Copyright Troll is after my money for downloading porn....

[mitosis26]

I never download porn, well almost never, except that one occasion of a scene owned by Evil Angel that I wanted to watch. I downloaded it via Bittorrent, and bam, got an email from my ISP forwarding a settlement offer from CEG-TEK of $150. Well, could they actually take me to court for illegal downloading? Should I just pay it and let it go or ignore it while taking the risk?
They said that failing to pay the settlement fee may results in a court order, and much higher fines.
If anyone experienced similar issue, can you please share your thoughts?

Thanks!

M.

 

[cryptic]

Who's your ISP? I think you can safely ignore it. See this blog post -- the information TekSavvy provides is really good.

 

[mitosis26]

Who's your ISP? I think you can safely ignore it. See this blog post -- the information TekSavvy provides is really good.

rogers. Thanks cryptic!

 

[Piratos]

Another thing to note is that if you get a notice do not follow the link provided and do not enter the file number to find out what you fine is. See advice provided in the link below:
http://copyright-infringement-notice.com/
I use privateinternetaccess and have no issues when downloading through the proxy. I now have it set to cut off internet access if the VPN connection drops. Did not have it set that way before and it dropped while downloading a Starz show. Bam, notice from Bell 2 days later.

 

[mitosis26]

Another thing to note is that if you get a notice do not follow the link provided and do not enter the file number to find out what you fine is. See advice provided in the link below:
http://copyright-infringement-notice.com/
I use privateinternetaccess and have no issues when downloading through the proxy. I now have it set to cut off internet access if the VPN connection drops. Did not have it set that way before and it dropped while downloading a Starz show. Bam, notice from Bell 2 days later.

Wish I had known that before, first thing I did was click the link and enter the code to see that I own $150

But this link comforts me to know that it's still not enough to get me to court...

 

[Young_City]

I wouldn't sweat it.

One thing though, and I'm not trying to be an asshole, but a VPN is different than a proxy. With a VPN all your traffic is encrypted through the VPN server. That basically includes all internet browsing and downloading, downloading torrents, email, any IM service you might use, etc.

I'd recommend Private Internet Access since I like their terms, prices are very reasonable, speed is pretty good, and their stock software offers some crazy encryption options. Just make sure you connect to their Switzerland server. (On a blog post a few years ago they mentioned that they recommend anyone who torrents to use their Switzerland server.) Oh, and it's really easy to set things up if you haven't used a VPN before and they also let you use their servers on your iPhone. (Most VPN providers limit how many devices can be connected at once.)

Feel free to ask any questions or PM me if you need help setting it up or any other questions.

 

[jjz]

I never download porn, well almost never, except that one occasion of a scene owned by Evil Angel that I wanted to watch. I downloaded it via Bittorrent, and bam, got an email from my ISP forwarding a settlement offer from CEG-TEK of $150. Well, could they actually take me to court for illegal downloading? Should I just pay it and let it go or ignore it while taking the risk?
They said that failing to pay the settlement fee may results in a court order, and much higher fines.
If anyone experienced similar issue, can you please share your thoughts?

Thanks!

M.

Just ignore it.
If you pay they have your information.
Your ISP is only obligated to pass the notice to you.
But being Rogers... they may fuck you over.
Switch to Teksavvy.
Use a VPN, a proxy or use Peerblock.

 

[shakenbake]

Have you received a bogus copyright infringement notice, falsely accusing you of something you didn’t do while claiming you’re liable for thousands of dollars?
If you haven’t yet, get ready for one.
Recently, we learned that foreign companies are using a loophole to send out thousands of abusive, misleading copyright infringement notices to people across Canada.[SUP]1[/SUP]
Amazingly, the federal government is about make this loophole even bigger by giving copyright trolls access to your sensitive private information through a new law called Bill S-4.[SUP]2[/SUP]
We think it’s time Industry Minister James Moore got a copyright notice of his own; if you can donate today, we’ll deliver a powerful crowdsourced presentation to key MPs in Ottawa including our petition and a surprise letter from leading legal experts.
The bogus notices are specifically designed to bully vulnerable people with threats of fines of up to $150,000 based on unproven accusations. In fact, it’s not uncommon for these misleading notices to be sent to people who have done nothing wrong at all.[SUP]3[/SUP]
Now the government wants to hand over your data to these copyright trolls?
We’ve got our very own Free Expression campaigner, Meghan Sali, heading to Ottawa this week to testify before a parliamentary committee studying Bill S-4.
We need your help to make the most of this opportunity. This is our last chance to convince the government to bring in sensible rules protecting Canadians from false and misleading copyright notices.
Please donate today to help us protect Canadian Internet users from needless abuse.
At OpenMedia, we’re not going to sit back and watch as American media giants disregard our laws while taking advantage of vulnerable seniors and those who don’t know their digital rights.
It’s time the federal government got a copyright notice of its own. With your help, we’ll make sure Ottawa gets the message.
For the Internet,
Steve, on behalf of your OpenMedia team
PS: These infringement notices are effectively guilt by accusation; they demand financial penalties without any proof of wrongdoing. It’s time our federal government stepped up and protected Canadians from the abusive practice of copyright trolling; donate today and help us send James Moore a notice he can’t ignore.
Footnotes
[1] Canada’s Copyright Notice Fiasco: Why Industry Minister James Moore Bears Some Responsibility. Source: Michael Geist
[2] Why the Digital Privacy Act Undermines Our Privacy: Bill S-4 Risks Widespread Warrantless Disclosure. Source: Michael Geist
[3] Exclusive: Copyright trolls sending infringement notices without checking if they have the right person. Source: OpenMedia

​

We are an award-winning network of people and organizations working to safeguard the possibilities of the open Internet. We work toward informed and participatory digital policy. You can follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.​ We rely on donations from people like you to operate. Even the smallest contributions go a long way to make your voice heard. Please consider donating today.​

You have received this message, because you have subscribed to OpenMedia's list with the email address ppppppppppp.
​

 

[GPIDEAL]

What is Teksavvy? A proxy server?

This is a good thread for everyone to subscribe too. I don't use Torrents but good to know.

 

[Young_City]

Teksavvy is an internet service provider. They offer phone lines and domains as well.

 

[Piratos]

I wouldn't sweat it.

One thing though, and I'm not trying to be an asshole, but a VPN is different than a proxy. With a VPN all your traffic is encrypted through the VPN server. That basically includes all internet browsing and downloading, downloading torrents, email, any IM service you might use, etc.

I'd recommend Private Internet Access since I like their terms, prices are very reasonable, speed is pretty good, and their stock software offers some crazy encryption options. Just make sure you connect to their Switzerland server. (On a blog post a few years ago they mentioned that they recommend anyone who torrents to use their Switzerland server.) Oh, and it's really easy to set things up if you haven't used a VPN before and they also let you use their servers on your iPhone. (Most VPN providers limit how many devices can be connected at once.)

Feel free to ask any questions or PM me if you need help setting it up or any other questions.

Right, meant VPN. Not too up on all of the terminology. I am with Private Internet Access as well. Was wondering why you use the Switzerland server? They state "To PIA, your online security as well as privacy is greatly important, thus we do not keep logs of any of your data making you virtually untraceable. " Given that I assumed all servers would be equally secure. I have been using their NJ server as I sometimes like to access sites available only to the US. Any risk IYO?

 

[Cassini]

I would be wary of a US server. If you use a US server, you can be charged under US law, and civilly taken to court under US law. In terms of US and international law, it is way easier to go after a Canadian committing crimes in the US using a US server and communicating with US citizens, than it is to go after a Canadian downloading a torrent in Canada on Canadian equipment, and only communicating with a US computer owned by US citizen.

Committing crimes in the US involving US people with US hardware is what got Kim Dotcom into trouble.

If you keep your activities between Canada and Switzerland, then if someone got into trouble, it would be precedent setting case. I'm not saying you can't get into trouble, or that you won't get into trouble. Just I'm not aware of anyone getting into trouble for doing this internationally between Canada and Switzerland before.

 

[Young_City]

Cassini pretty much summed it up. Granted, given PIA's policy, it would be extremely hard for them to pinpoint any users activity. Since they don't log when a user connects to their servers and since all the IPs are shared it's virtually impossible and extremely difficult to track what any of their users do.

However, it's just an added layer of protection, just like using a VPN itself. Given Switzerland's privacy laws, connecting to their servers when downloading torrents just gives you an added layer of protection in the unlikely event that someone got a hold of their logs. I guess it's a mix of risk management and being paranoid.

Piratos, I use their US servers to visit certain sites that are only accessible to US residents and even to watch certain videos that aren't viewable to anyone outside of the country because of copyright laws. I've never worried about this. Same way I connect to their UK servers to watch BBC. And I tried finding the blog post where they wrote about using their Switzerland servers when downloading torrents and couldn't find it. I sent them an email and if they reply with the link I'll post it.

 

[Piratos]

Thanks guys.
Regarding Switzerland and its privacy laws I suppose that is the same thing tax evaders thought when establishing financial relationships there. It all fell apart for them when the US started getting serious about tax evasion by its citizens and threatened sanctions against the Swiss banks.
Lots of interesting choices with PIA and I guess I will start moving it around if torrenting.

 

[The Options Menu]

I wouldn't sweat it.

One thing though, and I'm not trying to be an asshole, but a VPN is different than a proxy. With a VPN all your traffic is encrypted through the VPN server. That basically includes all internet browsing and downloading, downloading torrents, email, any IM service you might use, etc.

I'd recommend Private Internet Access since I like their terms, prices are very reasonable, speed is pretty good, and their stock software offers some crazy encryption options. Just make sure you connect to their Switzerland server. (On a blog post a few years ago they mentioned that they recommend anyone who torrents to use their Switzerland server.) Oh, and it's really easy to set things up if you haven't used a VPN before and they also let you use their servers on your iPhone. (Most VPN providers limit how many devices can be connected at once.)

Feel free to ask any questions or PM me if you need help setting it up or any other questions.

Personally I'd avoid a VPN in a 5 Eyes country (Can, US, UK, Aus, NZ), the developing world, or the former Warpac countries-- The goal there is to create as much of a cross jurisdictional clusterf*ck as possible, without being scammed, or looking like a 'really bad guy'. Sites like Torrentfreak often have 'best of' lists that are pretty good. See: http://torrentfreak.com/which-vpn-services-take-your-anonymity-seriously-2014-edition-140315/ I'm suspicious of PIA because of where it's from, and how much mainstream coverage it's got (mind you it's still probably fine for music, movies, and legit adult porn).

If you want your VPN to just magically work for everything on your home network sign up with a service that supports OpenVPN and configure your router to connect to the VPN via OpenVPN. If your router doesn't do OpenVPN (or is pre bash/heartbleed and has no updates) buy a new router that does OpenVPN, or re-flash it with something like dd-wrt http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index (or one of the other major alternative router firmwares). Please note, re-flashing a router with a non-vendor firmware isn't for the faint of heart and can brick the device, if this scares you buy a router that does OpenVPN, and update it with the newest version of the manufacturers firmware.

If you don't want the VPN to magically cover your whole home network then set up individual connections per device (preferably using something open like OpenVPN and not necessarily the vendor's tool unless you have to).

That's my .02.

Oh, and never respond or acknowledge to a copyright threat until they actually serve you with legit papers (which, even in this era of 'notice and notify' in Canada, has yet to happen, AFAIK). Then talk to a lawyer, not the group that served you.