Anti-Piracy Company Illegally Spied on P2P Users
Written by enigmax on March 17, 2008The organization responsible for privacy protection in Italy has declared that Logistep has been operating illegally. The Garante della Privacy says that the anti-piracy company breached the privacy of thousands of P2P users when it tracked and reported them to media companies. It has 14 days to cease and desist.
Right across Europe, Swiss anti-piracy tracking outfit Logistep has been gathering information about alleged file-sharers and selling it to copyright holders. They then use the information to make a business out of threatening legal action against file-sharers in order to get cash ‘compensation’.
Currently there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of people in the UK being threatened due to the data Logistep gathered for the Two Worlds, Dream Pinball 3D and Colin McRae cases. Across Europe, Logistep has tracked tens of thousands of P2P users, hammering Germany and Italy in particular.
In January 2008, on the back of a European Union statement that IP addresses should be regarded as personal data, it was declared that Logistep breached Swiss privacy laws when it spied on P2P users. It was ordered to stop collecting data about them.
Now, in what could be the beginning of the end for Logistep, the ‘Garante della Privacy’ - the Italian organization for data protection and privacy - has declared that Logistep has been acting illegally by spying on P2P users without their permission. In summary, the decision is based on the following points, all related to privacy breaches:
1. It is illegal for a private company such as Logistep to monitor the activities of P2P users on the Internet.
2. The use of P2P software is limited to communication with other P2P clients for the purposes of sharing files. Such software cannot be used for monitoring P2P users.
3. It is illegal to monitor users without their permission. None was requested, nor granted.
In conclusion, the Garante della Privacy has ordered Logistep to delete the data they collected about Italian P2P users by 31st March 2008, as it was gathered illegally.
This news will come as a huge relief for Italian P2P users as they have been aggressively targeted by Logistep. Many thousands of users received threatening letters demanding payments for up to 400 Euros, some of them for sharing a single song.
Now that it’s been decided that Logistep itself was committing the offenses (in many locales, data protection offenses are criminal in nature), it will remain to be seen if people have any chance of getting their payments back, or intend to take legal action themselves against Logistep for a breach of their privacy.
Those affected by this on-going saga in Germany and the UK will take encouragement from this decision. One guy involved in the UK Dream Pinball 3D case told TorrentFreak: “There is no way I’m paying now, 100%. Two countries have said that Logistep are breaching privacy laws so i’m going to take my chances. See you in court boys!”
Previously: LimeWire Store Opens for Business
Next: Ron Jeremy Takes on Porn Pirates
69 Responses (Add yours or TrackBack)
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[quote comment="313433"]i’m not sure whether i’m a genius or a retard when t see things this way…
digital media is essentially made up of 1s and 0s arranged in a very specific way.therefor digital copyrights only applies to the whole and complete file,and not part of the incomplete file,ie,the very unique and specific way those 1s and 0s are laid out….
as far as i understand,my utorrrent only downloads the bit and pieces of a file all the time,ie,randomly arranged 1s and 0s,and maybe 2s somtimes,which is why i had lots of hash fails.the point is,how can anyone claims using p2p constitutes illegal downloading and copyright infringing?
we r just downloading meaningless 1s and 0s.
it is only illegal and copyright infringing once we had re-arranged the 1s and 0s we’d downloaded in a way that is identical to and/or resembles the copyrighted 1s and 0s.
then,and until then,we are innocent.
copyright infringment,or the act of copyright infringment can happen only after we had click “install” or “play” to the downloaded bits and bytes.
my point is,how can any1 determine that without going into our home and based it on the mere fact that we use some program to get random,useless 1,0,0,11,0,1,1,01,?
even the f.b.i. could’nt charge all those ped-0-files unless they can decrypt/unscramble thier hard drive to find the [u kno what]porn.
until then,they are just some sick man with randomly arranged 1s and 0s on thier hard drive……innocent.
that’s the best defence for p2p i think……or i’m just another ace hall ?[/quote]
I believe it is better to allow for an interpretation of the letters in the law. If there is no error margin anymore it will only get worse. We just need to make the better arguments - which we have.
[quote comment="313433"]i’m not sure whether i’m a genius or a retard when t see things this way…
digital media is essentially made up of 1s and 0s arranged in a very specific way.therefor digital copyrights only applies to the whole and complete file,and not part of the incomplete file,ie,the very unique and specific way those 1s and 0s are laid out….
as far as i understand,my utorrrent only downloads the bit and pieces of a file all the time,ie,randomly arranged 1s and 0s,and maybe 2s somtimes,which is why i had lots of hash fails.the point is,how can anyone claims using p2p constitutes illegal downloading and copyright infringing?
we r just downloading meaningless 1s and 0s.
it is only illegal and copyright infringing once we had re-arranged the 1s and 0s we’d downloaded in a way that is identical to and/or resembles the copyrighted 1s and 0s.
then,and until then,we are innocent.
copyright infringment,or the act of copyright infringment can happen only after we had click “install” or “play” to the downloaded bits and bytes.
my point is,how can any1 determine that without going into our home and based it on the mere fact that we use some program to get random,useless 1,0,0,11,0,1,1,01,?
even the f.b.i. could’nt charge all those ped-0-files unless they can decrypt/unscramble thier hard drive to find the [u kno what]porn.
until then,they are just some sick man with randomly arranged 1s and 0s on thier hard drive……innocent.
that’s the best defence for p2p i think……or i’m just another ace hall ?[/quote]
No sir, I didn’t steal your car, it’s just a random bunch of atoms that just happen to assemble into your car :D
[quote]
Swiss anti-piracy tracking outfit Logistep has been gathering information about alleged file-sharers and selling it to copyright holders. They then use the information to make a business out of threatening legal action against file-sharers in order to get cash ‘compensation’.[/quote]
They illegally collected data on filesharers, then used that data to extort money from them through terrorism(Yes, sending letters that boil down to “give us X amount of money or we’ll see you in court” qualifies in spades).
Mmm… Wholesome!
What slays me is that heinous criminals like Logistep have the audicity to brand *filesharers* as… Well, heinous criminals, when sharing an MP3 is *way* further down on the list of serious crimes than illegal data collection, extortion, and terrorism.
I wonder if Logistep are proud of themselves for breaking far more serious laws than filesharing ever will? To think, these stooges consider themselves the “good guys”. Seriously, what an upsidedown little world they live in.
o w n e d
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WO42s0r2LNU
[quote comment="313446"][quote comment="313433"]i’m not sure whether i’m a genius or a retard when t see things this way…
digital media is essentially made up of 1s and 0s arranged in a very specific way.therefor digital copyrights only applies to the whole and complete file,and not part of the incomplete file,ie,the very unique and specific way those 1s and 0s are laid out….
as far as i understand,my utorrrent only downloads the bit and pieces of a file all the time,ie,randomly arranged 1s and 0s,and maybe 2s somtimes,which is why i had lots of hash fails.the point is,how can anyone claims using p2p constitutes illegal downloading and copyright infringing?
we r just downloading meaningless 1s and 0s.
it is only illegal and copyright infringing once we had re-arranged the 1s and 0s we’d downloaded in a way that is identical to and/or resembles the copyrighted 1s and 0s.
then,and until then,we are innocent.
copyright infringment,or the act of copyright infringment can happen only after we had click “install” or “play” to the downloaded bits and bytes.
my point is,how can any1 determine that without going into our home and based it on the mere fact that we use some program to get random,useless 1,0,0,11,0,1,1,01,?
even the f.b.i. could’nt charge all those ped-0-files unless they can decrypt/unscramble thier hard drive to find the [u kno what]porn.
until then,they are just some sick man with randomly arranged 1s and 0s on thier hard drive……innocent.
that’s the best defence for p2p i think……or i’m just another ace hall ?[/quote]
No sir, I didn’t steal your car, it’s just a random bunch of atoms that just happen to assemble into your car :D[/quote]
and after u ground off/modified the chassis/engine serial number,there’s nothing he can do other than call the police and wait for the investigation/court works….really.
[quote comment="313322"][quote comment="313273"]I am Swiss myself, I share LOTS of files over P2P and I never got anything for it. Maybe Logistep doesn’t even “care” about Switzerland itself, but is more interested in getting money in other Countries.[/quote]
First off, I love Switzerland, and think it is ideal/near-ideal in many, many ways, plus I love skiing and chocolate:)
Perhaps you haven’t been threatened, because you are far far FAR from the only P2P user in the country, and they limited themselves to threatening only a few thousand a week for a couple of years?[/quote]
With around 7 Million people living in Switzerland, I’m pretty sure I’d at least know someone who knows someone who was threatened. I don’t.
[quote comment="313433"]…
as far as i understand,my utorrrent only downloads the bit and pieces of a file all the time,ie,randomly arranged 1s and 0s,and maybe 2s somtimes,which is why i had lots of hash fails.the point is,how can anyone claims using p2p constitutes illegal downloading and copyright infringing? …
[/quote]
True enough; even better? though is the OFFsystem: check it out!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owner_free_filing_system
[quote comment="313446"][quote comment="313433"]…
digital media is essentially made up of 1s and 0s arranged in a very specific way.therefor digital copyrights only applies to the whole and complete file,and not part of the incomplete file,ie,the very unique and specific way those 1s and 0s are laid out….
[/quote]
No sir, I didn’t steal your car, it’s just a random bunch of atoms that just happen to assemble into your car :D[/quote]
No sir, a mysterious being scanned the position of each atomic particle in your car; that data was then randomly transferred a few atoms’ worth at along different paths which ultimately ended up at my place, and where my lazer printer collected the info and used it to instantly generate a full-scale copy of your car;
I didn’t really STEAL your car.
I mean, you still have yours, right?
and, at no point did I actually transport away any identifying PARTS of the car, let alone the car itself…
Copyright should only apply to hard real world items witch it was made for. It is not compatible with the digital age, If you use virtualizations you commit copyright infringements due to crappy interpetation of how copyright laws should apply for the digital world.
You copy something on your desktop with 2 clicks and viola 400 euro less in the pocket..
Its so messed up so why even bother with it? I dont care shit about copyright anymore because its the most illadapted laws ever..
Star trek replicators aint so far away as some might think, all they need to figgure out is how to put together atoms in desired formations easy and viola, put a cube of atoms in a machine and out comes anything you like. What a field day for copyright carebears when that day comes!
Screw Canada. Europe is looking more and more attractive everyday.
@33
Lol, very nicely put!
@33
Lol, nicely done!
[quote comment="313446"][quote comment="313433"]i’m not sure whether i’m a genius or a retard when t see things this way…
digital media is essentially made up of 1s and 0s arranged in a very specific way.therefor digital copyrights only applies to the whole and complete file,and not part of the incomplete file,ie,the very unique and specific way those 1s and 0s are laid out….
as far as i understand,my utorrrent only downloads the bit and pieces of a file all the time,ie,randomly arranged 1s and 0s,and maybe 2s somtimes,which is why i had lots of hash fails.the point is,how can anyone claims using p2p constitutes illegal downloading and copyright infringing?
we r just downloading meaningless 1s and 0s.
it is only illegal and copyright infringing once we had re-arranged the 1s and 0s we’d downloaded in a way that is identical to and/or resembles the copyrighted 1s and 0s.
then,and until then,we are innocent.
copyright infringment,or the act of copyright infringment can happen only after we had click “install” or “play” to the downloaded bits and bytes.
my point is,how can any1 determine that without going into our home and based it on the mere fact that we use some program to get random,useless 1,0,0,11,0,1,1,01,?
even the f.b.i. could’nt charge all those ped-0-files unless they can decrypt/unscramble thier hard drive to find the [u kno what]porn.
until then,they are just some sick man with randomly arranged 1s and 0s on thier hard drive……innocent.
that’s the best defence for p2p i think……or i’m just another ace hall ?[/quote]
No sir, I didn’t steal your car, it’s just a random bunch of atoms that just happen to assemble into your car :D[/quote]
So if I were building a replica of your car you would call it theft, half wit? Besides, the point he was making was that if I had only half finished the chassis, on what basis could you call it theft when you have no idea what I’m building? You just ASSUME I’m replicating your car, but it could be any car, or a washing machine, or my own invention. Even if I did build a copy I’d be entitled to as long as I didn’t claim the copyright or sell it as my own idea.
You can’t steal copyright, even though your type act as if they have. Nor do we want it or care about it. All we have done is shared. Nothing has been stolen. even the original copies were bought and paid for. Also we pay the extortion fee on every blank disk, so who are the thieves really? Thieves can’t take the high moral ground and hypocritically call others thieves. Even if it were true, it doesn’t wash with anyone. We all see right through it.
[quote comment="313534"]Spying on criminals does not count, it is called security! I know you people don’t like that, but that is just what it is! You should all get jobs so you can afford to buy software! Ownership and honesty feels sooo much better.
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com/quote
I guess stealing from criminals doesn’t count either. So we can all rob you blind then, if we are thieves like you.
And who set you up as legal spies? You are the criminals for obvious reasons, but also because you have proven you act outside the law for the aforesaid reason, plus you affirm it when you claim it doesn’t count. What does the law say? Don’t know? Don’t care DO you?
[quote comment="313534"]Ownership and honesty feels sooo much better.
[/quote]
How the hell would you know? And who cares what it feels like? You’ve totally missed the big picture. I AM honest, and I do own it. Whether it’s fair use or not is still under dispute, and not a problem to me.
http://nikito.su/forum
[quote comment="313597"]And who set you up as legal spies? You are the criminals for obvious reasons, but also because you have proven you act outside the law for the aforesaid reason, plus you affirm it when you claim it doesn’t count. What does the law say? Don’t know? Don’t care DO you?[/quote]
What ? ? WTF does that even mean?
Great outcome and a sensible decision.
Privacy should be a more serious issue on the internet, what with all the internet banking , business transactions etc.
F*ck the RIAA etc. Privacy comes first.
E’ chiaramente una buona notizia, speriamo che non cambino idea ;)
Potete trovare più informazioni qui:
http://punto-informatico.it/2224659/PI/Commenti/Se-il-privato-intercetta-il-P2P/p.aspx
Ciao!
So, ho does this clyster feel, Logistep? Hope, you like it, because you deserve more of the same treatment and sure as hell you’ll get one for every man you tried to screw.
[quote comment="313446"]No sir, I didn’t steal your car…[/quote]
…because you still have it. And the fact that I somehow possess an identical one now is none of you business.
So you, pal, have failed miserably. As expected.
[quote comment="313597"]And who set you up as legal spies? You are the criminals for obvious reasons, but also because you have proven you act outside the law for the aforesaid reason, plus you affirm it when you claim it doesn’t count. What does the law say? Don’t know? Don’t care DO you?[/quote]
Like everyone who is heavily on crack you don’t make any sense at all. So STFU and go smoke another one. :-)
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