BAD RAPIDSHARE SHARING

"Really, it’s a bit LOL,” he wrote on Twitter. “It used to be only movies, now even verdicts are out before the official release.” -- Peter Sunde

Rapidshare has shared too much. It seems they've gone back on their word not to reveal accountholders information. They've turned the information over to GEMA (who works with RIAA). Some might say they had gotten too big anyway, but this is potentially bad news for all file sharing. That's a lot of files.

Rapidshare's previous statement was that they weren't going to do such a thing (here). 

"The security of personal data is very important to us, especially in these times. That's the reason why we will not spy out the files that our clients faithfully upload onto RapidShare, not now nor in future. We are against upload control and guarantee you that your files are safe with us and will not be opened by anyone else than yourself, unless you distribute the download link. RapidShare, of course, is against the distribution of illegal files and as soon as we are informed about illegal distribution, we delete these files and put them on a filter. But the general control of uploads is out of the question for us, because we think that especially in these times data privacy comes first." -- Rapidshare's statement, Oct. 2008.

In Sweden, ISP's refused a similar request.

Meanwhile, TPB has opened it's IPREDATOR service. But that's no help for uploaders. This could be a very l-o-n-g summer if people stop uploading.

RapidShare shares user info with the record industry, GEEK, Apr 28, 2009

"As the use of this German law has now been expanded beyond ISPs it is expected that record companies may now attempt to use the same tactic with file-sharing sites."

RapidShare hands over user info in Germany, users panic, Ars, Apr 27, 2009

Warning for Uploader owing to civil requirement for information, Gulli: News (via Bablefish)

"Inquiries to transactions in Germany can be placed however against all Internetprovider, Filehoster or other service offerers world-wide, independently of their company headquarters or of the location of their servers.” statement from Rapidshare.

Best Opinion (so far):  RIAA’s Hostile Takeover of the Internet, Torrent Freak, Apr 29, 2009

"It is true that the recording industry wants to stop criminals, but they are attempting to prohibit the wheel and all building of roads to pull it off. And worse yet - we are letting it happen. The case of The Pirate Bay was not a case of artists vs. freeloaders, or even the recording industry vs. pirates. (The case was against) a technology that allows fast and easy transportation af data - all data - between users and businesses alike.

"We must never blame the network for the actions of individuals. File sharing is not illegal. Using file sharing for illegal purposes is illegal. The difference may be subtle to a layman, but in legal terms, the distinction is clear as day.

"It is a fight for basic digital liberties. It is a fight for our right to privacy. It is a fight for net neutrality. There is no getting around it." -- by Jens Roland

I'm sure more information will come soon.