nsane.forums Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 A file-sharing prosecution that has been dragging on for six long years has finally come to an end. The original complaint, filed by the Portuguese Phonographic Association in 2006, targeted a then 17-year-old. Now 23, their target has just received a suspended jail sentence and a fine of 880 euros. None of this has helped the country’s music industry – physical product sales nosedived more than 34% last year. When the Portuguese arm of IFPI first decided to bring file-sharing prosecutions to the country, their aims would have been simple – to scare Internet users away from file-sharing networks and into the shops. It didn’t work out that way. Since 2006, the Portuguese Phonographic Association filed more than two dozen cases with the Attorney General’s Office. Only two bore any fruit at all – one in 2008 and another just over a week ago having dragged on for an epic six years. The case was brought against a then 17-year-old teenager who allegedly shared hundreds of songs online without permission. However, for “technical and procedural reasons” (read: lack of evidence), those claims were reduced massively and in the end it was decided he shared just three, a pair from local artists and ‘Right Through You’ by Alanis Morrisette. Now, the Lisbon Criminal Court has finally delivered its ruling in the case. For violating copyright, the now 23-year-old received a two month suspended jail sentence. The Court decided that since the man was just 17 at the time of the offense and has a completely clean record, the sentence should be changed to a fine of 880 euros – 640 euros plus 4 euros in lieu of each day not served in prison. After having made 40 similar complaints against file-sharers since 2006, the Portuguese Phonographic Association says it will now give up on the strategy. “At the time, it was believed that, in fact, through the application of existing law we could begin to control the problem of Internet piracy,” said Association president Eduardo Simoes. Current legal framework, Simoes added, can not cope with online file-sharing. Inevitably he is calling on the government to introduce new laws that do away with prolonged prosecution periods that reduce the deterrent effects of bringing cases to trial. What the Association wants is a “3 strikes” style arrangement whereby file-sharers are sent escalating warnings and eventually punished. As the local branch of IFPI, the Portuguese Phonographic Association controls 95% of recorded music in Portugal but it is currently facing a crisis. The Association reports that in the last decade profits have dropped by 80%, and in 2011 sales of physical products nose-dived 34.4%. Interestingly, in addition to blaming the piracy bogeyman and the economic crisis for these reductions in sales, Simoes also cites an undeveloped digital offering and artists’ growing tendency to self-publish as additional factors compounding the problem. Despite the apparent lack of legal support, Portugal’s movie industry say they are working hard to reduce piracy by other means. According the MPA-backed FEVIP, they shut down 302 local sites offering pirate material during 2011. View: Original Article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambrocious Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 He was fined 880 Euros for sharing just 3 songs? Perhaps those responsible for giving him this consequenece need thier heads examed..and a first class ticket to the insane asylum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digimon Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 He was fined 880 Euros for sharing just 3 songs? Perhaps those responsible for giving him this consequenece need thier heads examed..and a first class ticket to the insane asylum.well he had to pay a lot of legeal fees fighting it (plus 880 euros is over 1k in usd just for sanity sake)heck both sides probably spent who knows how much on legel fees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanon Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Lord, how stupid can you be???? “At the time, it was believed that, in fact, through the application of existing law we could begin to control the problem of Internet piracy,” said Association president Eduardo Simoes. Now, basically, this means the kid got screwed, and just about only him? -.- Morons. -.- I swear, there should be a stricter policy on WASTING A COURTS' TIME. I would proceed with the whole shite show, but then, even after rulling in favour of the company, make them pay a couple of millions to the state. It would bring them in line. Make them NOT prosecute every schmuck for "stealing" 3 songs. -.- Dumbasses. -.- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.