Sunday, August 26th 2007

Court Orders Convicted Pirate to Dump Linux and Use Windows

by
zekrahminator
 Discuss (59 Comments)
Well, it looks like another pirate has been convicted and thrown in jail. However, Scott McCausland, ex-administrator of the Elite Torrents Bit Torrent tracker, has a rather peculiar sentence to serve. After pleading guilty to 'conspiracy to commit copyright infringement' and 'criminal copyright infringement', the court gave him five months in jail and five months house arrest. Under the condition that he follows his parole officer's orders, of course. Those orders were simple: McCausland must let the FBI watch his every online move. In order for that to happen, McCausland must dump Linux for Windows in order for that to happen. McCausland claims that this is cruel and unusual punishment, as it means he will have to buy expensive software while he is unemployed.
Source: The Inquirer

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59 Comments on Court Orders Convicted Pirate to Dump Linux and Use Windows

#1
russianboy
dude, what country is this in?

whatever that country is, it should be nuked.
Posted on Reply
#2
Weer
What if it was Russia?
Posted on Reply
#3
russianboy
russia doesn't have copyright laws.
Posted on Reply
#4
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
maybe sweden or switzerland? thats harsh.
Posted on Reply
#5
mas0n
He lives in the US.
Posted on Reply
#6
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
our govt is very backwards
Posted on Reply
#7
pt
not a suicide-bomber
mas0nHe lives in the US.
NUKE IT!
Posted on Reply
#8
mas0n
Our legal system certainly has it's flaws. Regardless of how you feel about file-sharing I think it's just plain cruel that he is now a felon. That means he cannot EVER vote in any public election or hold a public office, he is disqualified from 90% of apartment & condo leases, his work possibilities are similarly diminished, and who knows what government lists he is on now.

He should have to forfeit any profits he made from his crime and that should be the end of it.

The movie he posted online pre-release grossed $849,997,605 in theaters despite his distributing it for free...
Posted on Reply
#9
pt
not a suicide-bomber
mas0nOur legal system certainly has it's flaws. Regardless of how you feel about file-sharing I think it's just plain cruel that he is now a felon. That means he cannot EVER vote in any public election or hold a public office, he is disqualified from 90% of apartment & condo leases, his work possibilities are similarly diminished, and who knows what government lists he is on now.

He should have to forfeit any profits he made from his crime and that should be the end of it.

The movie he posted online pre-release grossed $849,997,605 despite his distributing it for free...
hw should move to a non pain in the ass country who doesn't care much about piratary :D
Posted on Reply
#10
russianboy
also known as Russia, you can buy pre=cracked warez on CDs in shops all over the cities, even in the Moscow airport they sold HL2 for $5!
Posted on Reply
#11
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
russianboyalso known as Russia, you can buy pre=cracked warez on CDs in shops all over the cities, even in the Moscow airport they sold HL2 for $5!
that is because the russian govt doesnt want any of its citizens supporting US industry.
Posted on Reply
#12
niko084
Use windows is simply cruel and unusual let alone the having to buy it... OMGZ!!!!
Posted on Reply
#13
erocker
*
Dude, I wouldn't touch a computer if some government told me they were watching my every move and I had to use Windows.
Posted on Reply
#14
yogurt_21
lol thats like convicting someone of criminal speeding and telling them they have to dump their chevy for a kia. I'd say that's cruel and unusual.
Posted on Reply
#15
GLD
If you can't do the time (or the punishment) don't do the damn crime! If it illegal, and you do it, and you get caught, and you have to suffer the consequences, it's your own damn fault. No sympathy from me. :shadedshu HaHa, serves him right!

I have never used torrents. IMO you would be advertising to the authorities you are a pirate. You don't think they keep an eye on the peoples that use that kind of software/service? Well they do, duh. This guy got busted.
Posted on Reply
#16
3991vhtes
GLDIf you can't do the time (or the punishment) don't do the damn crime! If it illegal, and you do it, and you get caught, and you have to suffer the consequences, it's your own damn fault. No sympathy from me. :shadedshu HaHa, serves him right!

I have never used torrents. IMO you would be advertising to the authorities you are a pirate. You don't think they keep an eye on the peoples that use that kind of software/service? Well they do, duh. This guy got busted.
I agree. People feel for him and say it's cruel but yet he does the illegal things and gets caught. He diserves it! plus windows is better than linux TBH.
Posted on Reply
#17
niko084
3991vhtesI agree. People feel for him and say it's cruel but yet he does the illegal things and gets caught. He diserves it! plus windows is better than linux TBH.
your fired..... :slap:
Posted on Reply
#18
Unregistered
well, even if it is illegal, he should be given a fine and some jailtime, not this crap. and, the authorities usually have a hard time figuring out who is doing this, because of fun little programs like peer guardian.
Posted on Edit | Reply
#19
niko084
bassmastawell, even if it is illegal, he should be given a fine and some jailtime, not this crap. and, the authorities usually have a hard time figuring out who is doing this, because of fun little programs like peer guardian.
I think some people here are taking this wrong because of the catchy headline...

He is not being "Forced" to use windows... He was told that if he wants to use a computer his actions have to be monitored the software only runs properly on "windows"... This is a VERY common practice for people involved in large computer related crimes, some are not allowed to use a computer at all.

As it says also he is doing jail time.

As goofy as it sounds he does make a good point in the end, funny but good.
Posted on Reply
#20
strick94u
Someone should send him a hacked version of xp.

Which of course I am glad none of us have.
Posted on Reply
#21
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
yeah none of us have cracked xp :p

this is dumb flee to another country fuck that windows only shit stupid cali beaurocrats making up laws b/c hollywood isnt making the bazillion dollars they want
Posted on Reply
#22
niko084
cdawallyeah none of us have cracked xp :p

this is dumb flee to another country fuck that windows only shit stupid cali beaurocrats making up laws b/c hollywood isnt making the bazillion dollars they want
Ditto and Ditto........

None of us would every dream of modifying our operating systems... I mean that would make MassiveShaft mad...
Posted on Reply
#23
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
i have XP PRO corp edition if you catch my drift :D
Posted on Reply
#24
niko084
cdawalli have XP PRO corp edition if you catch my drift :D
Ya me too.... But I do own "a" copy of XP Pro..
Posted on Reply
#25
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
niko084Ya me too.... But I do own "a" copy of XP Pro..
well your 1 step ahead of me


as for my copy i got it from a company (who will remain nameless) as the upgraded from ME apearently they were having bug issues :roll: so that bought a ton of shared keys i just copied the disk and voila XP PRO for me :D
Posted on Reply
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