3 Count: Mega Return

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1: Megaupload Is Dead. Long Live Mega!

First off today, Charles Graeber at Wired reports that Megaupload is preparing its comeback and has devised a system that it feels is “raid proof”. According to Megaupload’s founder, Kim Dotcom, The new service, which is named “Mega” will encrypt all files that are uploaded to it and the files will only be accessible via a key provided to the user after encryption. This will make it so that Megaupload, theoretically, does not know what is on its own servers. Megaupload was seized in January of this year and its employees, including Dotcom, were arrested in New Zealand. Dotcom and others are awaiting an extradition hearing in March that may see them sent to the U.S. to face charges here.

2: Internet Providers to Begin Warning Customers Who Pirate Content

Next up today, Heather Kelly at CNN reports that the Center for Copyright Information (CCI) has announced today that it will be rolling out the copyright warning system over the next two months. The rollout, which has been four years in the making, is the beginning of the so-called “six strikes” system in the country. The system, which is overseen by the CCI, is a voluntary program between major rightsholders and four of the largest ISPs, has been repeatedly postponed but the CCI says that warnings should start going out shortly. The CCI announced that it will be using MarkMonitor to spot illegal downloading on the ISPs services and will begin sending out warnings to IP addresses where suspected piracy is taking place soon. Though each ISP will have a slightly different system, account termination is not a possible outcome though some accounts may be throttled and slowed if they ignore piracy warnings.

3: First NZ Three-Strikes Case Falls Through

Finally today, Juha Saarinen at IT News reports that Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) has withdrawn the first case to go before that country’s tribunal as part of its new “Three Strikes” regime. As part of the new regime eight people have been identified as continuing file sharing after having received their third warning. Of those eight cases, only one opted to go before the tribunal with the others choosing to resolve the metter via correspondence. RAINZ initially refused a settlement offer but withdrew the case after the suspected file sharer sent a response to the tribunal via her attorney. The woman, a student living in a shared flat, said that she never received the first notice and did attempt to address the issue with her flatmates after receiving the second. RAINZ is responsible for all 8 cases before the copyright tribunal but has already withdrawn two. There is no timetable for the other six.

Suggestions

That’s it for the three count today. We will be back tomorrow with three more copyright links. If you have a link that you want to suggest a link for the column or have any proposals to make it better. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I hope to hear from you.

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