 10/10/2007, -2/+0It's either that or no internet at all, Shirly.
      • geminitojanus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5New idea: put the Windows machine in a corner connected to the Internet, and use it as a router for packets from your Linux box. Problem solved; the connection is 100% monitorable, and you still can use the OS you want.
    • legendxx, on 10/10/2007, -7/+2you are an idiot
    • djGentoo, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1The government.
  • orangekid13, on 10/10/2007, -7/+103Cruel and unusual punishment!
    • rabiddachshund, on 10/10/2007, -0/+18I understand the prison and the monitoring but what's with the ***** ankle bracelet? It's not like he ate a baby or something.
      • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2dig this guy up lol... sadly he makes a lot of sense here.
  • Motocompo, on 10/10/2007, -3/+25How can the government take away your internet forever?
    • alciadanet, on 10/10/2007, -0/+29They go into your house, put your internet in a box and take the box away from your house.
      • tech42er, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9The internet's not a box. It's a series of tubes.
    • Unnngh, on 10/10/2007, -1/+14He's a felon and it's a condition of his parole. He's lucky they're giving him the option, I've known people convicted of felony charges related to computers that were not given an option - they were not allowed to use a computer AT ALL. Do you have any idea how hard that is to comply with? You work at a restaurant, you have to get permission from your parole officer to use an electronic machine to clock in and clock out.
      • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7errr yeah... but didn't they 'delete' someone....?

        I could rape a 12 year old and get a better sentence than this :P (sad but true)
        • actorboy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Really? You could rape a 12 year old, get out of jail in less than 5 months, and then have less than 5 months probation while using the OS of your choice?

          1. I think you're exaggerating.
          2. Even if you're not, prosecuting sexual abuse poorly does not mean we should prosecute everything else poorly too. It simply means we should change the way we prosecute sexual abuse.
          • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4actually probably not.... 1st time offence and all the other excuses that defence lawyers etc make up in the uk
            I could be lucky to get away with 5 months in the clink... 6 months with a bracelet and a lifetime on the sex offenders list.

            In the UK underage sex is now essentially considered rape because the child is not 'mature' enough to give consent, admittedly the age of consent in the UK is 16

            So, no... I'm not exaggerating but I do not believe this guy committed a criminal offence (civil offence, yes).

            1. Nothing was stolen.
            2. no person was harmed
            3. he did not try to sell anything he acquired (could be wrong on this one but I dont think he did?)

            I think the lobbyists in washington should all be told to GTFO because they are the ones corrupting your government for the pleasures of the corporations.
            If the movie studios want to sue him into the ground and bankrupt him for the rest of his life then fair enough, but I've heard of armed robbers, sex offenders and even manslaughter charges being less than 6 months in this country. Oh yeah, and it costs upwards of £20k a year per prisoner to keep them with their satTV, Playstations and all the other luxury ***** that they can afford when the poorest honest ones in the Uk cant

            Any person that downloaded trent reznors pre release tracks from p2p should be in jail
            If you copied a mix tape for a friend in the 80's you are a criminal

            I'm not saying that we should prosecute everything else poorly, but I do think that we should treat the crime as it effects the victim and not how much money was stuffed congresses way by the lobbyists.


        • ksgant, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2No, you'd also be labeled a "sex offender"...forever.

          And we're talking about the US laws, not the UK ones. If you did that to a 12 year old, it's doubtful you'd survive long in prison as even the most brutal criminals in prisons totally frown upon pedophiles. And when you got out you'd be labeled a sex offender and would have to register with whatever community you live in...and all that info would be made publicly available to anyone. So there will probably be non-stop harassment from people. And if you can't take it anymore, you could move...but then you'd have to re-register as a sex-offender again and the whole thing could start up again.
    • cynicist, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7A felony for sharing a file? Insane
    • arjung, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3they disconnect the tubes.
  • zengonzo, on 10/10/2007, -0/+45Wait a minute .. they're monitoring his internet connection .. from a single terminal?

    Am I missing something or is that all too easy?
    • Tweekster, on 10/10/2007, -5/+1Yeah the monitoring software would apparently be installed on the targets computer...right....

      Digg down for being an obviously fake and stupid story.
  • Ozmotear, on 10/10/2007, -3/+35Run the Monitoring App under Wine.
    • byrdgang, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3What are the chances Wine supports this particular application? It's not like there is a wide demand for it. Even if there was a wide demand for it, the government wouldn't trust Wine. They'd think it's something he created to trick them or something.
      • lengau, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Have a virtual machine with monitoring app+proxy on it?
        Or a second machine with a no-options you-have-to-go-thru-this-proxy on it.
      • rabiddachshund, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Didn't you know? Computers run off of black magic and God gave the spellbook to Bill Gates.
  • IllBeBack, on 10/10/2007, -2/+27So why can't he just go to a friend's house? Is the government that stupid? Oh wait...
    • TheNik, on 10/10/2007, -7/+4Would you let an eFelon use your internet connection? Didn't think so. :P
    • byrdgang, on 10/10/2007, -1/+15Go to a friend's house for casual Internet use? I don't think so.
      • y0himba, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6I'm his friend, and he can use my Internet connection at any time.
      • pr5owner, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1hes free to use my wifi, oh wait im not in the crappy US with gay laws
      • YoshoKatana, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8fancy some casual internet use?

        bow chicha bow wow.
    • magus_melchior, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Well, he would, were it not for the new jewelry they strapped semi-permanently to his ankle (which is excessive and probably violates the 8th amendment).
  • MattTS, on 10/10/2007, -3/+15Run Windows in vmware with the monitoring software and the rest from the host OS? Or is it more complex than that?
    • championchap, on 10/10/2007, -0/+11He has to pay for a copy of Windows that he does not want. It's about that complex.
      • ksgant, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3meh...you can get that from any of the Bittorent sites out there.

        oh...um....wait a minute....
    • trogdoor, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2That would only monitor his actions from within the guest OS, so he would not be allowed to run anything on the host, to be allowed to run Linux he would have to do it the other way around, run Linux as a guest under windows.
      • elipabst, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I think you're missing his point. The monitoring software running on windows in the VM would only report back that he's not doing anything malicious, regardless of whether he was or not (in Linux).
    • arkmtech, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5@trogdoor: Let's look at this more technically... If our government were able to monitor every action at the ISP level, why would they require additional monitoring software? The answer is, it's too big a mess for them to do so at the ISP level, so they don't.

      In essence, running Windows (a stripped-down, minimalist copy of 2k?) as a "guest OS" is a great idea, because the monitoring software will only see what's happening inside of Windows - Linux can then be configured to tunnel the TCP/IP & UDP packets for certain processes through SSH, while letting those for VirtualBox/Qemu/etc pass normally through the ISP.

      Perhaps I'm incorrect, though, in believing that so long as the baby gets it's bottle...
    • jawbreaker4fs, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2So now the poor guy has to buy Windows AND VMWare Workstation just to use something that's free (as in beer) in the first place?!

      Someone should start a donation pool for this guy to pay for all his new software.
    • UnstableMind, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1VMware Server is free. Also, VMPlayer is free. There's all kinds of appliances out there already.
  • sljepi, on 10/10/2007, -20/+3ooooooooooooo the huge friggin manatee. What a horrible punishment! Booooooooooooo FRIGGIN hooooooooooo
  • CujoQuarrel, on 10/10/2007, -9/+6Run Linux virtual under windows.
    • FallOutBoyTonto, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Why not run Windows virtually under Linux¿
  • Username222, on 10/10/2007, -14/+9This administration makes me want to hurl.
    • byrdgang, on 10/10/2007, -4/+9This has nothing to do with Bush.
      • Xizer, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5"This has nothing to do with Bush." That is not correct. I quote, from the article: "Unfortunately, thanks to the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act, some BitTorrent users are considered criminals these days, which means these unusual measures can be forced upon them." The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act, or FECA (more like FECES), is what allows them to do this. It was signed into law by George W. Bush in 2005. Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Entertainment_and_Copyright_Act
        • Xizer, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Why are you digging this byrdgang guy up? Bush signed this into law after it was passed during his administration.
        • LordofShadows, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1You guys assume that if some one else was in office the outcome would be different.
          • Koldkompress, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1If that person doesn't believe in Draconian IP laws, then yes.
            Not that it's my country, but what's Ron Pauls stance on IP?
    • Mothrog, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Uninformed morons like you are the reason we have a president like Bush.
  • DarkDragon, on 10/10/2007, -2/+31I think its obvious why they are forcing him to run windows... "NSAKEY" ring a bell to anyone?
    • cquinnd, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Then they could just have him run the NSA branded Linux distro, couldn't they?
  • Hitchhiker90, on 10/10/2007, -41/+6He's ditching linux, explain to me how thats a bad thing again. If anything he should be happy because he can now run the applications the rest of the world uses.
    • santaliqueur, on 10/10/2007, -3/+11Except the software that most of the websites you've visited use? Yawn.
      • TheNik, on 10/10/2007, -8/+3So Apache, PHP, Python, Perl, MySQL, RoR, and CGI don't have Windows ports?

        Now I have to re-learn everything!
        • mtekk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Yeah, but look at the Apache port for windows, it's pathetic.
      • legendxx, on 10/10/2007, -5/+3@santaliqueur

        ***** for brains
        Sk0t isn't running a production server from his computer
    • ToadLeg, on 10/10/2007, -3/+11That's a curious comment. I run both Linux and Windows. Most of the big programs that run on Windows have superior Linux equivalents. The ones that don't will often run as well as on Windows under Wine. What are the "applications the rest of the world uses"? Honestly, I'd like to know. And are you implying that Linux users somehow don't know about Windows and it's programs?
  • spookywarrior, on 10/10/2007, -2/+40What a joke! A felony for copyright infringement?? I suppose I should know this information by now, but it's still shocking that you can be screwed out of a successful above ground job for uploading a damn movie. How many politicians have music that they don't own? Or how many copies of Windows does our government use that it doesn't pay for??
    • NJank, on 10/10/2007, -0/+12"how many copies of Windows does our government use that it doesn't pay for"
      very few. pretty much every department pays big bucks to MSFT for volume licensing. MS products are the govt standard. Ain't it great.
    • NJank, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2dupe... bury
    • izomiac, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0"how many copies of Windows does our government use that it doesn't pay for?"

      Given how efficient the government seems to be at spending I'd guess around -50K.
    • anastrophe, on 10/10/2007, -3/+5ah, the 'other people are doing bad things, therefore it must be okay' defense. sheesh.
      • Travelsonic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1The old "I miss the point"... sheesh.
    • cynicist, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Well you can't possibly think the punishment fits the crime. They are screwing this guys life over for sharing a file. Why don't they just fine him?
      • mossblaser, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Yeh i mean windows is like a fine but I mean come on did they have to humiliate him?! Did they force him to enable clipit and the dog search charachter to?!
  • elvenseven, on 10/10/2007, -2/+31This reason alone makes me want to switch to linux.
  • BlueFalcon7, on 10/10/2007, -5/+19"In a society where ‘the punishment should fit the crime’, you can’t help but think that somewhere along the line there’s been a big miscalculation when regular citizens are turned into criminals for sharing files"

    great quote.
    • yevkasem, on 10/10/2007, -6/+13sharing files is one thing. sharing copyrighted movies before they even have a chance to be released in theatres is a little bit more complex. you can't "share" something that's not yours.

      crime: he misused the internet for illegal activity. punishment: have his internet activity monitored for a while. how does that _not_ fit the crime?
      • rabiddachshund, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3ankle bracelet.
      • magus_melchior, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Although I agree that uploading the movie before its theatrical release is definitely not kosher, most of us would probably agree that what he did doesn't warrant a 24/7 monitoring device attached to his ankle. He's not a serial killer or a rapist, and very likely NOT a flight risk.
  • astromodder, on 10/10/2007, -4/+16Can you say Windows 3.1
    • trogdoor, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9What does 3.1 have to do with anything?
      • byrdgang, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2It's less expensive? Maybe he should go for 3.1.
      • mtekk, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11It's probably the newest version that many on digg own a legal copy of.
        • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4acutally I have 3.11 & Win95 ... so :P

          then I ripped them off for 98, 2k, XP 2k3EE, and Vista.....
          Then decided that I'd rather go back to Linux than support Microsoft and its increasing amount of crapware

          So there you go... more is not always less :)
    • cquinnd, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5There was no internet access in Windows 3.1, you had to use a separate TCP/IP stack (trumpet winsock)
  • SteveCUBE, on 10/10/2007, -3/+15I'd move if I got ***** banned from the internet.
    • cquinnd, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Better move to a country without an extradition treaty while you are at it.
      • Kr4t05, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4I hear North Korea is beautiful this time of year.
    • crossmr, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Please go commit a felony and let us know outside of cuba and north korea which countries will allow you entry?
      • sirhomer, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1If you a dual-citizen like I am, it's not much of a problem. There is a few countries out there who fundamental purpose is to protect it's citizens from abusive governments.
    • srg13, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2I'd move if I lived in the USA...
  • sundancekid503, on 10/10/2007, -18/+17FTA: "It isn’t the fact that I have to be monitored that bothers me, it is the fact that I have restructure my life (different OS, different software on that OS)"

    -Anyone who refers to switching OS's as "restructuring their life" probably needs to just shutdown their computer and go outside for a while anyways. This will be good for you sk0t.
    • byrdgang, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9I was thinking along the same lines. But on the real though, switching OSes is a pretty big deal, and it does require a lot of work (it's not a 1-2-3 step thing - it's a major change in life).
      • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2they dont force you to worship Christianity in prison do they?
    • TheG2, on 10/10/2007, -15/+7"currently unemployed and relatively unemployable with the 2 felonies that they gave me."

      They gave him felonies? Please, he committed them. He's trying to sound like a Martyr, and his punishment is Windows? Seriously, you linux fanboys need to get a grip.
      • Sidzilla, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12Judge: Having been found guilty of mopery I sentence you to thirty days of Windows Vista!
        That could be a real deterrent!
      • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3sounds like you should get forced to run linux friend....

        Oh and also... those mix tapes in your basement, we're comin' for them ....
      • MechaFenris, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Considering he didn't make any money off the infringement, criminal copyright infringement is kinda steep... Of course, then again, I believe that the ***** in the government need to spit out the MPAA's collective pecker and learn who votes...

        Back in the good old days, you had to bootleg and SELL copies (thereby showing a monetary loss by the copyright holder) of something to get a criminal conviction. Copying it and sending it out over the tubes for no gain at all (personal financial, I mean) is tough to "squint" and see any monetary loss....

        Additionally, those who may disagree with me, I respect that... but one thing is certain... the copyright system in this country is broken. Broken badly.... Regardless of how one feels about copyright and infringement, the cartels have made it impossible to get any relief, and the public domain suffers... which was the intent of copyright in the first place... not to be a perpetual money-maker for something that doesn't die.
      • YoshoKatana, on 10/10/2007, -2/+4YOU need to get a grep.
  • ekravchenko, on 10/10/2007, -9/+3well, that sux. Moral of the story don't upload an illegal movie using bit torrent a few hours after it is released...
  • JasonCox, on 10/10/2007, -10/+2Pwnt.
  • mwang1999, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2How will they bar him from the Internet or using a PC, as the article states? Will they put a restraining order on every ISP or seller of PCs in America? How about Internet cafes?
  • KungFuJesus, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8If he was to run Windows in a VM under linux, wouldn't the virtualized windows be unable to detect what he's doing from his linux machine, while thinking that it's actually capturing everything?
    • dinostabOMG, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8Yeah yeah... but I wonder if the probation officer is sophisticated enough to realise that.
      • perogi21, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6He is now...
        • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2HOW THE FVCK .. can ' the probation officer [be] sophisticated enough to realise that'

          If the internets are a series of tubes?

          You'd expect stupidity across the board.
  • fliz, on 10/10/2007, -3/+13All questions of legal rationality and principle aside, I find making him use windows as part of his punishment extremely practical. It's like mandating a child molester ditch the windowless van and drive a geo prizm, with square wheels.
  • Synapse84, on 10/10/2007, -7/+13if i was him i'd release the "Monitoring program" (unless it's one already in the public) so people can probe at it...

    I'm a windows user, so i don't feel his pain, but forcing him to install software on his computer along with use an operating system he's unfamiliar with because the software doesn't support linux is stupid.

    hell... i'd be pissed if the government made me switch to linux in the same sence.
    • dbr_onix, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9Erm, annoying the people who are letting you use a computer instead of going to jail probably isn't the bestest idea ever..
  • yevkasem, on 10/10/2007, -15/+11"Unfortunately, thanks to the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act, some BitTorrent users are considered criminals these days, which means these unusual measures can be forced upon them. In a society where ‘the punishment should fit the crime’, you can’t help but think that somewhere along the line there’s been a big miscalculation when regular citizens are turned into criminals for sharing files."

    "some bittorrent users" = the ones who use bittorrent to share copyrighted content. not the ones who use it for legal purposes. no one downloading ubuntu iso's is going to jail.

    "are considered criminals": well they only broke the law, so i guess criminals wouldn't be the right word after all... oh wait...

    "unusual measures" = being punished for breaking the law. maybe we should reward them, is that the "usual" thing to do?


    whether or not you agree with the laws, you can't choose which ones apply to you. if movies are too expensive (they are), stop going to see them. that doesn't mean you can steal them - unless you are ok with breaking the law.
    • sinrtb, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1""unusual measures" = being punished for breaking the law. maybe we should reward them, is that the "usual" thing to do?"

      I disagree with this one. it is unusual as it is on the front page of digg and isn't known to happen often.
    • jubalharshaw, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Well - in civilised countries - copyright infringement is a civil matter, not a criminal one. Copyright infringement is not 'breaking the law' - it's breaking a contract.
  • superdoop9, on 10/10/2007, -4/+6I agree that copyright infringement probably shouldn't be a felony. I don't think that the government should have to adapt to him, he is the one that broke the law. But, they should offer a temporary license to use the software needed to moniter him, including Windows. It could be a temporary license that lasts until his probation or monitering stops. Otherwise use software that is compatible with something you can get free or low cost. I also think that people making comments should refrain from swearing so that others can feel free to read the comments without have to see words they are offended by.
    • dinostabOMG, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3O NOEZ WORDZ!!!!!!!!1111111
    • cquinnd, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Note: When you are on probation, part of the terms of your release are to pay back the cost of monitoring (such as with an electronic collar) and associated legal fees connected to the conditions of your release.
      It is not in the states interest to get a temporary license, since the state is not going to pay the cost of it either way.
      • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1so if you declare bankruptsy, and decide not to work the rest of your life.... do they let you free because you cant pay your tracking ?? :)
      • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1so if you declare bankruptsy, and decide not to work the rest of your life.... do they let you free because you cant pay your tracking ?? :)
    • spookywarrior, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Contrary to the main point of the article, the real issue at hand IS the fact that this crime is a felony and should not be as such.
  • xezique, on 10/10/2007, -4/+15Microsoft KB314458 to the rescue!
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314458
    "How to Remove Linux and Install Windows XP"
    • Pixelpaws, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10NOTE: Windows XP and Linux can coexist on the same computer. For additional information, refer to your Linux documentation.

      I had to try really hard not to laugh at that line...
      • Ademan, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1We'll micrososft sure as hell isn't going to tell you how.
  • digudown, on 10/10/2007, -4/+4He should run linux in a VM :)
    • digudown, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I am not sure why above comment has been dugg down? If he wants to use linux, he can run that in a Virtual Machine in this windows PC. The monitoring software would still be able to monitor all the traffic, and he would be able to enjoy linux.
    • mossblaser, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0I'd just virtualise the xp box as soon as the people leave the house and continue using linux, selectivley using the xp box as a proxy... If they visit, just reboot and look inocent :D
  • morchibby, on 10/10/2007, -7/+2Further proof that the US Govt. is f*cked up. It must be great living in the land of the free: Canada.
    • Soothsayer1, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Er..yeah, as long as you don't mind Gordon Lightfoot..Alanis..and..er..well, lets face it. Canada is really only famous for two things: Hockey, and being just north of the United States.
    • Mothrog, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Oh yes. The US government is oh so ***** up for giving a guy that pirated movies using the Internet the option of being off the Internet or being on a monitored connection. Cry me a ***** river.
      • Koldkompress, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1No, the US government is ***** because it's got LAWS against IP. If there is an IP dispute, settle it in a civil court, it shouldn't be a felony.
  • LordSlashstab55, on 10/10/2007, -6/+6I love my XP, but shame on the government. It's everyones god damned right to use whatever OS you wish.
  • mrmoen, on 10/10/2007, -4/+7How is he being forced to use Windows? If the guy wants internet during his PROBATION, he'll have to use their software. Otherwise he can go play XBox or whatever internet felons do when they aren't online.
    • Tweekster, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1um why would the monitoring software be on his computer?

      • msqueak, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1"sk0t was informed by his Probation Officer that he has to have special software installed on his PC so that the government can monitor his online activities." -FTA

        That's why.
    • loconet, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2He can't even play xbox, I bet the monitor software doesn't work on xbox either (it with having live and all will have to be monitored as well right).
    • GuyHitByTruck, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1He can either use Windows, or not use a computer at all. That's 2 choices right there. He's not being forced to do a darn thing. This whole article is just a bunch of whining: "I got in trouble and now they're making me use Windows! *sobs*" Don't get me wrong, I pirate as much as the next Digg user, but when you get caught, this is how it goes. Considering his former position with EliteTorrents, if anybody should have realized that, it'd be him.
  • EricJ2190, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7The tracking software runs on his box? All he has to do is use a Live CD, and they will never know.
    • Ravatar, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Until they recognize some interesting traffic coming from his network connection, which I'm sure they've tapped.
    • cquinnd, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2They may never know, there is still a chance they have other monitoring in place at the ISP.

      But it is a suggestion that takes a novel approach to the "problem".
  • phoomp, on 10/10/2007, -4/+8*Sooo* glad I don't live in a totalitarian state
    • elipabst, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4The irony of your statement is that as a non-US citizen, they can spy on your traffic all they want, so when you consider that huge portions of international traffic pass through AT&T controlled networks as well as the number of US-based root DNS servers, it's almost a certainty that they are spying on you with impunity.
      • DesuKN, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2This man is correct. There's a ***** ton of outrage over the US government spying on it's own citizens, but WE are being spied on more. But of course, them foreigners aren't important.
  • vonskippy, on 10/10/2007, -10/+8Boo hoo. Next time either don't break the law, or be smart enough not to get caught.

    As to all the morons advising him to break the rules of his probation over what OS he "should" use - get a ***** clue.
    • Travelsonic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Way to miss the point.


      The concept of punishment fitting the crime is a staple of the American legal system, and surely YOU of all ranters would be smart enough to... oh wait.
  • radiofrequency, on 10/10/2007, -2/+12Holy crap! Being forced to use Windows is cruel and unusual punishment!
  • MindTrigger, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8I'd like to know how it's constitutional to ban someone from the internet. That's sort of like banning someone from speaking, or reading books, isn't it?
    • jag164, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2He pleaded guilty to two felony counts. Though most of us agree that distributing movies should be a misdemeanor and not a felony, the law is what it is and he and his attorney knew the consequences. In the U.S., felony convicts may lose many of their constitutional rights such as voting. Some laws are *****, but be prepared to face the consequences when you knowingly break them. I'd like to sell beer on Sunday's, but I'd most likely have my store shut down if I did. So in answer to you question, it's not constitutional to ban someone from the internet unless they are a convicted felon.
    • crossmr, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2you've never heard of a gag order?
      Its not remotely the same thing. Lets not forget mitnick who was banned, and I believe old phone phreakers were banned from owning telephones and things like that. Like any crime if you use a specific tool to commit, they often will ban you from owning that tool.
    • Mothrog, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2Probably the same way it's constitutional to put someone in prison for committing a crime. You may want to try reading this mystical document called the Constitution which you don't appear to have any real knowledge of.
  • darrenpauli, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I refer to DarkDragon's comments - so all Windows versions have the _NSAKEY (or _KEY2) which is a backdoor to allow the National Security Agency to override OS security and access systems?
    I read that this has been re-verse engineered and can be removed, so would it now be considered redundant?
    http://web.archive.org/web/20000617163417/www.cryptonym.com/hottopics/msft-nsa/msft-nsa.html

    Journalists for Wired magazine wanted to find out whether the FBI would use keyloggers as part of their CIPAV set and whether they would use backdoors kept open and supplied by microsoft to deploy it. They couldn't get an answer.
    http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/07/thank-you-for-y.html
  • SniperSlap, on 10/10/2007, -7/+5This is ***** ***** and a total violation of his rights.
    • bstran, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1What rights?? He is a convicted felon. He can't even vote or own a gun.

      If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.
    • Tweekster, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0um he pleaed out.
      as part of probation/parole you have to accept certain things.

      are you really that stupid?
  • drunkendash, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5damn, no linux

    that is one fate i would not wish even on my very worst enemy
    • Koldkompress, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Sorry, but Balmer already uses Vista. =(
  • backwoodsbob, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3As I read the article he did plead guilty to the charges. The admission of guilt pretty well lets the authority tell you exactly what it wants done. I think he is getting off pretty easy considering the way others have been dealt with by the RIAA, cause I didn't see that the movie studio was suing him as well. Instead of bitching, if it was me, I'd be thanking my lucky stars.
    • maz2331, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Except most cases end in guilty pleas due to the extremely high cost of legal representation, and the fact that the courts will give a much higher sentence if you have a trial and are convicted. Plus, Federal prosecutors are known for continuing to charge people time after time after an acquittal until they get SOMETHING.
      I don't like socialized medicine, but socialized legal representation is something we should seriously consider. Give defendants an equal budget to the .gov in all cases.
  • Neo189, on 10/10/2007, -5/+7***** this government. We need a ***** revolution.
    • Mothrog, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Yes. We need a revolution because a guy that committed a crime has to follow a condition to be paroled. Those evil bastards.
      • Nossie, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1until they come for you ;) and then I'll laugh for not being in your *****-ry :P
  • Hewbie, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1their is like zillion internet enabled device how they gonna monitor his usage on them? pop-in Sony protected music cd install it rook-kit and bingo! bypass them lame monitoring :D using their tool against them
    • Koldkompress, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1While I understand and appreciate the first part of your comment, please explain the Sony bit. Inquisitive minds would like to know
  • f00z, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1He shouldn't have gotten caught...
  • BTime, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2No linux? So what's the problem?

    Seriously though, he'll have to do what most people need to do after being in business awhile. Adjust, Adapt, Achieve..
    The rest of the business world does this daily. It does suck that he has to do it on his dime, but that's the pain of getting
    busted.
    • kalamady, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0welcome to the united states of finances anything to make a penny, just think what they'd do to him if he had uploaded a series.... death penalty maybe? a free country indeed to tell someone what they can and cant do all the time. sorry to hear it skot. hope you win your upcoming battle.
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