legalish question: copyright

[Deleted]

People still download illegally?

I think they only sue of you get warned they're onto your ass and don't smarten up.

[teflep]

They do but was notice via email.? There is some malware causing some of these to go out so be careful if it came this way.

[lilibet]

A coworker got a letter from her cable company b/c her daughter's bf lived with them for a while and he illegally downloaded a movie (Ted, I think). They were threatening a big ass fine and cancellation of service. She called and explained who did it (he didn't live there anymore) and they let her off with a warning.
So I guess they do go after people but are willing to work with you apparently.

[EllieArroway]

Yes they sue, but usually only after several warnings. I know they recently sued a 12 year old kid for something like $600,000 and won. So it definitely happens, and I think in that case the parents were held responsible.

I would tell the person to take it seriously (assuming it's a legit warning) and stop downloading illegally and they will probably drop it.

[StrawberryBlondie]

I know people who got several notices threatening a huge fine and cancellation of service.

I don't know anyone who actually has been sued for it but I'd take the letter seriously.

[ESF]

Yes they still sue people for this. I have no idea what the process is, and how hard they will be will depend on the circumstances, amount of movies, etc. But it's definitely done.

The bigger fish are the people that purchase pay per view events over ordinary cable, and then air them in restaurants and bars without the commercial license to air the event. Those are the people that really need to worry because the penalties there are huge and can destroy the entire business. Companies like Joe Hand Productions hire people whose sole job it is to visit every Mexican restaurant in town on days that big soccer matches air, and make lists of each and every one that show them, then they compare to their records, and get sued in federal court for astronomical amounts.