Should downloadlinks for Ippo/Robbo be allowed again?

[bob]

I'm not actually voting since I could really go either way on this, but I thought I'd share my thoughts.

It's not clear to me from the charter why links should be removed. I gather the mods think it falls under item 5, "Are not of questionable legal status"

Yet the charter makes no provisions for linking. And I guess my personal opinion is what harm can it do to the forum? Links are not, in themselves illegal. The content they link to might be, but links are not content. At worst, it seems the forum might get a takedown notice. That doesn't represent danger either.

Hm. I guess that was rather one-sided. I don't have much to say for the other side except that I am quite capable of finding anything that gets removed from the forum. So, there isn't a huge downside to removing them either.

Here's the issue about links. Is it ok to post a link that takes you directly to a download for a pirated movie, or program? One that is _known_ to be an illegal copy? Posting a link only increases the level of piracy for that movie/program/etc.

[bob]

Hi Steve,

I really hope the moderation team will stand bold to its decision despite the outcome of the poll.

Though the can of worms is already open, CCC imho should not support those 'guys' by allowing direct links.

Regards,
Joerg.

Agreed.

So far you both are a minority

Based on what? Surely not the "poll results" where it is an almost certainty that the ones replying to the poll are a small minority of CCC members.

[Dr.Wael Deeb]

Perhaps, but I notice that those supporting it are in a minority when it comes to posting their support.

Well I guess that most are intelligent guys who don't want to be insulted and provoked for presumption of innocence...

Allowing the hackers, crackers and cloners plus their supporters to take over CCC should not be permitted under any circumstances.

You get fanatic. This sounds more like a persecution complex...

No,Graham is not like that Alexander and he's telling the truth....
Maybe we have different opinions regarding certain issues lately,but he's a decent guy and most important a good friend of mine....
Dr.D

[Alexander Schmidt]

So far you both are a minority

Based on what? Surely not the "poll results" where it is an almost certainty that the ones replying to the poll are a small minority of CCC members.

Yes, based on the poll.

I guess the people who are much interested in the question will answer. Many will not. It is likely that they don't care.

Of course I don't take that poll too serious.

[bob]

So far you both are a minority

Based on what? Surely not the "poll results" where it is an almost certainty that the ones replying to the poll are a small minority of CCC members.

Yes, based on the poll.

I guess the people who are much interested in the question will answer. Many will not. It is likely that they don't care.

Of course I don't take that poll too serious.

So a majority of a small minority should cause us to change our minds on this issue???

[Alexander Schmidt]

So a majority of a small minority should cause us to change our minds on this issue???

I don't expect one to change the mind because of a poll.

I don't want to attack the mods. I don't know what happens behind the curtains, and so I don't say your decission is right or wrong (from your point of view)

No flamewar please

[bnemias]

Here's the issue about links. Is it ok to post a link that takes you directly to a download for a pirated movie, or program? One that is _known_ to be an illegal copy?

I believe it's ok to do that, yes. In the end it's the user who will ultimately decide. Besides, just because something is known to be an illegal copy may not hinder someone who is ethical. If I'm thinking about backing up my DVD of Amadeus, I may decide it's simpler to just d/l it and rationalize the legality question based on the fact I already own the DVD. The studios argue this is still an illegal act (heck, they claim it's illegal to change the format or even decrypt the DVD you own at all). But that's never really been tested in court. And frankly, I make that choice on this subject sometimes hoping beyond hope the studios elect to come after me for d/l or convert content I already own. Of course it'll never happen, but I REALLY want to go to court on that issue.

Posting a link only increases the level of piracy for that movie/program/etc.

I don't agree with that at all.

[Graham Banks]

Here's the issue about links. Is it ok to post a link that takes you directly to a download for a pirated movie, or program? One that is _known_ to be an illegal copy?

I believe it's ok to do that, yes. In the end it's the user who will ultimately decide. Besides, just because something is known to be an illegal copy may not hinder someone who is ethical. If I'm thinking about backing up my DVD of Amadeus, I may decide it's simpler to just d/l it and rationalize the legality question based on the fact I already own the DVD. The studios argue this is still an illegal act (heck, they claim it's illegal to change the format or even decrypt the DVD you own at all). But that's never really been tested in court. And frankly, I make that choice on this subject sometimes hoping beyond hope the studios elect to come after me for d/l or convert content I already own. Of course it'll never happen, but I REALLY want to go to court on that issue.

Posting a link only increases the level of piracy for that movie/program/etc.

I don't agree with that at all.

Of course, there's the charter to consider:

Once a member gains access to the message board, he may read all messages and post new or response messages with the proviso that these new or response messages:

1. Are, within reason, on the topic of computer chess
2. Are not abusive in nature
3. Do not contain personal and/or libelous attacks on others
4. Are not flagrant commercial exhortations
5. Are not of questionable legal status.

[bnemias]

Of course, there's the charter to consider:

Graham, that's what got us here. Please catch up! :)

[Graham Banks]

Of course, there's the charter to consider:

Graham, that's what got us here. Please catch up!

Just pointing out that the charter prevents the allowing of posting download links to pirated material, so it's a no-brainer for the mods.

Cheers,
Graham.