yousendit / ysi / rapidshare / etc

XBleed · 06-23-2007, 11:46 PM

Does anyone know what legal issues lie behind these? Several of my forum members have been posting links to shared files on these sites. Am I able to allow this, or no?

Thanks,

**JonathanSA** · 06-23-2007, 11:49 PM

You can post links to the files, however, I'd do my best to ensure they links are to legal software downloads and the like.

These type of websites are huge pirating resources, so I'd use caution.

**bdude** · 06-24-2007, 12:38 AM

Just watch what the links are, if they are against your TOS then remove them.

**StaticAge** · 06-24-2007, 01:06 AM

If you feel you don't want to allow them add them to the word censor. EG:

When posted rapidshare.com/files would become "*Link against the rules*" or something

It's easier than removing them seperately.

XBleed · 06-24-2007, 03:10 PM

Thanks guys,

I do want to allow them. I suppose a better question would be, what if something that is linked does end up to be "illegal". Would I be held liable? Would I be approached with a friendly "please remove this link from your website", or would I be slapped with a law suit?

Thanks again.

**Ryan** · 06-24-2007, 11:50 PM

Legally, yes, I do think that you could get in trouble for it...You don't have to host the files to get in trouble...If you are allowing your members to discuss and share illegal content, then you can get in trouble for it. That's like having people at your house to set up a crime but not actually selling them the guns to carry it out.

More than likely, you won't get in trouble...In fact, Rapidshare doesn't get in trouble for this stuff because they are "unaware" that users are hosting illegal content. When they do "discover" illegal content, they remove it. That's how they get around it.

**bdude** · 06-25-2007, 08:33 AM

Yeah, it's the DMCA 'Safe Harbor' provision for user generated content.

**b0o** · 07-31-2007, 02:38 AM

For RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting, use something like: Protect Your RapidShare Files - Warez (Games, Porn, Music, Software). That way your safe even if it's bad content.

**freelivesport** · 01-22-2008, 11:49 AM

its depends where you are hosted, you can legally link to warez hosted on sites such as rapidshare if your hosted offshore

My site is completely legal because of that fact. Remember its not whats on your site, its where its hosted!

**Chris Suyeda** · 01-23-2008, 09:21 AM

Just a heads up, I know A LOT of people who created very successful file sharing communities (files which were hosted on websites like rapidshare) and all of them were shut down.

I understand that your community may or may not be dedicated to file sharing, but it still has the potential of being "investigated." To be honest, I think Ryan put it best. I just thought I'd let you know that I've been a part of a number of communities in which were shut down due to this kind of content.

06-23-2007, 11:46 PM	#1
XBleed Lurker Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 9	yousendit / ysi / rapidshare / etc Does anyone know what legal issues lie behind these? Several of my forum members have been posting links to shared files on these sites. Am I able to allow this, or no? Thanks,

06-23-2007, 11:49 PM	#2
JonathanSA Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 222	You can post links to the files, however, I'd do my best to ensure they links are to legal software downloads and the like. These type of websites are huge pirating resources, so I'd use caution. __________________ » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-24-2007, 12:38 AM	#3
bdude Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,628	Just watch what the links are, if they are against your TOS then remove them. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-24-2007, 11:50 PM	#6
Ryan Forum Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 10,256	Legally, yes, I do think that you could get in trouble for it...You don't have to host the files to get in trouble...If you are allowing your members to discuss and share illegal content, then you can get in trouble for it. That's like having people at your house to set up a crime but not actually selling them the guns to carry it out. More than likely, you won't get in trouble...In fact, Rapidshare doesn't get in trouble for this stuff because they are "unaware" that users are hosting illegal content. When they do "discover" illegal content, they remove it. That's how they get around it. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Professional vBulletin Skins

06-25-2007, 08:33 AM	#7
bdude Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,628	Yeah, it's the DMCA 'Safe Harbor' provision for user generated content. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-24-2007, 01:06 AM	#4
StaticAge Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: England Posts: 156	If you feel you don't want to allow them add them to the word censor. EG: When posted rapidshare.com/files would become "*Link against the rules*" or something It's easier than removing them seperately.

06-24-2007, 03:10 PM	#5
XBleed Lurker Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 9	Thanks guys, I do want to allow them. I suppose a better question would be, what if something that is linked does end up to be "illegal". Would I be held liable? Would I be approached with a friendly "please remove this link from your website", or would I be slapped with a law suit? Thanks again.

07-31-2007, 02:38 AM	#8
b0o Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Uk Posts: 99	For RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting, use something like: Protect Your RapidShare Files - Warez (Games, Porn, Music, Software). That way your safe even if it's bad content. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-22-2008, 11:49 AM	#9
freelivesport Lurker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 12	its depends where you are hosted, you can legally link to warez hosted on sites such as rapidshare if your hosted offshore My site is completely legal because of that fact. Remember its not whats on your site, its where its hosted!

01-23-2008, 09:21 AM	#10
Chris Suyeda Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California, USA Posts: 105	Just a heads up, I know A LOT of people who created very successful file sharing communities (files which were hosted on websites like rapidshare) and all of them were shut down. I understand that your community may or may not be dedicated to file sharing, but it still has the potential of being "investigated." To be honest, I think Ryan put it best. I just thought I'd let you know that I've been a part of a number of communities in which were shut down due to this kind of content.

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