What is 'Legal' On Apolyton?

[Seeker]

In another thread it was mentioned that we can't link to 'illegal' filesharing programmes, this is in the Apolyton FAQ.

But how does Apolyton define legal?

The site owners are based in Canada and Greece. I believe the server is Canadian?

Usually the Canadian Criminal Code and other legal systems are pretty much in synch (although I notice that DanQ has not warned us about the law against creating a situation where a monarch might feel unsafe!)...warez, cracked software, other illegal stuff is pretty obvious........However...

Canadian courts have ruled that many forms of filesharing illegal in the United States ARE legal in Canada (in effect)....

So why not refer to methods of filesharing legal in Canadian law? (no uploading, i.e. leech-only programmes)

Is this an American website?

[Chemical Ollie]

Computer gaming is/was illegal by greek law

[GePap]

Why not assume that all filesharing software is suspect and keep it at that?

[mrmitchell]

Owners are Canadian and Greek, but the server is American.

Thusly it goes by American oppressions, and not Canadian or Greek oppressions.

[RGBVideo]

Theoretical usage of p2p is not illegal. Practical usage is. Ming has usually kept all p2p-references, altough the term "p2p" as a no-no, and I think it's a good policy.

[Seeker]

Ah the server is American....we're all probably guilty of aiding terrorism or interstate commerce or some such thing by now then.

[Ming]

It doesn't matter what is legal in your country or where the server is.
The owners make the rules here, and they have decided that they will not offer an enviornment that supports theft of software or music. So they view it as protecting the rights of the original Publisher/owners. They see it as theft... pure and simple. There are many other places you can go and discuss this type of thing... and it is not allowed here... period.

[Seeker]

I guess I'll consider the matter closed then. My explanation for this thread was this post by Ming which confused me:

"If it's LEGAL... OK... Not legal... not OK.
The owners of this site do not support or condone the illegal use of software or theft. It's really pretty simple"

Using terms like 'legal' and 'illegal' when what is really meant is 'what the owners want'.

File sharing is not 'illegal' in Canada, it's not theft. But if MarkG doesn't want it talked about, OK. It IS 'legal', but it is NOT 'ok'.

Just don't give me this 'legal/illegal' BS.

[Chemical Ollie]

It's not allright but it's OK

[Seeker]

I thought it was alright but not OK?

[Spiffor]

IIRC, the server is in the US (Texas). As such, a legal action done by American law can shut the site down, so the American law has to be respected.

Besides, Apolyton has a close partnership with game companies that make Civ Games, and the community could be hurt badly if such a bond was broken, if these companies decided to distrust us. As such, we have to abide with the laws of their country (mostly US, but also France for Atari, and I suppose a few other countries get involved in Civ-making games)

[mrmitchell]

They see it as theft... pure and simple.

I don't mean to put words in Markos' and Dans' mouths, but sometimes I wonder if "certain administrators" of "certain websites" have this policy in fear of their homes being raided by super-secret evil RIAA ninjas or if they really believe it's theft?

[:) Smiley]

IIRC, the server is in the US (Texas).

Guess there ain't much that's legal then.

[The Andy-Man]

Originally posted by mrmitchell

I don't mean to put words in Markos' and Dans' mouths, but sometimes I wonder if "certain administrators" of "certain websites" have this policy in fear of their homes being raided by super-secret evil RIAA ninjas or if they really believe it's theft?

most likley fear of the ninjas. I hardley blame them though, I am paranoid bout uing the net, and i don't even do anything wrong

[Seeker]

I thought I was the only one who lived in fear of the RIAA Ninja Clan??