AfterDawn: Tech news

Megauploader users to sue U.S. over lost files

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Jan 2012 10:17 User comments (26)

Megauploader users to sue U.S. over lost files A number of angry users are contemplating suing the U.S., following the loss of terabytes of legal files when Megaupload was taken down last week.
Despite its title as a "piracy haven," hundreds of thousands of users used Megaupload to share personal videos, photos, research data and more. All of those files are possibly gone now that the site remains offline, and in the possession of the U.S. Department of Justice.

There is still a chance users will get their files back, but it is not a foregone conclusion.

According to Freak, Pirate Parties around the world are preparing to file an official complaint against the U.S: "The widespread damage caused by the sudden closure of Megaupload is unjustified and completely disproportionate to the aim intended."

Additionally, "For this reason Pirates of Catalonia, in collaboration with Pirate Parties International and other Pirate Parties, have begun investigating these potential breaches of law and will facilitate submission of complaints against the US authorities in as many countries as possible, to ensure a positive and just result. This initiative is a starting point for legitimate internet users to help defend themselves from the legal abuses promoted by those wishing to aggressively lock away cultural materials for their own financial gain."

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26 user comments

128.1.2012 11:30

I wish them all good luck,The U.S. governments got lots of money to throw at the courts.

228.1.2012 12:59
GINO817
Unverified new user

Originally posted by nbfreak2:
I wish them all good luck,The U.S. governments got lots of money to throw at the courts.
and thats the type of attitude the US government wants you to have
when in all reality if we the people could come together the government lose hands down....... THEY WANT US TO BE SCARED

328.1.2012 13:02

Originally posted by GINO817:
Originally posted by nbfreak2:
I wish them all good luck,The U.S. governments got lots of money to throw at the courts.
and thats the type of attitude the US government wants you to have
when in all reality if we the people could come together the government lose hands down....... THEY WANT US TO BE SCARED
so true and whats up with this country now it's no longer for we the poeple but for them the rich and powerful

428.1.2012 15:51

Unless "we the people" get a gaggle of "Prick the Lawless" lawyers (financed so heavily that your favorite deity could be bought by a multiple of 50 times) and an injunction filed immediately; the likelihood of it happening in a timely fashion are slim at best.

Remember, the richest organization on the planet (that I'm aware of other than oil) has had quite a run at this game & they're not going to go quietly. Even an opportunity like this could be taken to sue them back into the stone age & push back for some retribution for once, but Jon Q. Public is going to have to pony up the cash & play sleaze game, like it or not in order to get this nasty job done.

So, why not... Class action suit. Global community vs DoJ/Alphabet Nazis for (whatever we want to call this blitzkrieg of copyright infringing caca).

We're all tired of the school girl tee-hee giggling ambiguity & double speak they seem to like to pull on law abiding citizens. The constant charade of re-assessing finances for media we have already purchased. They're also ghouls living off the corpses of what is supposed to public domain.

It's time to finish them. We've been greased for Wall Street & by the Treasury. I say we take the bull by the horns for once, nut-up, take command, we wear the barbed wire cock ring & take charge of this sodomization.

See. Problem. Solution. But as i have said before, not all my solutions are for the timid.

528.1.2012 16:13

yea i bet theres alot of people that use megaupload for legit purposes. yea there may be, but theres alot more piracy than legit. anyone who says otherwise is a lier.

628.1.2012 17:44

The Government may break our will,they might try to take our property,but the one thing they can't have IS OUR FREEDOM!
I wish them the best of luck in this battle to get Mega Upload back.

728.1.2012 17:48

True 1nsan3, but you can't shoot into a crowd of innocent people in the hopes of hitting the bad guys, lots of people have their hard work stored on megaupload and they deserve to get it and the money they payed to store it there back.

828.1.2012 17:51

Sorry, but a lawsuit like this will go nowhere and just be a waste of money on their part. Unless the intent is just to get some attention, that is!

928.1.2012 18:02

Lawsuit in this case is not meaningless even should it turn out to be a lost cause. Frankly this will show the world that thousand of innocents were robbed of their purchase when MU was taken down. Even IF there was just cause for MU to be taken down, there was no compensation mentioned or offered to those that respectfully used their cloud services for personal files unrelated to piracy. Therefor this fight is not meaningless, because if we sit and do nothing, then we may as well never fight for our basic rights. So let it be known that when the public caves in to this injustice, you may all be better off dead, cause at least then you can no longer be controlled as if you are a puppet that never mattered.

1028.1.2012 21:42

I think people are nuts to trust these cloud services, terrrabyte hard drives are very cheap now.

1129.1.2012 02:09

kill one person to save millions life lol

1229.1.2012 09:17

Originally posted by gnovak1:
I think people are nuts to trust these cloud services, terrrabyte hard drives are very cheap now.
Used to be proud to be an American, now I hide my head in shame.

9/11 was the ticket for the Government to intrude on peoples lives. Pandora's box it seems.

I question the use of cloud services. Sans a company, who has enough data to warrant massive storage. I know what is on my PC stays on my PC without having to read a 20 page EULA and signing my life away.

HDD drives are now about 40% more expensive then there were when I purchased 2 WD black 2TB and 1 1.5 green HD TB drives. Still a steal compared to SSD prices. I have no use for a cloud service. My data (music, videos, documents and pictures) are encrypted.

1329.1.2012 11:52

Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Used to be proud to be an American, now I hide my head in shame.

9/11 was the ticket for the Government to intrude on peoples lives. Pandora's box it seems.

I question the use of cloud services. Sans a company, who has enough data to warrant massive storage. I know what is on my PC stays on my PC without having to read a 20 page EULA and signing my life away.

HDD drives are now about 40% more expensive then there were when I purchased 2 WD black 2TB and 1 1.5 green HD TB drives. Still a steal compared to SSD prices. I have no use for a cloud service. My data (music, videos, documents and pictures) are encrypted.
Not to mention it's a one time expense that you/I can maintain our own security over.

1429.1.2012 13:19

Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, but didn't megaupload act sort of like how cloud computing does now? Where you can store your info on another server so you can access it from any other computer. I got a ubuntu cloud account, has a few pictures of places i've visited and some songs I'VE personally written, i use it when having a conversation at a friend of mines house and i can go, "hold on dude, check this out, i wrote this some time ago...". Does that mean that other cloud type places are now at risk? I could be wrong here but i think this could kill cloud computing due to the fact you can store whatever digital info on it, so if it isn't going to be megaupload, then people will move to another type of online storage site and continue. So that in theory would kill cloud computing, cuz then they would just take the next place down and so on and so on.

1529.1.2012 14:41

Originally posted by Naferion:
Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, but didn't megaupload act sort of like how cloud computing does now? Where you can store your info on another server so you can access it from any other computer. I got a ubuntu cloud account, has a few pictures of places i've visited and some songs I'VE personally written, i use it when having a conversation at a friend of mines house and i can go, "hold on dude, check this out, i wrote this some time ago...". Does that mean that other cloud type places are now at risk? I could be wrong here but i think this could kill cloud computing due to the fact you can store whatever digital info on it, so if it isn't going to be megaupload, then people will move to another type of online storage site and continue. So that in theory would kill cloud computing, cuz then they would just take the next place down and so on and so on.
I see where your confusion stems from but it is misplaced. Cloud services are perfectly legal, and okay. Cyberlockers are legal, as well, but most of their users use the service to SHARE copyright protected material. When you use a cloud service like Skydrive, Amazon Cloud, etc, you can upload pirated material for sure, but you can't really share it without giving away your account credentials. Megaupload, Filesonic, etc made it very simple to share links, which was used for legal and illegal purposes.

1629.1.2012 14:48

Originally posted by Naferion:
Does that mean that other cloud type places are now at risk? I could be wrong here but i think this could kill cloud computing due to the fact you can store whatever digital info on it, so if it isn't going to be megaupload, then people will move to another type of online storage site and continue. So that in theory would kill cloud computing, cuz then they would just take the next place down and so on and so on.
On the surface your statement is right on target & pretty much what everyone here is arguing. But like everything in the grown-up world, people with absurd amount of cash want to do, they want to 'all of the sudden' act like they're 3 years old again & say things like, "well you didn't say I couldn't..." when it comes to making laws, or in Megaupload's case (and a few folks here, myself included) breaking the law.

When it comes to taking legitimate credit for writing or building something, obviously you should be paid for & entitled to what is rightfully yours. Problem is, there are a lot of leeches out there that feel they have a grossly disproportionate share of wealth attached to what you made.

Now, did Megaupload take anyone's personal property & claim it as their own to sell? No, but certainly one could claim that they profiteered as one would from say a war time effort.

In all, the other guys are just playing a shell game at the moment. Mega is one of 3(?) that are getting hard & fast to get indictments on the books so the DoJ can get the ball rolling on the more deeply rooted clouds, thus opening the door for the alphabet Nazis to do their thing once their weak.

1729.1.2012 15:12

Originally posted by Naferion:
Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, but didn't megaupload act sort of like how cloud computing does now? Where you can store your info on another server so you can access it from any other computer. I got a ubuntu cloud account, has a few pictures of places i've visited and some songs I'VE personally written, i use it when having a conversation at a friend of mines house and i can go, "hold on dude, check this out, i wrote this some time ago...". Does that mean that other cloud type places are now at risk? I could be wrong here but i think this could kill cloud computing due to the fact you can store whatever digital info on it, so if it isn't going to be megaupload, then people will move to another type of online storage site and continue. So that in theory would kill cloud computing, cuz then they would just take the next place down and so on and so on.
Why do you post misinformation when you admitted you know nothing about techie issues?

Maybe the RIAA or MPAA with hire you. Those cronies know zero about what it takes to make a business model in the 21st century work.

Ignorance is bliss until it affects peoples lives.

Jeff
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 29 Jan 2012 @ 3:12

1829.1.2012 15:17

MegaUpload did not have it's legal ducks-in-a-row. A lawsuit will go nowhere.

The MUCH bigger question will be what happens when they go after the much better organized and well run "RapidShare".

1929.1.2012 15:37

Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Originally posted by Naferion:
Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, ...
Why do you post misinformation when you admitted you know nothing about techie issues?

Maybe the RIAA or MPAA with hire you. Those cronies know zero about what it takes to make a business model in the 21st century work.

Ignorance is bliss until it affects peoples lives.

Ouch!!! Talk softly & gentle pressure there big guy... Don't just jam the whole ten pounder in there all at once! I hope the guy has a thick skin.

Originally posted by ThePastor:
MegaUpload did not have it's legal ducks-in-a-row. A lawsuit will go nowhere.

The MUCH bigger question will be what happens when they go after the much better organized and well run "RapidShare".

They didn't even have their cars parked in a row... but you're right it's when the bigger boys get a turn at bat that we see what legal tides turn.


2029.1.2012 16:25

Originally posted by LordRuss:
Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Originally posted by Naferion:
Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, ...
Why do you post misinformation when you admitted you know nothing about techie issues?

Maybe the RIAA or MPAA with hire you. Those cronies know zero about what it takes to make a business model in the 21st century work.

Ignorance is bliss until it affects peoples lives.

Ouch!!! Talk softly & gentle pressure there big guy... Don't just jam the whole ten pounder in there all at once! I hope the guy has a thick skin.

Originally posted by ThePastor:
MegaUpload did not have it's legal ducks-in-a-row. A lawsuit will go nowhere.

The MUCH bigger question will be what happens when they go after the much better organized and well run "RapidShare".

They didn't even have their cars parked in a row... but you're right it's when the bigger boys get a turn at bat that we see what legal tides turn.


Well bud.. Unlike when I was in my 20's and 30's my tolerance level has diminished exponentially.

I know you are also not a spring chicken.

If somebody posts utter BS I will call them on it. Something I would never do when I was young.

My main goal is taking care of my two daughters and everybody else can KMA.

Bad tude I know... Just me......

Jeff
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 29 Jan 2012 @ 4:26

2129.1.2012 16:29

Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Originally posted by Naferion:
Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, but didn't megaupload act sort of like how cloud computing does now? Where you can store your info on another server so you can access it from any other computer. I got a ubuntu cloud account, has a few pictures of places i've visited and some songs I'VE personally written, i use it when having a conversation at a friend of mines house and i can go, "hold on dude, check this out, i wrote this some time ago...". Does that mean that other cloud type places are now at risk? I could be wrong here but i think this could kill cloud computing due to the fact you can store whatever digital info on it, so if it isn't going to be megaupload, then people will move to another type of online storage site and continue. So that in theory would kill cloud computing, cuz then they would just take the next place down and so on and so on.
Why do you post misinformation when you admitted you know nothing about techie issues?

Maybe the RIAA or MPAA with hire you. Those cronies know zero about what it takes to make a business model in the 21st century work.

Ignorance is bliss until it affects peoples lives.

Jeff
Dude, relax, i stated up front I'm no tech guy, so it wasn't misinfomation, more trying to get infomation, don't have to be a doucebag and smear me over trying to ask a open question, thank you lord russ for being a sensible individual and answering my question, screw you jeff for being an ass

2229.1.2012 17:44

Originally posted by Naferion:
Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Originally posted by Naferion:
Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, but didn't megaupload act sort of like how cloud computing does now? Where you can store your info on another server so you can access it from any other computer. I got a ubuntu cloud account, has a few pictures of places i've visited and some songs I'VE personally written, i use it when having a conversation at a friend of mines house and i can go, "hold on dude, check this out, i wrote this some time ago...". Does that mean that other cloud type places are now at risk? I could be wrong here but i think this could kill cloud computing due to the fact you can store whatever digital info on it, so if it isn't going to be megaupload, then people will move to another type of online storage site and continue. So that in theory would kill cloud computing, cuz then they would just take the next place down and so on and so on.
Why do you post misinformation when you admitted you know nothing about techie issues?

Maybe the RIAA or MPAA with hire you. Those cronies know zero about what it takes to make a business model in the 21st century work.

Ignorance is bliss until it affects peoples lives.

Jeff
Dude, relax, i stated up front I'm no tech guy, so it wasn't misinfomation, more trying to get infomation, don't have to be a doucebag and smear me over trying to ask a open question, thank you lord russ for being a sensible individual and answering my question, screw you jeff for being an ass
Call a spade a spade.
Did you learn anything?
Jeff

2329.1.2012 22:40

Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Originally posted by Naferion:
Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Originally posted by Naferion:
Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, but didn't megaupload act sort of like how cloud computing does now? Where you can store your info on another server so you can access it from any other computer. I got a ubuntu cloud account, has a few pictures of places i've visited and some songs I'VE personally written, i use it when having a conversation at a friend of mines house and i can go, "hold on dude, check this out, i wrote this some time ago...". Does that mean that other cloud type places are now at risk? I could be wrong here but i think this could kill cloud computing due to the fact you can store whatever digital info on it, so if it isn't going to be megaupload, then people will move to another type of online storage site and continue. So that in theory would kill cloud computing, cuz then they would just take the next place down and so on and so on.
Why do you post misinformation when you admitted you know nothing about techie issues?

Maybe the RIAA or MPAA with hire you. Those cronies know zero about what it takes to make a business model in the 21st century work.

Ignorance is bliss until it affects peoples lives.

Jeff
Dude, relax, i stated up front I'm no tech guy, so it wasn't misinfomation, more trying to get infomation, don't have to be a doucebag and smear me over trying to ask a open question, thank you lord russ for being a sensible individual and answering my question, screw you jeff for being an ass
Call a spade a spade.
Did you learn anything?
Jeff
He was just asking a question and getting some clarification. No one here was confused by his post save for you. Put your diapers back on and chill out.

2429.1.2012 23:13

Originally posted by Azuran:
Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Originally posted by Naferion:
Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Originally posted by Naferion:
Ok, first of all, I'm no tech expert, isn't my field of knowledge, but didn't megaupload act sort of like how cloud computing does now? Where you can store your info on another server so you can access it from any other computer. I got a ubuntu cloud account, has a few pictures of places i've visited and some songs I'VE personally written, i use it when having a conversation at a friend of mines house and i can go, "hold on dude, check this out, i wrote this some time ago...". Does that mean that other cloud type places are now at risk? I could be wrong here but i think this could kill cloud computing due to the fact you can store whatever digital info on it, so if it isn't going to be megaupload, then people will move to another type of online storage site and continue. So that in theory would kill cloud computing, cuz then they would just take the next place down and so on and so on.
Why do you post misinformation when you admitted you know nothing about techie issues?

Maybe the RIAA or MPAA with hire you. Those cronies know zero about what it takes to make a business model in the 21st century work.

Ignorance is bliss until it affects peoples lives.

Jeff
Dude, relax, i stated up front I'm no tech guy, so it wasn't misinfomation, more trying to get infomation, don't have to be a doucebag and smear me over trying to ask a open question, thank you lord russ for being a sensible individual and answering my question, screw you jeff for being an ass
Call a spade a spade.
Did you learn anything?
Jeff
He was just asking a question and getting some clarification. No one here was confused by his post save for you. Put your diapers back on and chill out.
Umm, diapers are for infants. I am 56 years old. If you or others don't like my posts then don't read them. Okay?

Jeff

2530.1.2012 11:57

Originally posted by Jeffrey_P:
Umm, diapers are for infants. I am 56 years old. If you or others don't like my posts then don't read them. Okay?

I like your comments... My attitude, as well as my body, has gone to shite as well too. That's why I use Sam Adams to limber up & lower the expectations for some folks (not exactly you, just sayin). That & my kids haven't completely left the f*king house yet; so, more attitude...

Didn't realize how utterly stupid I was till my f*k trophies started talking back some 20 years ago.

So as a public service announcement to all you folks out there riding 'bare back' & think you can get away with no family planning... just realize, 97.68% of all of us were conceived with NO planned parenthood (& probably in a greasy drunken stupor as well).

Oh... and I propose that's another reason why Megaupload got caught. Another victim of unplanned parenthood, broken home & neglected childhood; not to mention caught while masturbating.

There... still on topic.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 30 Jan 2012 @ 11:57

263.2.2012 11:26

Was it just me or was MU slow as F--K ?? seemed alot slower than other alternatives, and yes there are many sooo...why worry? ;-) we will find ways to do stuff, torrents are always good.. ;-)
cheers.

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