Archive for May, 2005

U.S. Homeland Security Shuts Down BitTorrent P2P Site

Ten people suspected of involvement with the EliteTorrents webserver were served warrants by homeland security agents. According to the U.S. government agency, this is the first criminal enforcement action taken against violators of copyright law who use the BitTorrent peer-to-peer (P2P) file swapping software. The operation, codenamed D-elite, targeted administrators and content providers working through the EliteTorrents website.

In a statement released by Acting Assistant Attorney General John Richter, the government’s goal is “to shut down as much of this illegal operation as quickly as possible to stem the serious financial damage to the victims of this high-tech piracy–the people who labor to produce these copyrighted products,” He continued, “Today’s crackdown sends a clear and unmistakable message to anyone involved in the online theft of copyrighted works that they cannot hide behind new technology.”

For the record: I’ve never used BitTorrent, and I do not support software/media piracy. But is this really in the Department of Homeland Security’s jurisdiction?

I’m sorry, but I just don’t see how copyright violation is anything like terrorism. What’s next? Is there anything outside of the DHS’ boundaries?

I’ve been tracking sales numbers for Gemstone Publishing’s Disney Comics over the past two years (as reported by ICv2), and here’s what they look like:

Does this mean they aren’t selling? Nope. Just that they aren’t flying off the shelves in the first month… which is still stinky for a periodical whose sales mostly depend on retail stores.

The good news? Both Uncle Scrooge and Mickey Mouse and Friends got a boost in sales last month, and they’re still above “Archie and Jughead” numbers. Here’s hoping that sort of thing continues.

Please note: this chart is based on publicly available numbers, and does not display any “corporate secrets.” These numbers are only as official and accurate as ICv2’s monthly reports (read: “ballpark estimate”). Your mileage may vary.

We visited Trinity Reformed Baptist Church yesterday, and we think we may have found our new church home! The teaching was powerful (and rich in the Scriptures!) and the people were warm and hospitable (we were invited into a family’s home — spur-of-the-moment — for the entire afternoon). One hymn we sang (which this post’s title is gleaned from) brought me to tears:

Ye who think of sin but lightly
Nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the Sacrifice appointed,
See who bears the awful load;
‘Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man and Son of God.

(full lyrics
| midi)

• Humble Pie
• The Sacred Sandwich