bwana v.9 said:
The way I read it that article is more to do with the actual name Bit Torrent and people using it to spread spyware etc.
Blacklisting a protocol simply because it can be used for piracy is like banning cars because they can be used in the commission of a crime. More and more people are using torrents for legit purposes yet more and more ISPs are blocking their use.
Second paragraph "now that Cohen has created a company aimed at using BitTorrent to distribute movies and other media
legally, that unregulated software world is looking more worrisome."
I also agree with you that banning it because of Piracy is stupid. However I dont think I am mistaken when I say that 60%+ is all used for illegal downloading of programs/Movies/Music/etc.
Its also unfortunate that most of these people are what is effecting the use of torrents/P2P for everyone else.. and I dont think South Africa is far behind with regards to this and well its going to cause us all a lot of problems.
I see IS as blocking these functions as a way for them to protect their own interests from not only legal problems that might arise but others as well.
Its pretty much the same way in which Absinth was banned world wide from 1909 to 1915 because it became impossible to regulate what chemicals companies were putting into the drink( the wanted to get the most money the quickest way possible.. remind you of somebody), also because of the misuse of a few alcoholics who just couldn't get enough and abused the drink. Being high in Alcohol and drunk by many due to the wine shortage, the affects were worse than normal wine and many crimes where linked to its use (particularly Jean Lanfray after murdering his family).
It was banned and they just stopped its production completely. Until now when these things can be much better controlled and people understand more about alcoholism and the bans are slowly being lifted.
Unfortunately we dont seem to learn from past mistakes no matter how they are linked, and it is the rest of us who will have to suffer because of the arogance of the few alcoholics, and the stupidity of the law