Ashcroft Equates File Sharing To Terrorism, Drugs And Corruption

from the yeah,-okay... dept

It’s been rumored for a while that the Justice Department was looking to start helping the entertainment industry defend their outdated business model, and here it comes. Attorney General John Ashcroft is now saying that the FBI will begin cracking down on intellectual property violations. Showing just how far out of touch he is, Ashcroft claimed that the FBI’s fight against intellectual property misuse “must be as forceful and aggressive and successful as our response to terrorism and violent crime and drugs and corruption has been.” Of course, I’d imagine that plenty of people would laugh at the idea that any of those responses could be categorized as a “success.” In fact, with many of them, you could make a credible case to call them dismal failures. Chances are, though, Ashcroft is right. The war against file sharing will be just as successful. In other words, a ton of our taxpayer money will go into fighting it, but the end result won’t do a damn thing to stop what they’re trying to stop. Personally, if we have to be throwing money away on such bogus “wars,” there are plenty that belong well above the list before reaching file sharing.


Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “Ashcroft Equates File Sharing To Terrorism, Drugs And Corruption”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
7 Comments
Mike (profile) says:

Re: And Your Solution Is?

This wasn’t a political statement. If you read Techdirt, you should be aware by now that there are very few politicians on either side of the aisle that I agree with. I’m sure the situation is going to get worse either way.

The solution is for someone to knock some sense into politicians, so they realize that this is a business model issue that the market will settle — and not one that somehow needs government protection.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: so frustrating

the idiocy that our government (both parties) is inflicting on our freedoms is horrid.

it just makes me sick… Not the get up and do something sick, but the “Bugger it to hell, nothings gonna change anyhow, i might as well accept it sick.”

all i see are erosions of freedom. Never rebuilding of freedom.

Brian (user link) says:

Re: Re: And Your Solution Is... a reexamination of pol

Maybe I misread the original post, but what I think he’s getting at is that some may see voting for Kerry as a way to force a change of attorney general. While I think there are a lot of similarities between the two candidates, in theory a new administration would at least examine the issue again. Whether or not they come to the same conclusion is unknown.

Dragonman says:

Hit 'em where it hurts

The only way to get the entertainment industry to pay attention and *maybe* change their business it to hit them where it hurts: in the bottom line. Don’t like the RIAA tactics? Quit buying their member companies’ products and get your friends to do the same. I refuse to buy any music from any company associated with the RIAA and haven’t bought any new CD’s for a couple of years. I listen to my current collection or the radio.

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

A weekly news podcast from
Mike Masnick & Ben Whitelaw

Subscribe now to Ctrl-Alt-Speech »
Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...