I'm not sure if this is a Coed topic or a Sandbox topic, so the mods can move it if they see fit. This case just came down 2 days ago. I'll spare you the reading of the story or the 26 page opinion, so here's a synopsis.
As you probably know, people are being sued at an increased rate nowadays for copyright infringement as it relates to downloading music, movies, games, or whatever else, off of the internet. Specifically, bit-torrents (file-sharing applications for those that don't know) are a very popular method of going about this. Tracing back an IP (internet protocol) address to the user of a bit-torrent service is quite easy with the service provider's help, and that is how many of these people pirating are (or were) getting busted.
In this case which just came down yesterday, a federal judge as ruled that using IP addresses alone is insignificant evidence to prosecute/go after copyright infringers. Basically, with so much technology to fake/switch IP addresses, wireless and remote networks, it has become virtually impossible to definitively say who is actually behind what computer and using which IP address/internet connection. I find no mention of the hobby specifically in this case, but I don't think it takes a genius to figure out that IP-tracing can be used to figure out who's who on a site such as this.
I find this case very encouraging, as it appears it puts up another road block before LE can trace-back, identify and arrest a person for something posted on any site, this one included. That's not to say they won't be able to do it, but it certainly appears some of their strongest evidence to at least start a case/investigation will be hard to use.
As always, if you're approached/apprehended by the police for any type of investigation, don't say shit, and you will be surprised how helpful it will be for you to stay out of any sort of trouble!
http://torrentfreak.com/judge-an-ip-...person-120503/
Important Legal Decision for Hobbyists/Providers
