Originally Posted by bong

one thing I don't quite understand with the dl-ers in Singapore, especially with the recent legal letters and out-of-court settlements with Odex, is why do they still continue to do it?

from the posts so far, two things are clear:

1) Odex and the associated agencies HAVE a way to track down exactly who is downloading (ISP doesn't matter, all local ones should have a means to tracking their user activities)

2) they are actively engaging and pursuing those whom they have identified as infringing copyright by downloading...

Now, with these two things clear, I'm guessing that those people who continue to do so are:

1) extremely rich, that they have S$ 3-4k to throw around and throw at people. In which case, they should be buying all the anime they want from Japan/US or even learning the language and moving to Japan! ^^ no need to wait so long for downloads ...

2) masochistic. They know what they are doing is wrong, but derive pleasure from being punished/fined ... again and again. perhaps it's the thrill of the chase?

3) clearly stupid. and just waiting to get caught. in which case, they deserve to pay every cent of the S$3-4k that's coming to them.

This is not targeting at anyone in general. I'm just sharing my own train of thought, to understand why there are still downloaders in this climate.

Originally Posted by Claude

So far this appears to be the case.

Aiyah...Waiting for someone to countersue ODEX on several counts of Privacy Infringement, Threatening especially Local Citizens under the age of 21, and Apprehension based solely on wildly outdated information, and shadowy conduct of an "Apparent" government organization. I bet there're alot of scandals going on inside too. Please pay all damages done to these individualities in light of all these charges.

Haizz...wait long long T_T.

Originally Posted by bong

check your contract with your ISP. I think they are required to give up users' particulars if there is suspected criminal activity/copyright infringement. So if the re is a government order for the ISP to give up the info, or the ISP gave it up for the sake of complience, I don't think there is a case for privacy infringement.
As for threatening local citizens, from the letters, there isn't any actual threatening. The letters just inform the notified what he/she has done, what evidence they have, what action will be taken and how to settle it out of court, if they wish.
Neither is there any apprehension, as they are asking for payment based on their evidence, and for you to cooperate. No SWAT team breaks into your home and arrests you. as for whether the information is wildly outdated, it is up to the court to decide, if you decide to take it that far.
I won't even go into the claims of 'shadowy conduct'.
so, all in all, quite a weak case, possibly even no case at all.

just sharing my thoughts about this ....

Originally Posted by Claude

Guess u're right. Haizz...

EDIT: Come to think about it, I only really agree with you over the threatening part. Even I think its such a weak claim. As for the Privacy Infringement, there's still alot of controversy going on.

Originally Posted by bong

there's a case for privacy only in countries like the US, where more emphasis is given to individual rights and privacy issues. but down here, in the climate of cooperation, i'm sure the ISPs will cooperate in a flash once there's any possibility of criminal activity

Originally Posted by Claude

That's right.

Let's get packing.