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Study: 99.7 percent of files shared on torrent networks are illegal

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2013 6:59 User comments (10)

Study: 99.7 percent of files shared on torrent networks are illegal

The RIAA and MPAA have begun distributing new research about the perils of piracy on the entertainment industry, trying to get Congress to take a second look into potential legislation on the matter.
Additionally, the trade groups are once again accusing search engines of not doing enough to direct traffic away from well-known pirate file sharing sites.

"We invite Google and the other major search engines to sit down with us to formulate a plan that goes beyond promises of action and actually serves its intended purpose of deterring piracy and giving the legitimate marketplace an environment to thrive," RIAA Chairman Cary Sherman told a House panel (via 3N).

MPAA boss Christopher Dodd added, "as the internet's gatekeepers, search engines share a responsibility to play a constructive role in not directing audiences to illegitimate content".



Legislators have shied away from sweeping legislation following last year's try at CISPA, which was met with massive criticism from the general public and from major corporations. Smaller measures have been taken, such as credit card processors like Visa and Mastercard blocking access to businesses that thrive off piracy, and ad networks have also pulled business from warez sites. Google also tweaked its algorithms to give 'less visibility' to certain sites.

One of the newly cited surveys is from Comcast, which used the digital brand monitoring company NetNames. That study, which came from a review of the top 12,500 files out of 3.5 million on a public BitTorrent tracker, says 99.7 percent were illegal/unauthorized. Of course, that sample size is small and skewed, but it should get some heads to turn.

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10 user comments

121.9.2013 19:28

Study: Paying lawmakers to extend Copyright protection duration every time content nears public domain status (Disney, etc.) is unconscionable.

221.9.2013 19:30

another statistic riaa and mpaa are probably aware of is that 48.6% of all statistics are made up.

321.9.2013 23:38

Is it any wonder why the MPAA has a corrupt "ex" politician as their boss? Christopher Dodd is one of the biggest scumbags on the planet, and that's actually offensive to scumbags.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 21 Sep 2013 @ 11:40

422.9.2013 02:33

Originally posted by aldan:
another statistic riaa and mpaa are probably aware of is that 48.6% of all statistics are made up.
Or as my sadistics teacher use to say in class:

"Statistics never lie, but liars use statistics."
"99% of all statistics are completely useless, including this one."
"There are lies, damn lies and statistics...."

I think 100% of your statistics for your post were made up ;)
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 22 Sep 2013 @ 2:33

522.9.2013 10:06

The article reads 99.7% of all then as you read it there is 99.7% of a sample of 12k files out of millions.

Is this a pun intended?

622.9.2013 13:54

Originally posted by SomeBozo:
Originally posted by aldan:
another statistic riaa and mpaa are probably aware of is that 48.6% of all statistics are made up.
Or as my sadistics teacher use to say in class:

"Statistics never lie, but liars use statistics."
"99% of all statistics are completely useless, including this one."
"There are lies, damn lies and statistics...."

I think 100% of your statistics for your post were made up ;)
yeah,you got me there.LOL

723.9.2013 05:40

Wow are these guys morons!!!!

1. ask your self these questions if it was true that the number was 99.7 percent that means every house hold would be downloading a movie or music cd a day which is absolute garbage!!!

2. most torrents contain viruses malware and spyware and there are several fakes out there as well did you test them all most likely not!!!!

So your numbers are bull plain and simple

823.9.2013 14:49

Meh...We all know these guys inflate their #'s but realistically? You gotta know the majority is pirated stuff. Who uses this stuff for legit uses? Come on...LOL

Fly your pirate flag high!!!

929.9.2013 07:33

Guess what? Even if it was currently 99.9% they can always say Torrents can be used to help distribute 100% legal free data..thats like saying They shouldn't sell CD-R/DVD-Rs because people use them for illegal copying..everyone knows they majorly do but they can also be used for personal/legal data... Also they only took MOST POPULAR 12,500 out of 3.5 million files... thats like saying the most popular 1/2916 of the files are illegal..

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 29 Sep 2013 @ 7:37

104.10.2013 15:49

This report was brought to you by the research group, Duh!™ Inc.

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