File Sharing

I have previously written about the record industries assault on people who they believe are illegally copying their materials. Although I do believe that peer to peer file sharing is something that is wrong, and should be regulated. I just don't think there is a good enough solution out there at the moment. Up until now the only solution has been for record companies to exert their power and money through frivolous lawsuits against people who are most likely sharing files and stealing music, but there is really no hard evidence that would be sufficient enough in court for the record companies to win.

However, now in California lawmaker's are trying to curb the instances of file sharing, and also the frivolous lawsuits by record companies. The idea is to require all people who are sharing files through peer to peer sharing to be required to publish their real name and address' when sharing copyrighted files with other people. If you do not publish your information you would be subject to a 2500$ fine and up to a year in jail.

I think if this law is passed in California it would be a good experiment to see if it really stopped people from sharing copyrighted materials. If it were me, and I was forced to publish my personal information like that then I would stop sharing files in a heart beat. Since not only is your personal information out for the whole world to see, but the record companies would have no trouble linking you back to file sharing since there is a paper trail right in front of that that leads right back to your front door.