Germany Sues 3,500 eDonkey Users

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

May 23, 2006, 4:57 PM

Calling it the "biggest single action against illegal file-sharing internationally," the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said Tuesday that 3,500 eDonkey users are facing criminal prosecution in Germany. The group was targeted for uploading up to 8,000 music files using the peer-to-peer network. Since 2004, Germany has cracked down on over 7,000 file swappers, averaging a settlement of 2,500 euros in each case.

Police searched 130 premises to gather evidence, the IFPI said, noting that each individual faces at least thousands of euros in fines. "The music industry has run numerous education campaigns aimed at audiences from parents to schools and internet users. Most people clearly know that file-sharing without permission is illegal - unfortunately it takes legal actions such as this make a real impact on behaviour," commented IFPI chairman John Kennedy.

Add a Comment (26 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Name (required):

E-mail (required):

Enter Your Comment:

By Dirrty_Harry

posted May 24, 2006 - 2:06 PM

dumb ****s still using p2p networks, most stupid thing u can do... EVERY1 WHO IS USING P2P NETWORKS SWITCH TO BITTORRENT NOW!!!!
(better quality, more files, cooler files, whole albums not s***ty quality single songs)
also i have yet to read an article about a bittorrent user getting sued... i think the first one got sued in china or summin a year ago but that was because the police cought him selling the stuff he downloaded ^^.
The RIAA and MPAA are sueing the site that distribute these torrents and not the users(for now)but they cant shut down all bitorrent sites so... they are just dumb!

In conclusion every1 use bittorrent... that way for my next download ill have more seeders :p

(any1 have any info on bittorrent users getting sued??)

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 24, 2006 - 2:23 PM

dumb ****s still using p2p networks, most stupid thing u can do... EVERY1 WHO IS USING P2P NETWORKS SWITCH TO BITTORRENT NOW!!!!

That's juts plain funny on so many levels...

You *do* realize Bit-torrent is a P2P network, right?

And as for getting sued...you under a rock when Apple went after the folks pirating OSX over bit-torrent?

Remember Suprnova? It didn't go down just becuase they got bored, ya know.

You're funny. You should post more.

Score: 0

By PatrynXX

posted May 24, 2006 - 7:28 PM

As far as I know Suprnova was shut down. But people who used it weren't nailed. P2P is one thing. torrents are another. Although I will disagree with the original. But it's easier to see who your sharing with on program based p2p networks like Kazaa or eDonkey. People are simply asking for it. Tis a lil harder to do on torrents, though not impossible. For now I'll stick with allofmp3.com for my music.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 25, 2006 - 9:01 AM

As far as I know Suprnova was shut down.

...under threat of lawsuit.

Didn't think I'd need to spell that one out.

Also: P2P is one thing. torrents are another.

P2P = Peer to Peer.

.torrent files transfer Peer to Peer. So P2P *is* torrent. They are one and the same.

Score: 0

By zik

posted May 24, 2006 - 8:59 AM

thank god i live in a country where this is unlikely to happen (at least it will take a long time to start)

Score: 0

By PC Rat

edited May 24, 2006 - 12:09 PM

...

"thank god i live in a country
where this is unlikely to happen"

...

Don't count on it, bub. File-sharers are being
hunted down all over the world like feral infected
dogs !

Best to turn yourself in now, serve your sentence,
and start living a decent life after getting out of
prison.

Don't make them come and get you. It's ~always~
worse.
...

The Computer Rodent

...

Score: 0

By mj132

posted May 24, 2006 - 10:23 AM

zik,

Which country might that be?

Score: 0

By PC Rat

posted May 24, 2006 - 12:12 PM

...

"Which country might that be?"

...

He lives in North Korea.

...

The Computer Rodent

...

Score: 0

By robertguda

edited May 24, 2006 - 10:06 AM

@zik

to my knowledge there are still a couple of countries that abide no law at all. now, how to go get those countries ? it is a good example set to start with the well to do and develloped countries, hopefully that will trigger some much needed change of mentality regarding the organization and implementation of laws that will function. maybe a worldwide cruzade against corruption ? (copyright protection makes sense and is not an issue of discussion, but rather the how and where and when and type of action to undertake)

Score: 0

By The Man

posted May 24, 2006 - 11:51 AM

" now, how to go get those countries ? "

um, what is that supposed to mean?

honestly, i think it's a little barbaric to sue your neighbor for sharing your ideas.(or songs)

and NO! copyright protection doesn't make sense the way it stands now.

example: i buy a game and beat it, i then loan it to my friend, and he beats it. have i just circumvented the copyright protection? could i have just copied it and gave it to him?(same difference) point being, the company that made the game just lost a potential sale, because i loaned it to my friend, and he didn't have to buy it.

don't expect other countries to persecute their citizens, just because you don't think they should share. arrogant pricks like you are why americans have such a bad name.

Score: 0

By PC Rat

edited May 24, 2006 - 3:15 AM

...

File-sharers, face it: You're hunted down all
over the globe !

Surrender now at the nearest police station.

This is your last warning !

Don't make them come and get you.

...

The Computer Rodent

...

Score: 0

By xprizex

posted May 24, 2006 - 2:46 AM

Why would the IFPI do the RIAA's dirty work? I mean these people have the greatest job in the world. What can be better than getting paid to sit around all day looking at porn? lol;-)

Score: 0

By CyberDoc999

posted May 24, 2006 - 12:47 AM

The gestapo is still alive and well in Germany.
Maybe Hitler really is alive?

Score: 0

By Paradise-FH-

posted May 23, 2006 - 7:56 PM

but where will i get my scheizer now?

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted May 23, 2006 - 5:34 PM

So...is IFPI now a villian "just like" the RIAA and MPAA?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 23, 2006 - 5:36 PM

Can't say I'd blame anyone for suing eDonkey users.

*grin*

Score: 0

By Scary Guy

posted May 23, 2006 - 6:15 PM

Do you work for the music industry or are you a lawyer?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 23, 2006 - 10:21 PM

Were you born an idiot, or is it something you've had to work hard all your life at?

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted May 23, 2006 - 8:09 PM

It's called sarcasm...

Score: 0

By thebigwee

posted May 24, 2006 - 12:00 AM

lol. Guess he didnt "grin" big enuff.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited May 24, 2006 - 8:45 AM

Bah. Damn BBcode code statements don't work fo' shiznit here.

Score: 0

By BlackTigerAP

edited May 24, 2006 - 11:34 AM

Interesting...

How many millions police spent to track those users?

Also 3500 "fools"?! eDonkey network has several millions users in each moment of time! Those 3500 "unlucky" was just a fools whos forgot to set "Do Not Share File List" to "true". This is revenge for stpudity.

Also... Never use official eDonkey client, developers works with "authorities" for long time!

Good luck! And SHARE MORE! RIAA MUST DIE!

Score: 0

By BlackTigerAP

posted May 24, 2006 - 11:39 AM

>>Maybe Hitler really is alive?

Ofcos he is alive! At least his "sons". They are heading organisations like RIAA.

PS: Why european police cares about american profits? This is a REAL question...

Score: 0

By BlackTigerAP

posted May 24, 2006 - 11:43 AM

How much is price for european police "care"? Per policeman, per department...

Nothing more do to? How about to track drug-trafik? What about "human traffiking", murders, thieft? Not profitable? Too difficult? "Internet sharers" are more important than murderers and drug-dealers!

This world going to hell...

Score: 0

By catfish182

posted May 24, 2006 - 12:13 PM

well at least they dont go after spammers. that would be horrible. I say after they go after the peer to peer then we go after every one that has loaned out a tape or a cd or a game. I dont mind these people going after the companies that host the peer to peer. that makes since. What dosnt make since is to do nothing to edonkey at all but go nuts on thier users? That is not fixing nothing.

Score: 0

By BlackTigerAP

posted May 24, 2006 - 1:51 PM

Next most profitable (for police!) "crime" after car parking...

This (western at least) world going to die...

Score: 0