[molmalo]

I was thinking the same thing: The next step following this line of thinking would be trying to ban all torrent clients, because they CAN be used to download copyrighted material.

This is crazy.

[Andrew_nenakhov]

Why stop with torrent clients? They should ban all browsers, because they CAN be used to download copyrighted materials!

[romwell]

Browsers?

We need to ban radios with tape decks and TVs with VCRs! The audio cassette and the VHS are bringing the downfall of the music industry with how easily they can be used to create unauthorized copies!

Oh wait.

[ferdek]

Well, following their logic behind DMCA compliant, I guess fiddling long enough with developer's console on Chrome or Firefox would allow you to download potentially copyrighted material from youtube the same way youtube-dl does.

sed s/youtube-dl/firefox/g and voilà, DMCA for Firefox ready to submit...

Let's go further! Let's DMCA the Linux kernel because it runs Firefox/youtube-dl/curl/wget!

[izacus]

> Why stop with torrent clients? They should ban all browsers, because they CAN be used to download copyrighted materials!

We're talking about an industry that normalized rootkit DRM and persuaded pretty much all hardware manufacturers to implement expensive encrypted pipelines to lock you out from trying to even take a glimpse of content playing.

After a few years of working near this industry I really cannot overestimate how rentseeking and scummy every single part of it is. They will abuse you without a second thought if there's a cent to be made.

[usr1106]

All computers with the option to install applications or unlocked/unlockable bootloaders can be used to make copies of copyrighted materials. And it certainly happens a lot.

But then, when secure boot came, Microsoft was forced to grant every owner of an Intel compatible computer the right to unlock it for antitrust reasons (luckily).

So were is the borderline between a legal tool and an illegal tool? Well, lawyers will find out...

In the meantime youtube-dl needs to be distributed some other channel. Which of course might raise the risk of back-doored or otherwise poisoned version floating around.

[indigochill]

Why stop with browsers? With enough creativity you can use any network protocol to download copyrighted material, so they should just ban computer networks.

[hawkoy]

Another abuse of DMCA on the frontpage earlier: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24867212

Indian startup taking down dissent, whistle blowers and leaks using take down requests to youtube and social media.

[read_if_gay_]

Same for any kind of information exchange, like speech or the written word. Common sense says their argument doesn't hold water at all. Should courts decide in favor of the takedown that'd just go to show how broken our legal system is. Let's hope not.

[atleta]

And you don't even need a browser for that. Your operating system comes with TCP support and that in itself is enough. (OK, some of them may probably be willing to build in all kinds of restrictions, so maybe they can get a RIAA stamp.)

[trymas]

Let's just ban internet protocol, while at it. :)

On a bit more serious note I wonder how much internet traffic is used for "illegal" purposes?

[bergstromm466]

Why stop with browsers? They should ban all computers, because they CAN be used to download and play copyrighted materials!

[Fnoord]

We need to ban oxygen. It CAN be used to download copyrighted materials!

[imtringued]

I think we should just replace all humans with an Ethereum smart contract. No humans, violation of law.

[dvtrn]

The next step following this line of thinking would be trying to ban all torrent clients, because they CAN be used to download copyrighted material

Didn't the RIAA put up a considerable effort against torrenting in the early 2000's? I remember quite vividly them going after just about anyone who made music available, even if you owned your own songs and were simply uploading them to a web UI to listen to in the browser (Remember Muxtape?)

[TonyTrapp]

Hush, don't leak their master plan! Of course they'd love to just ban about anything that can potentially be used to commit copyright infringement. Of course that includes your web browser, too. Unless it can only visit a list of websites pre-approved by RIAA ;)

[varispeed]

Why not just ban computers or even why not jail people who even think about using ytdl? These organisations like RIAA need reality check. Sadly there is no body to stand against their bullying and stiffling the freedom of speech.

[sk2020]

EFF takes up these causes sometimes, right? This notice is hollow sabre-rattling, so I wouldn’t worry too much. What can RIAA do if somebody forks the project and hosts it in the Lithuania? Not much. Yell into a pillow, maybe.

[larrik]

The RIAA would absolutely ban all torrent clients if they could. If one advertises itself as a way to download copyrighted material, they would try to pull the exact same thing.

[mirekrusin]

What about chromium? They should take that down as well, imagine what children can see using that thing. `curl`, `wget` as well as gitlab - massive offender, random number generators - one of the biggest offenders, any worst nightmare you can imagine can be produced by it!

[Shared404]

And don't forget the evil math people can use to hide their illegal content!

[rimliu]

Well, we (Lithuania) have a law that works along these lines. When you buy any storage device a part of the price is a tax that goes to IP protection agency. The reasoning is exactly that: because you may store some pirated music or whatever on it. How was this bs passed I have no idea.

[gordaco]

This happens in Spain as well. About how did it pass, I assume it's because lobbying.

[ht85]

Now that 4chan is behind bars, it's time to sue the Internet!

[segfaultbuserr]

Nope, just to sue "the hacker known as 4 Chan".

[Zenst]

Yes, would be messed up given the state of play upon gun laws.