Friday, January 20th 2012
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MegaUpload.com Shuttered: One Month 'Black March' Media Boycott Slated For March 1st
Yesterday, the website of MegaUpload was shuttered for good by the US Department of Justice over copyright infringement aka 'piracy' and various criminal charges (see the domain seizure graphic). This was done regardless of the many non-infringing files that people were also using it for, so for anyone that had their only copy of a file on the site, this is very bad news. It's also arguably even worse news for the site's operators, as they have been arrested and face extradition from New Zealand to the USA for criminal trial, all their assets seized, including all the domain names and computing infrastructure to run them, plus many personal belongings of very high value, such as fancy cars like Maseratis and Rolls-Royces and huge 100 inch TVs to name just a few.
However, this story, isn't really about this and we have linked to reports below which cover this in great detail (hot beverage recommended). MegaUpload was one of the biggest file sharing sites out there and in fact, one of the biggest sites out there, period. This means, that an awful lot of people all around the world have very much noticed its sudden demise (especially those with their only copy of a file, because they didn't bother to back it up, tsk) and are met with that highly unwelcome Department of Justice graphic, instead. Hence, the chances of an almighty backlash against this shutdown not happening are slim to none. In fact, Anonymous have already hit the websites of the DOJ, RIAA, MPAA & HADOPI (French three strikes) and others in retaliation, with likely much more to come, which is good or bad, depending on one's point of view and how effective one believes it will be.What's of much greater interest here however, is the call for a truly massive boycott of all media products, but crucially without pirating them. Started yesterday by an anonymous user with a graphic at imgur.com and comments on reddit, it calls for a 'Black March' protest for the whole of March over efforts to censor the internet with bad laws such as SOPA & PIPA and the heavy-handed closure of sites like MegaUpload, which will be made child's play with these laws in place. Ordinary citizens are encouraged not to buy any media products whatsoever during this month: "Do not buy a single record. Do not download a single song, legally or illegally. Do not go to see a single film in cinemas, or download a copy. Do not buy a DVD in the stores. Do not buy a videogame. Do not buy a single book or magazine." The idea is to "leave a gaping hole in media entertainment companies' profits for the 1st quarter, an economic hit which will in turn be observed by governments worldwide as stocks and shares will blip from a large enough loss of incomes."
And finally, the statement of intent: "We will not tolerate the Media Industries' lobbying for legislation which will censor the internet."
That's right, the bottom line - profit, lots of fat profit - is the only thing that these companies understand, so this kind of totally legal voting with one's wallet, but crucially without pirating, is the one thing that this reporter has been saying for some time to do and it's heartening to see that it's going to be used as a protest strategy. Extending this protest far beyond March would be way better and more effective, too. Watch out for the statements of denial by Big Media in the press as the protest starts, while it's in progress and afterwards when the financial accounts have been presented, complete with big holes showing in their profit margins.
REFERENCES
The Black March banner can be downloaded at imgur.com/pPDak
MegaUpload shutdown story, at TorrentFreak.
The full text of the DOJ indictment, at the Los Angeles Times. (Long attention span required)
Much more readable summary of the DOJ indictment, at TorrentFreak.
Details of the fancy goods seized can be seen at c|net.
Websites attacked by Anonymous reported by c|net here and here.
The MegaUpload DOJ takedown banner can be viewed in all its original 'glory', at the defunct website: www.megaupload.com
And finally, try viewing this happy-sounding music video/advert for MegaUpload without at least a hint of sadness or a tear in your eye (users who lost their only copy of a file will no doubt be crying their eyes out by the end of this).
However, this story, isn't really about this and we have linked to reports below which cover this in great detail (hot beverage recommended). MegaUpload was one of the biggest file sharing sites out there and in fact, one of the biggest sites out there, period. This means, that an awful lot of people all around the world have very much noticed its sudden demise (especially those with their only copy of a file, because they didn't bother to back it up, tsk) and are met with that highly unwelcome Department of Justice graphic, instead. Hence, the chances of an almighty backlash against this shutdown not happening are slim to none. In fact, Anonymous have already hit the websites of the DOJ, RIAA, MPAA & HADOPI (French three strikes) and others in retaliation, with likely much more to come, which is good or bad, depending on one's point of view and how effective one believes it will be.What's of much greater interest here however, is the call for a truly massive boycott of all media products, but crucially without pirating them. Started yesterday by an anonymous user with a graphic at imgur.com and comments on reddit, it calls for a 'Black March' protest for the whole of March over efforts to censor the internet with bad laws such as SOPA & PIPA and the heavy-handed closure of sites like MegaUpload, which will be made child's play with these laws in place. Ordinary citizens are encouraged not to buy any media products whatsoever during this month: "Do not buy a single record. Do not download a single song, legally or illegally. Do not go to see a single film in cinemas, or download a copy. Do not buy a DVD in the stores. Do not buy a videogame. Do not buy a single book or magazine." The idea is to "leave a gaping hole in media entertainment companies' profits for the 1st quarter, an economic hit which will in turn be observed by governments worldwide as stocks and shares will blip from a large enough loss of incomes."
And finally, the statement of intent: "We will not tolerate the Media Industries' lobbying for legislation which will censor the internet."
That's right, the bottom line - profit, lots of fat profit - is the only thing that these companies understand, so this kind of totally legal voting with one's wallet, but crucially without pirating, is the one thing that this reporter has been saying for some time to do and it's heartening to see that it's going to be used as a protest strategy. Extending this protest far beyond March would be way better and more effective, too. Watch out for the statements of denial by Big Media in the press as the protest starts, while it's in progress and afterwards when the financial accounts have been presented, complete with big holes showing in their profit margins.
REFERENCES
The Black March banner can be downloaded at imgur.com/pPDak
MegaUpload shutdown story, at TorrentFreak.
The full text of the DOJ indictment, at the Los Angeles Times. (Long attention span required)
Much more readable summary of the DOJ indictment, at TorrentFreak.
Details of the fancy goods seized can be seen at c|net.
Websites attacked by Anonymous reported by c|net here and here.
The MegaUpload DOJ takedown banner can be viewed in all its original 'glory', at the defunct website: www.megaupload.com
And finally, try viewing this happy-sounding music video/advert for MegaUpload without at least a hint of sadness or a tear in your eye (users who lost their only copy of a file will no doubt be crying their eyes out by the end of this).
122 Comments on MegaUpload.com Shuttered: One Month 'Black March' Media Boycott Slated For March 1st
Also, a special thanks to LAN_deRf_HA for posting the boycott graphic, here and for sending me the imgur.com link, which really made this article what it is.
Consider this one a team effort people! :toast:
I am one of those who believe that reporters’ opinions and news should be separate.
Otherwise, all our reporters would end up being just like Bill O’Reilly. You tell us what to think instead of just giving us the information and letting us decide. That's what a true journalist does.
That "Black Monday" thing is stupid. Here's what's going to happen. The people that take part in it are the people who will eventually get laid off because earnings are down.
Why don't they encouage people to write letters or call their government rep?
Now I'm all for hurting those in support of SOPA. Rip em a new one for all I care, but I'm not gonna hurt those who have been anti SOPA since day one.
just need to rewatch what i already have on my pc.
and let me get 1 thing right, people want to protest, fight against such laws etc. without hurting any innocents? if only that dream land could be real... its impossible, if you wanna hurt an industry or twist its arm to make it back off something dumb, you will hurt people working in the industry, thats a fact, inescapable fact, you cant have a revolution that is 100% peaceful, otherwise they wont listen.
My point is when you keep adding this and that and more and more just when do you stop ? When does it become a matter of freedom of speech or expression ? When they take this right away then it is too late ! My point is I want them to stop BEFORE it gets to this point ! But you think it is fine ? Just keep adding more laws on top of the existing ones ? Like this will do the trick ? When do you draw a line and say " This FAR NO FARTHER " ? I just do not get it . People are blind to this , till it really becomes a problem . Hey I say let them pass all them laws let them take every thing they can , I will help them spend there cash I will challenge them laws I will test them in the supreme court . This is America lets not forget this one fact . We the PEOPLE have rights we have a right to speak out against the Government and we have a RIGHT to challenge the laws that the Government passes ! It is in the constitution . But you call me a Knob why ? ( I don't even know what this means ) , Nothing could be farther from the truth . You may think that I am stupid ignorant or a noob . You have that right , See freedom of speech ! Hey it works , But what if within these back door laws being past you were brought up on criminal charges for Bulling me ? HMMM ... :ohwell::wtf::twitch: Sound crazy ? Well you know what there is a LAW that is on the books right now that could just very well do this . See freedom of speech is more at risk than you want to think it is . Just because you think that you are safe , You better think again . Freedom of speech is already being tested and taken away as well . But you do not see this new law as a threat to it nor will you . But it really is , It is just one more step one more LAW away from taking it all away . Just keep telling yourself every thing is fine , Stick your head in the sand , Turn a blind eye . It has worked for you for so long you know no other way ! Me I like a good fight ! I want less government control in my LIFE ! I do not need some suit dummy telling me I can no longer have a pop or a beer ! Or bacon and eggs ! Nor do I need them invading my privately built privately made LIFE ! I do not need them telling me what is right and what is wrong to the point that they invade every thing I do online in MY PRIVATE HOME ! FUCK THAT SHIT !
What I read from you here is a mixed message. You acknowledge copyright laws. Said (any) laws may be enforced when they are broken. MU is alleged to have broken copyright laws, and the long arm of the law has stepped in. The law is enforced and you call out for a hacker group? To do what? That doesn't make a lick of sense to me.
My understanding of a knob is the part above a tea bag.
i demand lower rates for cinema ><
paying more and more for remade movies, or new movies with graphics and 0 story or lore is just not fun.
Mass effect 3
Release date(s) NA March 6, 2012[5]
AU March 8, 2012
EU March 9, 2012[6]
JP March 15, 2012
Yeah i'd love to see people not buy or pirate that.
Street Fighter x Tekken
Diablo III (no defined release date but it is slated for QI of 2012 which would end with march)
Be just as effective as that Assassin creed 2 boycott or MW3 boycott in other words this boycott will set record sales for the series =p