Archive for January, 2010

Vortex Network – Mac Tracker Nearing Its End?

Sunday, January 31st, 2010


It’s all the rage these days for private trackers to softly threaten their members into donating in order to keep the site afloat. This strategy isn’t entirely new, but the rising trend suggests that the onus is being shifted towards a majority of members who aren’t willfully donating. VortexNetwork, or "eye of the storm" is [...]

uTorrent Spreads Its Wings With Falcon

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

In all the years it’s been available, uTorrent hasn’t changed as much as it will with the upcoming release. Codenamed Falcon, the client will have an easier, more secure and more complete web UI as well as support for streaming and remote downloading.

Usenet Indexer Prepares For MPAA High Court Battle

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

In May 2008, Newzbin – considered by many to be the Internet’s premier indexer and .NZB provider – announced it was under legal threat from the MPA, the MPAA’s worldwide big brother. On Monday next week, the copyright infringement showdown in London’s High Court begins.

Net Neutrality Wont Prevent BitTorrent Blocking

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Ignited by the Comcast fiasco in the US, the concept of Net Neutrality has been brought into the mainstream resulting in planned government interventions. However, unlike the name suggests, Net Neutrality might not stop BitTorrent blocking and could leave us worse off than when this all started.

Neutralize UK File-Sharing Legal Threats – Join TalkTalk

Friday, January 29th, 2010

This week the condemnation of file-sharing “legal blackmail” lawyers ACS:Law has been widespread, with extremely harsh words coming from the country’s House of Lords. Despite this the law firm are unrepentant and say they will persist with their campaign. It is, however, possible to immunize your family from this growing threat.

Unique Topsite-Linked Service Provides Scene Releases, Not Torrents

Friday, January 29th, 2010


Scene Access – Coveted by many; enjoyed by few. While that statement isn’t entirely true, one of the most popular email requests we get here at FSF is from readers asking where they can find scene access. Our response is always the same: we can’t help you, not even point you in a vague [...]

3 Strikes Coming To The United States Via The Back Door?

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

“3 Strikes” is a regime being introduced in various countries around the world to try to deal with illicit file-sharing. Already Taiwan, South Korea and France are putting their versions of the plan into action and other countries have similar proposals under discussion. In one form or another, could the same be coming to the United States?

South Koreans Are World’s No.2 Music Pirates, Or Are They?

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

In 2009 South Korea introduced new legislation against online copyright infringement. Penalties were particularly harsh and included disconnection from the Internet. As digital sales skyrocket by more than 50% but logged infringements sharply increase, a report controversially places South Koreans as the world’s number 2 music pirates.

Anti-Piracy Scheme “A Scam & Legal Blackmail” Say UK Lords

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Several UK Lords have criticized the practices of law firms that send out warning letters to alleged copyright infringers demanding big payments. These schemes have been labeled a scam, and the lawyers operating them accused of “harassment, bullying and intrusion” and “legal blackmail” in the House of Lords.

Microsoft Sues Prominent BitTorrent Tracker For $43m

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

In conjunction with Lithuanian anti-piracy outfit LANVA, software giant Microsoft has sued the alleged operator of the country’s largest BitTorrent site. Microsoft is demanding $43 million from the defendant and his company for assisting in the illegal distribution of Office 2003 and 2007.