[Infowarrior] - Hysterical justice in the name of copyright enforcement

[Richard Forno]

Remember the guy who was arrested for uploading "Star Wars" a few years ago?
Check out the latest twist --- which is farcical on *so* many levels I don't
know where to begin.  ----rf

From:  http://techdirt.com/articles/20070822/221127.shtml

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He ended up getting arrested for doing so and eventually he plead guilty to
'conspiracy to commit copyright infringement' and 'criminal copyright
infringement.' For that, he ended up in jail for five months with another
five months of home confinement. The home confinement part includes an ankle
bracelet he needs to wear. I'd challenge the movie industry to explain how
this can possibly be fair, given the fact that there's almost no evidence
his actions did any real damage. However, here's where it gets even better.

As part of his home confinement, he agreed to install some tracking software
on his computer, so his probation officer could track what he's doing (and,
presumably, to make sure he's not uploading more stuff). Only problem? He's
an Ubuntu Linux user and the gov't doesn't have any tracking software for
Linux. So he's been told that he must use Windows for the term of his
confinement. He did plead guilty so he has to accept the punishment -- but
all in all it really does seem like the punishment is excessive given the
actual damage caused.