Everytime I watch a DVD a notice comes on saying it's ellegal to copy dvd etc, etc, and then it goes on to say the FBI will investigate? You're kidding right? You mean my hard earned taxes are going towards the FBI investigating DVD copyright theft that should be left to the multi-billion dollar entertainment industry to take care of, NOT the elite police force of the United States!! I can only imagine how much that's costing the taxpayers of this country and the amount of manhours wasted!!
No wonder so many violent crimes in this country are un-soved, the mo fo's are chasing down movie pirates!! Yikes!!
2007-08-23 00:32:37 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I hate to sound like an apologist for the Fan Belt Inspectors, but let me clear some things up here if I may.
Generally speaking the vast majority of violent crime in this country falls under local jurisdictions responsibilities and is not investigated by the FBI unless there is a nexus to crossing state lines, organized crime, racketeering etc.
DVD copyright infringement is under their jurisdiction (as is any federal crime really, hence Keith's reference to the stealing of cases) but in practical situations, the FBI would not investigate an individual for copying a few DVD's for personal use. It is when copies are made and distributed for profit that it would be raised to their interest level, and even then, it most likely would need to have an organized group enterprise, or assets to seize, or the chance for a major press conference to get their interest.
That is not to say that the organizations that work for the motion picture industry would not try to go after counterfeiters in civil court. Much like several volume users of Napster were hit with civil suits, the industry could also go after DVD copiers as well.
About the wealthy getting better justice ..... well if the industry has lobbyists hitting up congress to pass tougher laws and then funding the effort (i.e. congress allocating funds for investigators and resources to combat specific violations) then they will have people obligated to go after those violations.
2007-08-23 02:45:06 · answer #1 · answered by steveheremd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The FBI will investigate when it receives information about criminal copyright infringement.
One instance of copying a DVD is generally a civil matter, and will be pursued by the the movie company.
That's the difference between a civil violation of laws, and criminal violation of laws.
2007-08-23 07:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How many times in your life have you picked up the paper and seen the headlines read, "FBI MAKES HUGE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT BUST"? Besides, the only time the FBI would take a copyright case is if a local agency had discovered it, got confessions from the suspects, and written it up.
2007-08-23 08:36:17 · answer #3 · answered by Keith 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What makes copyright infringement any less of a crime? Copyright infringement can result in billions of stolen dollars. To cover the costs, you and I get to pay higher prices for things.
2007-08-23 07:42:51 · answer #4 · answered by spag 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
copyright violations is a violation of federal law. It is the FBI's job to investigate federal law violations!
2007-08-23 07:41:16 · answer #5 · answered by Jan Luv 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Come on buddy, you know as well as I do the amount of justice you receive is based upon how big your pocket book is. Why would you think the FBI is going to look for murderers when real peoples who have real money need their help. They aren't going to chase after some guy who is killing off poverty striken folks. Priorities, priorities! Jeez. ;-)
2007-08-23 08:12:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, Feds are just federal instead of state police. Copyright is a federal offense.
A crime is a crime.
2007-08-23 07:40:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The terrorists are running free while I'm copying "The Lion King"?
2007-08-23 08:01:40 · answer #8 · answered by PATRICIA MS 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋