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Travis Seitler is a twenty-something guy living in Marietta, PA with his wife and two kids. Since 2003 He's been writing here about God, government and comic books. You can read more about him if you really want to, and you're invited to drop him a line, like, whenever!

“Securing the Homeland against…” bootleggers?

Posted May 26, 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?

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2 Comments so far

  1. Anonymous on May 30th, 2005

    I dont feel this is the jurisdiction of DHlS. It just doen’t seem like it would fit the bill. No I do use pirated materials, but thats only untill I can save the money to buy em. It (for me) is like a try before you buy type of thing. Ans It may be a while before I have the money to buy the software, but thats because Im young and trying to make a living on my own. Now for someone who has the $$$ for extra things, it would be unethical to use this system and not make a purchase within the next 2 months of downloading the materials.

    CLS

  2. Travis on May 31st, 2005

    Now CLS, that just don’t make no sense. Your argument is basically, “it’s only theft if you can afford to buy it.” There are many ways to make a living that don’t require stealing software. =/

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