Another one bites the dust... Oops, I hope I didn't just violate copyright infringement.

After the shutdown of Megaupload, other popular file-sharing websites have been cracking down and finding any legal loophole than can to stay in business, but it isn’t looking too good… The next one seemingly on the downfall is Hotfile, an equal competitor of Megaupload. But, Hotfile claims they remove copyright infringement files upon request, which is the same route YouTube is taking.

According to a news post, “Hotfile uses fingerprinting technology to block the uploading of files identified as infringing on copyright holders’ rights. Hotfile has recently upgraded its fingerprint technology to vCloud9, the latest, state-of-the-art fingerprint technology provided by Vobile,” which sounds just lovely. I just hope all of this nonsense doesn’t grow so monstrous and become big enough to take on the big-dogs, like Google and Microsoft.

Over seas the same kind of media business is going on. The ever so popular Pirate Bay is facing troubles in the copyright infringement area again, probably brought up by recent hype. The decision to block the site in Britain will be made in June. I will miss you, Internet full of joy and excitement.

Seriously? Comparing Pinterest to Napster?!

All of these copyright infringement laws need to take a major step back and allow people to see how crazy with power the government has become. I read an article titled “Could Pinterest become the next Napster?” and laughed immediately at the title alone. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Pinterest, which I was, people basically “pin” items and images that they found on the Internet to their virtual bulletin board. They “pin up” anything from recipes, workouts, or even craft projects. The issue here is that the law states you cannot “pin” anything that doesn’t belong to you, but the website’s intention led users to believe otherwise and use their site as a way to bookmark and share fascinating items that are floating around random cyber space. Napster, on the complete other side of the spectrum, was strictly for sharing copyrighted music and movies for free, not to share fun and interesting items! Sites like Pinterest are giving odd-blogs the hits they need to feel like someone out there is reading the posts. And I would personally be flattered if someone “pinned” one of my recipes to their bulletin board for all to see. I don’t see the harm of this one at all…