Are Torrent website listings coming to an end?

[quaxo]

From AFP through Yahoo News:

Partial quote (see link for complete article):

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - A TorrentSpy lawyer vowed Thursday to appeal a 110-million-dollar legal judgment against the website for directing people to unauthorized online copies of films and television shows.

Valence Media shut down its TorrentSpy website in March and filed for bankruptcy last week in the face of a lawsuit brought against it by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

The Los Angeles federal judge presiding over the case ruled on Wednesday that TorrentSpy should pay 110 million dollars in damages for its role in online piracy of copyrighted motion pictures and television shows.

"This substantial money judgment sends a strong message about the illegality of these sites," said MPAA chairman Dan Glickman.

On a side note, is it just me or does Dan Glickman look strikingly like the Penguin from "Batman Returns"? I've met him in person (he's from my home state and was friends with my grandfather) and can confirm that it's not just the camera that makes him look like that...

[Computer Hope Admin]

I'd have a hard time believing that this lawsuit will affect Torrent searches. The reason many of these win is because the website owners don't have the funds to defend themselves. If it's illegal for these sites to run then I guess it's also illegal for search engines and they should be shutdown.

Google's got a lot of custom searches setup for Torrent searches, e.g:

http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=003849996876419856805:erhhdbygrma

[Broni]

It'll never happen. Too many sites, too many servers. Even, if it would happen, there gonna be something else.
It all started with Napster, and simple songs. Look where we're now...

[quaxo]

I agree. For now anyway. I know there are some websites that have moved their servers elsewhere to keep just out of reach of the law. For example, I know of a website that has full downloads for various platforms (PDA, Smartphone, Windows, Mac, etc.) that are cracked or come with serial numbers. They host them on their website as well as link to other websites (like file sharing websites and such).

They stay in business because the website keeps a low profile, it's not easy to find if you search on Google, and their server is in China, where piracy goes pretty much unchecked.

[BC_Programmer]

torrent search engines I don't think are illegal- it's analogous to telling a person where the bank is and being held responsible if it is robbed...

[CBMatt]

torrent search engines I don't think are illegal- it's analogous to telling a person where the bank is and being held responsible if it is robbed...

But in a way, you're also giving them a gun and a sack.

[Dias de verano]

But there are lots and lots of legal torrents.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Like Linux.

[BC_Programmer]

torrent search engines I don't think are illegal- it's analogous to telling a person where the bank is and being held responsible if it is robbed...

But in a way, you're also giving them a gun and a sack.

Well I suppose- But wouldn't it break down like this:

Gun: Torrent Client
Sack: Hard Drive

So don't they already have them? Besides, even if that is a fair analogy, it is still completely legal.


Robber: Oh, hello sir. Do you know where a nearby bank is?

Passerby: hey I like your mask. There's one right over there. Why look the federal reserve truck just stopped by a few minutes ago.

Robber: Ok thank you.

Passerby: It's dangerous to go alone! Take these! A sack for holding rations and a gun to fend off marmots.

Robber: I don't think this sack suits my needs. Do you have any with a big $ on them?

[CBMatt]

Once again, my attempt at an analogy goes unappreciated.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Once again, my attempt at an analogy goes unappreciated.

I liked it...I thought it was very meaningful. 

[CBMatt]

Thank you, have some cake.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

mmmmmmmm......cake........

[BC_Programmer]

unappreciated, perhaps. understood? Yes. Can I have some cake now?

[CBMatt]

As soon as you explain to me what's so dangerous about going to this particular bank.  Is this Oregon Trail II?