|
I've heard about how they cracked down on people for downloading on the internet but this is ridiculous.
Yes, it's my fault for torrenting something without paying for it but man, I didn't think it would happen to me.
Dear Charter Internet Subscriber:
Charter Communications ("Charter") has been notified by a copyright owner, or its authorized agent, that your Internet account may have been involved in the exchange of unauthorized copies of copyrighted material (e.g., music, movies, or software). We are enclosing a copy of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice that Charter received from the copyright holder which includes the specific allegation.
Under the DMCA, copyright owners have the right to notify Charter’s register agent if they believe that a Charter customer has infringed on their work(s). When Charter receives a complaint notice from a copyright owner, Charter will notify the identifiable customer of the alleged infringement by providing them a copy of the submitted DMCA notice. As required by law, Charter may determine that the customer is a repeat copyright infringer and reserves the right to suspend or terminate the accounts of repeat copyright infringers.
It is possible that this activity has occurred without your permission or knowledge by an unauthorized user, a minor who may not fully understand the copyright laws, or even as a result of a computer virus. However, as the named subscriber on the account, you may be held responsible for any misuse of your account. Please be aware that using Charter’s service to engage in any form of copyright infringement is expressly prohibited by Charter's Acceptable Use Policy and that repeat copyright infringement, or violations of any other Charter policy, may result in the suspension or termination of your service. You may view Charter's rules and policies, including Charter’s Acceptable Use Policy, under the policies section of charter.com.
We ask that you take immediate action to stop the exchange of any infringing material. For additional information regarding copyright infringement and for a list of frequently asked questions, please visit charter.com/dmca.
If you have questions about this letter, you may contact us at 1-866-229-7286. Representatives will be available to take your call Monday through Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am - 5pm (CST).
Sincerely,
Charter Communications Security Resolution Team
http://www.charter.com/security
Further info:
+ Show Spoiler +I edited out the names and important info. You are hereby notified that your unauthorized copying and/or distribution infringes the registered copyrights of - under the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 106. In this regard, demand is hereby made that you and all persons using this account immediately and permanently cease and desist the unauthorized copying and/or distribution of the registered copyrights listed in this notice or otherwise owned by -t. You may also be held liable for monetary damages, including attorney's fees and court costs if a lawsuit is commenced against you. You have until Sunday, December 12, 2010 to access the settlement offer and settle online. To access the settlement offer please visit http://www.copyrightsettlements.com/ and enter Case #: Settlement Information: Direct Settlement Link: Settlement Website: http://www.copyrightsettlements.com/Case #: Password: If you fail to respond or settle within the prescribed time period, the claim(s) will be referred to our attorneys for legal action. At that point the original settlement offer will no longer be an option and the amount will increase as a result of us having to involve our attorneys. Nothing contained or omitted from this correspondence is, or shall be deemed to be either a full statement of the facts or applicable law, an admission of any fact, or waiver or limitation of any of the -'s rights or remedies, all of which are specifically retained and reserved. The information in this notice is accurate. We have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of herein is not authorized by the registered copyright owner, its agent, or by operation of law. We swear under penalty of perjury, that we are authorized to act on behalf of -. Sincerely, Dale Spislander Copyright Enforcement Agent Copyright Enforcement Group, LLC 8484 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 220 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
I checked how much it would cost to settle online and it was around $120 or 140.
Do they not even give warnings out now? A friend of mine who illegally downloaded a movie received a warning from his provider and he stopped doing it.
I had no idea they just dished out penalties without warnings these days.
|
Read about something like this being a scam in europe which got busted after they netted deep 6 figures iirc... maybe its worth finding someone who could verify all this shit isn't just a scam :O
dunno man, tread with caution is all one can advise!
|
Lol I think this is one of those scams. Were you served ? Or did this just arrive in the mail. If it just came in the mail, ignore it. These kinds of companys are known to send out mess letters like these fishing for suckers to settle. And online setteling ? really without your signature or any other legal measurement.
|
the e-mail was from abuse@charter.net, which I believe is legit. I hope someone more knowledgable can point out if its real or not, but I'm betting it's real.
|
On December 09 2010 06:15 lastmotion wrote:
the e-mail was from abuse@charter.net, which I believe is legit. I hope someone more knowledgable can point out if its real or not, but I'm betting it's real.
Emails are no legal way to sue somebody in any way. Neither is setteling on a internet page. This whole thing just smells like a scam.
Also they don't point out what you have downloaded. They have shown no evidance.
|
On December 09 2010 06:17 Marradron wrote:Show nested quote +On December 09 2010 06:15 lastmotion wrote:
the e-mail was from abuse@charter.net, which I believe is legit. I hope someone more knowledgable can point out if its real or not, but I'm betting it's real. Emails are no legal way to sue somebody in any way. Neither is setteling on a internet page. This whole thing just smells like a scam. Also they don't point out what you have downloaded. They have shown no evidance.
No, they listed exactly what I downloaded, they got the file name correct and everything. I just edited it out for my sake.
|
Croatia9555 Posts
On December 09 2010 06:15 lastmotion wrote:
the e-mail was from abuse@charter.net, which I believe is legit. I hope someone more knowledgable can point out if its real or not, but I'm betting it's real.
It's probably a scam. A well thought out one.
Also, there's something as e-mail spoofing.
|
It's called intimidation.
Be more careful about your sources. If you aren't very sure if a source is safe don't upload.
Also could be a scam I guess, but I see no reason why it must be.
Anyways, what you should do is just ignore it but be more careful from now on.
|
United States24799 Posts
If you are being legitimately accused of copyright infringement then that means most likely that the copyright holder or their agent downloaded from YOU the illegal thing that you were sharing (such as uploading in the process of downloading a torrent). In this case they should be able to identify what copyright they hold that you violated and what file it was that you were illegally sharing.
You don't have to be afraid of 'downloading' per say.
edit: oh they told you the file... in that case they did download at least a piece of it from you. Whether or not they are the company they claim or a fake group pretending to be them I have no idea.
|
well I downloaded the file from piratebay. I never uploaded or anything.
|
Croatia9555 Posts
I edited out the names and important info.
What kind of important info exactly? Is it something only your provider would know or some general stuff?
|
On December 09 2010 06:22 2Pacalypse- wrote:What kind of important info exactly? Is it something only your provider would know or some general stuff?
I can forward my e-mail to you. Maybe you could pm me your e-mail address or something? I don't want the entire TL community to see my case because the e-mail provides case ID# and password
|
|
|
thepiratebay links to other sources, it really isn't a source in of itself
you didn't upload anything?? huh
well, im sure there are legitimate methods to protect yourself while downloading torrents if you are paranoid now. do a google search and look into it.
|
On December 09 2010 06:19 lastmotion wrote:Show nested quote +On December 09 2010 06:17 Marradron wrote:On December 09 2010 06:15 lastmotion wrote:
the e-mail was from abuse@charter.net, which I believe is legit. I hope someone more knowledgable can point out if its real or not, but I'm betting it's real. Emails are no legal way to sue somebody in any way. Neither is setteling on a internet page. This whole thing just smells like a scam. Also they don't point out what you have downloaded. They have shown no evidance. No, they listed exactly what I downloaded, they got the file name correct and everything. I just edited it out for my sake.
Is it from a torrent site you registered to use?
Anyone in the world can see what IPs are connected to a torrent. if you actually use your comcast email it's not unlikely for someone to pull off a convincing scam like this
|
Why not caller your IP and ask if they sent this e-mail? If they did, then you know it's legit. If they say they didn't send you an e-mail, then you're in the clear.
Obviously don't tip them off that you are pirating stuff before they even respond, lol. Just ask: "Hey, I got an e-mail the other day and just to be certain, I'm calling to see if this e-mail was actually from you guys", etc etc. I wouldn't use the number in the e-mail, use a past number you got when you signed up or something.
Best of luck man, hopefully this all clears up for you. It could have been worse. :/
|
If you used a torrent file you did upload. Thats the way torrents work you download and upload at the same time. Still even if they rightfully accuse you it is still a bit scammy. They have no intentions to sue you since it would cost them way to much time and effort. Atleast thats what they do in europe. Where are you from ?
|
@floor exercise: I don't have a registered account on piratebay. I just went to the site and searched for a file and downloaded it like 99% others. I have an e-mail account with Charter (my internet provider) but I never use that e-mail if that's what u mean.
@sagefantasma: I think I will do that. Thanks for that. At least I can try to verify if I got e-mail spoofed or not.
@Marradron: I live in the U.S.
|
eh i guess maybe not responding to it is bad advice
but this was an email right? not mail?
I don't see how this could possibly be legal
|
On December 09 2010 06:37 travis wrote:
dude why does it matter if it's a scam or not? just don't respond to it
If it's not a scam, there is a chance I might get sued by them, isn't there?
I can't just say "I never check my e-mails" can I?
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
