SCOTUS asks US government for its view on $1 billion Sony v. Cox case.
The Supreme Court signaled it may take up a case that could determine whether Internet service providers must terminate users who are accused of copyright infringement.
This is insane. If this was to be ruled in favor of, it could be used to stifle dissent just by saying someone violated copyright. Fucking dangerous shit, and shouldn’t even be considered, which is probably why they’ll rule that it’s totally cool to do.
It’s gonna suck when my work gets shut down when someone starts torrenting on the Wi-Fi.
You mean accused of torrenting?
Especially when you’re considering that anyone who has ever shared a meme has engaged in minor copyright violations.
It doesn’t seem in the ISPs interest to pursue, they would just lose customers. Unless they also provide cable/satellite television services.
That’s the beauty of the government. They can shape others’ interests by wielding the power to shut people down and lock them up and fine them.
Should gun manufacturers be liable for user’s murders? No? Then fuck off and leave ISPs alone…
Thats not a good comparison, guns are designed to kill (whether good or bad, legal or illegal)
ISPs or internet has quite a lot of other uses than piracy.
Your intent is right, but the example is wrong…
Nah, it’s a great example, for exactly the reason you said.
The argument for holding gun manufacturers liable is BETTER than the argument for ISPs, so if it doesn’t work for gun manufacturers, it DEFINITELY doesn’t work for ISPs.
Yes, tho
Really? I’m very much for strict gun control, but do you really think if a person kills someone with a hammer (or a knife, or a spoon), the manufacturer of the murder weapon should be liable for that?
I think it would be funny, if that’s what you’re asking.
I mean… Guns are made to kill shit… Its only function is kill or gravely mame. You’re not rebuilding your house using bullets, or carving your Thanksgiving turkey with an extended magazine.
Not saying gun manufacturers should be liable, but you understand the difference between “product designed to kill quickly and effectively, end masse, used to kill” and “product designed to perform useful life function used to awkwardly, and inefficiently kill” right?.. Right?
Just because you hold gun manufacturers liable for how their product is used, doesn’t mean you have to hold apple orchards liable if someone grinds to thousands of apple seeds to poison someone with arsenic. We are allowed to make distinctions based on reasonable intent. You get that right?
Like, we can ban butterfly knives and switch blades but not chefs knives, because while both are just sharp angled pieces of metal, one is designed for kitchen utility and one is designed for concealment and stabbing.
No, guns serve the majority of their purpose not by being fired but by sitting there being ready to be fired.
A person can buy a gun, carry it, fire it zero times, and benefit enormously from that interaction. That can materially improve their life and safety.
This is a little abstract so it can be hard to grasp, but the gun serves a valuable function perfectly well in the moments it is not being fired. The gun’s job, in those moments, is to be capable of firing. Introducing the potential of those other use cases, is itself a use case.
If that’s true then why is there so much more gun violence in the US? Other countries with strict gun laws don’t seem to have an issue with a deficit of guns sitting around ready to be fired.
If I remember correctly switchblades being banned in many US states is just a moral panic thing from the 1950s and did not serve any real purpose whatsoever.
Yeah dude found the absolute worst example to try to support his argument. Knife laws make absolutely no sense
Guns are also for providing food, for conservation, for recreation, for self-defense (really the only good force equalizer against a stronger attacker which is great for women, minorities and the disenfranchised), and also as a general warning against the threat of tyranny.
If we punish manufacturers for bad uses, should they be rewarded for every time someone does something positive with a gun?
You’re not rebuilding your house using bullets
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ramset-MasterShot-0-22-Caliber-Powder-Actuated-Tool-PAT-40088/202046595
This is not a counter argument, just a funny observation.
Is Southwestern Bell liable for what I say on the telephone?
Let’s also make the government liable for criminals using the roads.
I’m kind of interested in where criminals are getting this “currency” that enables their dirty black market activities.
Should car manufacturers be liable for drunk drivers, stolen cars, distracted drivers etc?
That’s a little different. I think auto manufacturers should have regulations that help protect drivers when they’re not driving at their best. Things like seat belts are a simple example.
That’s a little regulation, not liability or mandating control of the product’s use.
This is a tough one since there is no clear “this side is owners and the other side are just worthless regular citizens we don’t give a fuck about.” Both sides of this one are owners. SCOTUS must really be in a bind here.
so blurry, in fact, you see comcast on both sides.
Might as well extend this to cell phones. Should providers be liable for everything that’s said over those calls?
What about, please hear me out, what about gun manufacturers?
How about envelope makers?
I honestly don’t know what an insane court would rule either way.
Should a swordsmith be responsible if I cut someone?
Are you from Toledo or 1200 BCE?
Both actually
