F.A.C.T. demanding that BT Blocks site

[Scubbie]

I believe this is the first 'public announcement' of a site being blocked through the 'Digital Economy Act'. Whilst I would agree with blocking sites that promote paedophilia, spam marketing, computer hacking and terrorism, for example, I personally don't thank that this is a good use of resources:

BBC News - Film-makers seek injunction to block pirate site

[Pengwern]

Bit BigBrother really isn't it. It could end up like the Big-Firewall-of-China, with whoever has an issue about something blocking a site.

[Scubbie]

Bit BigBrother really isn't it. It could end up like the Big-Firewall-of-China, with whoever has an issue about something blocking a site.

µBigBrother don't you mean?

Of course there is one way in which everyone could easily circumvent these draconian measures:

Rent a Seedbox

If the Seedbox is in another country, then the UK government can't touch it. If that country doesn't have the same rules as the UK, then it won't be shut down either.

[Scubbie]

For anyone interested, Ofcom have finally relented and released the full document that details how they intend to go about getting the ISPs to block copyrighted material.

This was an FOI request and the full story can be followed here:

Uncensored version of "'Site Blocking' to reduce online copyright infringement - a Freedom of Information request to Office of Communications - WhatDoTheyKnow

A couple of lovely quotes to wet you appetites:

None of these techniques is 100% effective; each carries different costs and has a different impact on network performance and the risk of over- blocking.

All techniques can be circumvented to some degree by users and site owners who are willing to make the additional effort.

Doesn't this indicate that the whole process is acknowledged as a complete waste of time?

[Alan b]

Yes and I also read this as sites that are not supposed to be blocked could end up being so.

[Scubbie]

Yes and I also read this as sites that are not supposed to be blocked could end up being so.

Very true. It is mentioned further down the document that several thousand sites were blocked in a previous instance and this lead to a court case.

[Chug a Bug]

Rent a Seedbox

If the Seedbox is in another country, then the UK government can't touch it. If that country doesn't have the same rules as the UK, then it won't be shut down either.

Except that Newzbin is an nzb indexing site, not a BitTorrent one.

Doesn't this indicate that the whole process is acknowledged as a complete waste of time?

Almost certainly. If you're savvy enough to know about Newzbin then you'll know how to circumvent ISP blocking (as well as knowing that anyone with any sense never uses Newzbin anyway)

But I guess someone has to be seen to be doing something.

[Kona Owner]

Is this the one sky are now blocking?

[Scubbie]

Censorship=no freedom
No freedom = no chance to do something
No oppurtunity = no education
No education = no job
No job = no money
No money = no food
No food = starvation
No starvation = death

I have the right to exagurate about the rights people have to download copyrighted material, as these copyright trolls do too :P

Theft = Taking without consent
Taking without consent = No reward for making product
No reward = No incentive to make another product (in this case film or TV program)
No new product = Nothing for anyone to enjoy the privilege of viewing
also: No new product = Even more repeats as there is nothing new made

[Isitme]

No starvation = death

I would have thought the opposite would be the case, ie No starvation = Life.

Blocking this site has nothing to do with censorship. It is more like locking your door to stop yobs stealing your belongings. But as we all know, they have skeleton keys, so can get in anyway.