Global treaty promises hard times for file sharers


IT SOUNDS much like any other yawn-inducing cross-border treaty. But the nascent Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) that's on the table at this week's G8 meeting in Japan may have far-reaching consequences. If it becomes international law, anyone who offers copyrighted files over the internet or downloads them may be labelled a criminal and forcibly disconnected from the net.

It's really sad to read some of this.
This international agreement could affect everything.
Your laptops and your mp3 players could be searched at border crossings now.

I certainly hope tax payer money doesn't get heavily used in such a debockle like this as it is used in "the war on drugs."

I always thought that once music and information were compressed bits and bites everything would change and it did.
Now the people who own the rights to the music and movies we watch and share want their money.
In a way I understand that,an artist should be compensated for their work,that is only fair.
But there are legitimate uses for bit torrent like free software ect.
I'm afraid if this international law goes into effect everything will be diffrent.

Artists make tons of money through other things too. Merchandise, touring...

Okay, seriously... I understand the motive, but sometimes... hell, MOST times... the government just gets involved where it should never go.

For example, (Not to detract from this topic, of course!)... this...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080724/ap_on_re_au_an/new_zealand_bizarre_names

Now, I agree... I've heard some pretty downright dumb names... but does any government establishment have ANY right whatsoever to dictate what we name our children?

Yes I agree,but this makes me ask what the hell kind of people are her parents?
I mean why not just name your child kick me for christ sake!
Those kinds of names can cause a child some serious harm,people are not as tolerant as we'd like to think.
I can definitly understand why the child never told anyone her name.