It’s getting harder and harder to be surprised about the MPAA’s silly tactics. So, surprise! The MPAA has successfully shut down an Ohio town’s municipal Wi-Fi network because one person was caught illegally downloading a movie. You know, peers and seeders and all that.
The Wi-Fi network was set up around the Coshocton County Courthouse located in central-ish Ohio. The network has been up and running for about five yeas now, and serves up to 100 people on a busy day. (Not that I have any idea of what would cause such a commotion in the town!)
The town’s commissioner said: “It’s unfortunate that one person ruins it for those who use the service legitimately.” Yes, and when some maniac stabs another person we confiscate everyone’s kitchen knives. Or when a drunk driver kills an innocent motorist the government comes around and takes away everyone’s car.
Collective punishment, anyone?
The MPAA’s nonsense really isn’t going to be challenged until our elected officials have an understanding of basic technology, which I don’t think will happen any time soon.
Might even take 20 years before the intellectuals that grew up with technology will call the shots.
Now that’s gonna cause one helluva shit-storm!
god dammit old people. go die already, or start understand TECHNOLOGY. if I ever become a xenophobic/technophobic luddite when I become old, I order a crunchgear reader or whatever the popular blog/tech information service of the time is, to come and bludgeon me in the head.
*understanding.
One (1) WAP was shut down that serviced one (1) block of the town. As much as I, too, want lawmakers to better appreciate technology, I’d also like geeks to take time to RTFA.
As others have pointed out elsewhere, the WAP was likely shut down because it’s easier to comply with a threat from lawyers than it is to take a stand. Not saying that’s right (it’s not, of course), but some poor schmuck had to worry about the possibility of losing his job…
Ugh, this is utterly ridiculous.