Seven Crimes That Will Get You a Smaller Fine than File-Sharing - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-20-2010, 11:29 PM

Thinking about file-sharing? Don't. You'll get fined, and crime doesn't pay (unless you rob banks and/or armored cars, then it pays very well). Take it from Jammie Thomas, who was fined $2 million for downloading 24 songs, or anyone else who tried to fight the RIAA.

Instead, try another crime, because plenty of them draw far lighter penalties than downloading Jason Mraz's latest. Thanks to the Mechanics blog at Gapers Block, here are seven crimes that will get you smaller fines than file-sharing:

1. Child abduction: the fine is only like $25000.

2. Stealing the actual CD: the fine is $2,500

3. Rob your neighbor: the fine is $375,000

4. Burn a house down: The fine is just over $375,000

5. Stalk someone: The fine is $175,000

6. Start a dogfighting ring: the fine is $50,000

7. Murder someone: The maximum penalty is only $25,000 and 15 years in jail, and depending on your yearly salary, would probably be far slighter a penalty that $2 million.

Seriously, murdering someone will result in a lighter overall penalty than downloading a bunch of songs and getting caught. Granted, you don't get shivved in the showers at home, but still.

http://www.prefixmag.com/news/seven-...ne-than/32033/

Family Ties Forever! · 01-20-2010, 11:44 PM

That's crazy. I think the penalty for that is way too harsh compared to the seven other crimes. What kind of message does that send?
Seems to me that it's greedy celebrities who demand to relish forever in so much money that they could go swimming in it!

All the crimes are wrong, but come on, $2 million dollars for downloading music. I have never done it. I guess it's a good thing that I have no interest in downloading music, movies, etc.

Sara Micelli · 01-20-2010, 11:51 PM

I call BS on that whole article.

browneyes106 · 01-21-2010, 12:42 AM

I think part ofthe reason there has been big push for fines for downloading music is mostly for the songwriters and producers whose work gets downloaded illegally and they don't receive compensation for their work. I think some fines are too extreme but I can see why the RIAA pushes for big fines. They aren't only thinking about the singers and bands. They are thinking about the other people who are working hard everyday in the music business.

Dr. Thong · 01-21-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I think part ofthe reason there has been big push for fines for downloading music is mostly for the songwriters and producers whose work gets downloaded illegally and they don't receive compensation for their work. I think some fines are too extreme but I can see why the RIAA pushes for big fines. They aren't only thinking about the singers and bands. They are thinking about the other people who are working hard everyday in the music business.

The RIAA couldnt' care less about artists, songwriters and producers. This whole "the artist isn't getting paid" thing is a joke, really. They represent the major record labels, who want to get paid. These labels have a history of screwing artists out of royalties and money rightfully due them.

The labels want what they feel is rightfully theirs. Whether or not artists, songwriters or producers get paid for their work is not their biggest concern, trust me on this one.

MickeyMac · 01-21-2010, 11:01 AM

I dont download music, and will never do so, but that seems way harsh a penalty.

TJL · 01-21-2010, 01:22 PM

What if you stole a CD while you're stalking someone at a music store you're about to burn down?

catlover79 · 01-21-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

What if you stole a CD while you're stalking someone at a music store you're about to burn down?

Good question!!

LuLu Rogers · 01-21-2010, 02:03 PM

Does Limewire count as file sharing?

Sara Micelli · 01-21-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

Does Limewire count as file sharing?

Yes. Limewire is one of the most popular file-sharing programs.

waichingliu81 · 01-23-2010, 08:53 PM

that's just messed up really- goes to show the music industry only care about making money, as opposed to help artists, bands, singers actually promote their work.

and yes, there are much worse offences than file sharing like rape, abuse, murder etc, and yet fines and sentences for those types of crimes are paltry.

i find all this scandalous and obscene.

ekkostar · 01-26-2010, 03:43 PM

The thing that most people don't realize that it isn't the downloading that you get in trouble for, it's the uploading. If you are redistributing the material on a file site like Rapidshare or Mediafire, you can get in trouble, but not the other way around. The law is really bent. People think you can get in trouble and bring the industry crashing down for downloading a leak of an album that doesn't come out for 2 weeks, but it doesn't work that way. I find that through downloading I've actually wanted to buy more music in physical formats.

As for stealing CDs, Best Buy employees still seem to think I'm going to shoplift CDs! At this day in age! Take a chill pill, chances are if I'm in the store, I'm actually there to buy a CD.

Superstar · 01-26-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

That's crazy. I think the penalty for that is way too harsh compared to the seven other crimes. What kind of message does that send?
Seems to me that it's greedy celebrities who demand to relish forever in so much money that they could go swimming in it!

All the crimes are wrong, but come on, $2 million dollars for downloading music. I have never done it. I guess it's a good thing that I have no interest in downloading music, movies, etc.

It's nothing to do with celebrities, it's to do with record labels, producers and songwriters needing to get paid.

MrCleveland · 01-26-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sara Micelli

I call BS on that whole article.

Second!

01-20-2010, 11:29 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Seven Crimes That Will Get You a Smaller Fine than File-Sharing Thinking about file-sharing? Don't. You'll get fined, and crime doesn't pay (unless you rob banks and/or armored cars, then it pays very well). Take it from Jammie Thomas, who was fined $2 million for downloading 24 songs, or anyone else who tried to fight the RIAA. Instead, try another crime, because plenty of them draw far lighter penalties than downloading Jason Mraz's latest. Thanks to the Mechanics blog at Gapers Block, here are seven crimes that will get you smaller fines than file-sharing: 1. Child abduction: the fine is only like $25000. 2. Stealing the actual CD: the fine is $2,500 3. Rob your neighbor: the fine is $375,000 4. Burn a house down: The fine is just over $375,000 5. Stalk someone: The fine is $175,000 6. Start a dogfighting ring: the fine is $50,000 7. Murder someone: The maximum penalty is only $25,000 and 15 years in jail, and depending on your yearly salary, would probably be far slighter a penalty that $2 million. Seriously, murdering someone will result in a lighter overall penalty than downloading a bunch of songs and getting caught. Granted, you don't get shivved in the showers at home, but still. http://www.prefixmag.com/news/seven-...ne-than/32033/
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-20-2010, 11:44 PM	#2
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	That's crazy. I think the penalty for that is way too harsh compared to the seven other crimes. What kind of message does that send? Seems to me that it's greedy celebrities who demand to relish forever in so much money that they could go swimming in it! All the crimes are wrong, but come on, $2 million dollars for downloading music. I have never done it. I guess it's a good thing that I have no interest in downloading music, movies, etc.
	__________________ Jenny

01-20-2010, 11:51 PM	#3
Sara Micelli Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,122	I call BS on that whole article.
	__________________ Formerly popcornperson2002. Some people come into our lives and quickly go.Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never,ever the same-source unknown. "Suicide sometimes proceeds from cowardice, but not always; for cowardice sometimes prevents it; since as many live because they are afraid to die, as die because they are afraid to live" -Charles Caleb Colton

01-21-2010, 01:22 PM	#7
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	What if you stole a CD while you're stalking someone at a music store you're about to burn down?
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

01-21-2010, 02:03 PM	#9
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	Does Limewire count as file sharing?
	__________________ -Lauren- "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."-Professor Severus Snape

01-21-2010, 12:42 AM	#4
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I think part ofthe reason there has been big push for fines for downloading music is mostly for the songwriters and producers whose work gets downloaded illegally and they don't receive compensation for their work. I think some fines are too extreme but I can see why the RIAA pushes for big fines. They aren't only thinking about the singers and bands. They are thinking about the other people who are working hard everyday in the music business.

01-21-2010, 11:01 AM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I dont download music, and will never do so, but that seems way harsh a penalty.

01-23-2010, 08:53 PM	#11
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	that's just messed up really- goes to show the music industry only care about making money, as opposed to help artists, bands, singers actually promote their work. and yes, there are much worse offences than file sharing like rape, abuse, murder etc, and yet fines and sentences for those types of crimes are paltry. i find all this scandalous and obscene.

01-26-2010, 03:43 PM	#12
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	The thing that most people don't realize that it isn't the downloading that you get in trouble for, it's the uploading. If you are redistributing the material on a file site like Rapidshare or Mediafire, you can get in trouble, but not the other way around. The law is really bent. People think you can get in trouble and bring the industry crashing down for downloading a leak of an album that doesn't come out for 2 weeks, but it doesn't work that way. I find that through downloading I've actually wanted to buy more music in physical formats. As for stealing CDs, Best Buy employees still seem to think I'm going to shoplift CDs! At this day in age! Take a chill pill, chances are if I'm in the store, I'm actually there to buy a CD.
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...