Posted on 12/04/2007 8:16:21 AM PST by SubGeniusX
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) recently released a software toolkit designed to help universities detect instances of potentially illegal file-sharing on school networks. The toolkit is based on the increasingly popular Ubuntu Linux distribution and includes the Apache web server as well as custom traffic monitoring software created by the MPAA. Although the toolkit was previously available from a web site set up by the MPAA, the software was removed last night after the organization's ISP received a DMCA takedown notice from Ubuntu technical board member Matthew Garret.
Many of the components in the Ubuntu Linux distribution, including the Linux kernel, are distributed under the General Public License (GPL). The GPL is an open-source software license that broadly permits modification and redistribution of software but requires distributors to make the source code available to third parties and publish their changes. Licenses like the GPL, which require distributors to make source code available, are referred to as copyleft licenses. Distributing software licensed under the GPL in binary format without making source code available to end users is a violation of the GPL and constitutes copyright infringement.
According to Garret, several attempts were made to contact the MPAA before a takedown notice was sent directly to the ISP. "MPAA don't [censored] with my [censored]," wrote Garret in a blog entry. "I did attempt to contact them by e-mail and phone before resorting to the more obnoxious behavior of contacting the ISP."
Although the MPAA's failure to comply with copyright law in this case is a delicious irony, it won't permanently prevent distribution of the antipiracy software toolkit. The MPAA will likely make the software available for download again after figuring out how to adhere to the stipulations imposed by the GPL. The most straightforward way to resolve the problem would be to post a notice next to the download link that provides contact information and affirms willingness to provide the source code upon request.
As we noted in our recent coverage of the now-resolved Asus Eee GPL infringement controversy, GPL violations are generally the result of negligence or misunderstandings rather than willful intent to misappropriate intellectual property. When companies distribute products in violation of the GPL, they often remedy the problem as soon as they are informed of the legal implications, which is why GPL infringement lawsuits are very rare.
The MPAA, which has consistently lobbied Congress for stricter penalties on copyright infringement, will likely take some much-deserved heat for this embarrassing gaffe. Our call requesting comment on the story was not immediately returned.
I noticed the sun was shining a bit brighter this morning...
PING!
Hey, if the RIAA can sue middle-class individuals for hundreds of thousands of dollars over a few songs, I’m sure Ubuntu’s people should be able to sue the RIAA for a few hundred billion.
I mean, comparing assets and income of the defendants, it would be proportionate.
Must be a retard, hoist on his own petard...
SWEEEET!
Not quite in the spirit of “ubuntu,” but what can one expect from the MPAA!!??
Thanks SugGeniusX. I was going to post this yesterday, but at that time I only had a link to a blog. The supposed standardbearers of copyright have shown again that they really don't care about copyright, only their own profit, and are perfectly willing to violate copyright if it fits their needs.
If the MPAA wants to take that route, then maybe I can post a bunch of movies on a web site and through other means and ignore all the MPAA lawyers' letters telling me to take them down. Then I'll use that defense when the MPAA sues me into bankruptcy.
Do you think it'll work?
Of course not. In this copyright-abused world, the content companies think they're the only ones with copyright protection.
Me too but I thought it was all the snow weve been getting..
Could be that ... we just got a few inches
(saw you are a Buffalo Boy)...
Just got back into my office from ice skating on lunch (Fountain Plaza - Key Bank Towers)... (I'm 2 doors down from Shea's as we speak)
how long have you been out of WNY?
also add me to the OSS and Tech Support Ping Lists please...
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