Have a .com web address? Know the legal risks

Have a .com web address? Know the legal risks.

-- Tom

 

Again USA screwing everyone all over the world . . .

 

^I wouldn't say everyone...
But it surely does look wise to simply avoid .com/.net/.org/.cc/.tv/.name/.jobs domain names if you're dealing with a site which might have to do anything with 'Hollywood'. Or the US music industry. Or music, movies or arts in general.
Whatever is perfectly legal in your own country can get your site taken down, and like a .com site hosting links, if you live in Great Britain, can get you extradited to the US.

Why not just use a local/national domain name to be on the save side because opposed to most other western countries, if you're charged in the US, you're 'supposed' to accept any offer by the prosecution which is based upon what you've been charged with.
To plea 'innocent' (even if you are) in a US court of law, is a very tricky option and it's something that's frowned upon by both prosecutors and even judges...

 

Here's the thing, we're unfortunately past "working around" the issue with other domain names (unless it's .ru or some other politically safe bet). They've proven enough that they'll go after you regardless if you live in a U.S friendly country and break any U.S law. And, don't forget, with ISPs becoming cops, even if you download something from a .ru domain as a U.S citizen, you're still screwed.

It would not shock me in the least if, behind the scenes, the U.S is quietly pushing..aka bullying, it's closest allies to report uploading and downloading of American music, movies and other materials to them. The whole thing is sad, yet hilarious. Sad in that there are far bigger issues both here and in the world than piracy..yet piracy is the one thing they are going all out and hardcore about.

Hilarious in that this all could have been relatively avoided had these industries kept up with change and technology, and changed their business models.

@Baserk: You're correct, 9 times out of 10 you will fare far better pleading out than claiming innocence. Unless your proof of innocence is flawless, you're asking for a a lot of trouble pleading innocent.