# "The thread was closed because file-sharing is illegal."
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [April 22, 2002, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923 "2002-04-22T04:17:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/41 "2002-04-23T15:05:35Z")
So what’s the best file-sharing software to use?
Hey look! An ice-cream truck! (points, runs)
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### Author:  [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/42 "2002-04-23T15:17:55Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by KneadToKnow \*
> **If you will re-read my post, I said that if you can’t live within the rules, you should leave. You seem more than capapble of living within the rules, even if you have some grumblings about them. I’m all for that, and I think you have every right to grumble about what you want to grumble about.**
KTK, I must admit that you’re right and I misread your statement - my apologies.
> [@](#):
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> **If you want to argue about the _internal consistency_ with which this rule is enforced, do so. But you can’t _rightly_ compare apples and oranges, unless the rule makers say you can.**
That’s a fair viewpoint, so that leaves us only to decide on which basis you can say to cases can be compared. The rule given on p2p thread closures before has always been it’s potential for illegal misuse. I’ve tried to give some examples of threads with subjects which have just as obvious a potential for illegal misuse. If you believe that those cases are, as you say, “apples and oranges”, I’d ask for your reasons.
> [@](#):
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> **Grumble all you want about it, it’s still their rules.**
Absolutely, as is only right. They pay for the hardware, and bandwidth. The mods do all the work moderating threads. The management of this board have the absolute right to declare rules as they see them, without doubt.
But I like to think they don’t mind people asking questions or making (hopefully valid) comments. Just because they’re gods to us mere posters doesn’t mean we can’t view then as kindly, benevolent gods 🙂
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### Author:  [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/43 "2002-04-23T15:24:24Z")
It’s like a variation on Godwin’s Law.
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/44 "2002-04-23T15:53:30Z")
Wow, this is going to get downright civil if we’re not careful, **Gary**. 😃
> [@](#):
>
> The rule given on p2p thread closures before has always been it’s potential for illegal misuse.
I was going instead by **TubaDiva** ’s more specific reasoning given above:
> [@](#):
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> As we wish our copyrights to be respected, we must also respect the rights of others.
In again reviewing the list of other threads you gave, I admit that the one on burning your own CDs would certainly be an “apple,” given this context. 🙂 However, I am perfectly willing to chalk this last remaining area of contention to a simple case of our different interpretations of which rule was broken.
> [@](#):
>
> Just because they’re gods to us mere posters doesn’t mean we can’t view then as kindly, benevolent gods 🙂
Truer words were never spoken. Amen.
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/45 "2002-04-23T15:59:46Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by SmackFu \*
> It’s like a variation on Godwin’s Law.
In case this term was new to anyone else:
[http://info.astrian.net/jargon/terms/g.html#Godwin\_s\_Law](http://info.astrian.net/jargon/terms/g.html#Godwin_s_Law)
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### Author:  [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/46 "2002-04-23T23:07:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> You posted a comment that you knew would attract flies, and you said so. You then try to backpedal at Mach 5 saying you didn’t really mean it.
Wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. A thousand times wrong.
He posted a comment knowing what the “standard” response would be. How, pray tell, would he know this? **Because this sort of thing has been dealt with before**. We know how the point-counterpoint goes when discussing the rules of the Boards. “I don’t like this rule for this reason” is usually responded to with “It’s their house, they make the rules”, which gets the response “I obey the rules, even if I don’t agree with them”.
Are you seeing how this goes? We are familiar with this. We know how this works. You, apparently, do not… and more apparently, you seem to have an ax to grind and are too cowardly to out-and-out say it.
In short, there is a difference between “anticipating a certain response” and “trolling for a certain response”. Gary did the former.
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### Author:  [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2002, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/47 "2002-04-24T09:39:53Z")
Speaking of “being here before”, one day we should have one of these discussions playing the opposing role. **SPOOFE** , I’ll declare how my country should instantly instate a right to bear arms and you can tell me how wrong I am, or something.
I’m bored of being typecast. I want to try something new.
pan
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### Author:  [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2002, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/48 "2002-04-24T09:49:42Z")
> [@](#):
>
> SPOOFE, I’ll declare how my country should instantly instate a right to bear arms and you can tell me how wrong I am, or something.
You fools! Haven’t you seen what’s happened in Russia?!? Or Rwanda?!? Their gun crime is skyrocketing, and all you gun nuts endorse it!! Besides, what use do you have for a gun that shoots three rounds per minute, anyhow? It’s not like you’re going to see three deer per minute! You maniacs, you wanna murder children?!?
::pause::
Hey, I can get to like this gig.
(Note: No, I don’t think everyone who is in favor of gun control acts that way… just the insane minority of 'em. :D)
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### Author:  [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2002, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/49 "2002-04-24T09:59:30Z")
Fair 'nuff. You’ve convinced me.
I guess that’s resolved then.
(Ho ho, gotcha)
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### Author:  [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2002, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/50 "2002-04-24T10:03:04Z")
Spoofe/Kabbes,
I thank you both for that - cheered me up no end.
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### Author:  [@Demosthenesian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demosthenesian)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2002, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/51 "2002-04-24T22:40:28Z")
Um… wait… while file sharing _can_ be used for the distribution of illegal content, so can any other form of file transfer. MP3 distribution online far, far predates Napster. From my BBS experience (and stories I’ve heard from people who have been pirating since the days of the commodore 64) the transfer of pirated software predates the widescale consumer adoption of the internet itself.
Heck, “legitimate” transfer utilities such as FTP clients are probably used more by pirates than anybody else (outside of the unix community, of course) since web downloads became de rigeur for the “proles” online, and I know that the most popular IRC channels have been, are and likely will be those that provide DCC file transfers (which are almost universally illegal). What’s the difference between IRC and Direct Connect, other than (arguably) a better interface on the part of the latter?
What determines legitimacy for discussion? Age? Popularity? The “P2P” label or the lack of such?
Anyway, to address the other issue… I like this board, and will remain as I don’t discuss file transfer programs here, but I am somewhat disappointed that free discussion is curtailed here because of the fear of legal action. Needless to say, that has caused some…problems… in the real world.
And I’m aware I’m jumping in late. Nobody can track everything. 😃
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### Author:  [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2002, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-thread-was-closed-because-file-sharing-is-illegal/104923/52 "2002-04-25T04:45:16Z")
Excellent points, Demosthenesian.
I’m sure that the Mods and Admins _do_ check to see the direction a thread is going before they close it down. My concern is that by saying “No threads about file transfer, since it’s illegal”, that would make some people afraid to ask legitimate questions about file transfer, concerned that they would break the rules.
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