Comcast is blocking your file sharing
21 comments
Filed in Features
Gee…lookie here…another frustrating thing about Comcast. New to their stable of annoyances is traffic restrictions placed on file sharing. Yes, they actually figure out if you’re sharing files, and either cripple your access during the upload, or block it completely. So far, only uploads are affected, but what good is downloading something if no one can upload it? If adopted by other ISPs, the concept of file-sharing could fall into oblivion quickly. Since when is an ISP responsible for policing its users and their content? Besides, isn’t that what the Government’s for?
On Oct 19, 2007 @ 1:42 pm, funrun[GER] Said:
That is illegal, isn’t it? In Germany it is. The providers are not allowed to do such things, unless they write that into the terms and conditions. Did they write that?!
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 1:43 pm, bayport Said:
sounds like china like inspired censorship of internet traffic to me.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 1:50 pm, Gregg Said:
And it isn’t just BitTorrent traffic. This is wreaking havoc with standard Lotus Notes replication between clients and corporate servers.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 2:15 pm, Galvatron Said:
Heck tmoble an cox let yo file share comcrap is what it is.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 2:35 pm, Hinano Said:
Thank god I don’t live in NJ anymore. Hopefully TimeWarner won’t sink this low.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 2:45 pm, CGun Said:
I give time warner two weeks to adopt this. Once it happens I’ll go back to dial-up.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 2:59 pm, S Said:
Well, it’s in their terms of service… If you’re file sharing you’re probably going to “upload, post, publish, transmit, reproduce, create derivative works of, or distribute in any way information, software or other material obtained through the Service or otherwise that is protected by copyright or other proprietary right, without obtaining permission of the owner”.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 3:35 pm, matthew Said:
S: That doesn’t apply to people who are sharing files they legally own the right to share. Comcast isn’t trying to restrict illegal file sharing, they’re trying to restrict all file sharing because of its bandwidth implications. I don’t think they really care that much whether what you’re sharing is legal or not.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 3:38 pm, Mike Jalkut Said:
If you think that’s scary, read the contract about what they can do to your email.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 5:40 pm, rosegold Said:
they can’t just block your uploads they have no way of knowing if you are sharing files legally/illegally…
CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!!
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 6:30 pm, Michaels Views Said:
If its not in there Terms of Agreement than they are totally FUCKING there customers.
Where there’s a will theres a way. And honestly I have never ever read anything fantastic about comcast.
Sounds like a little bunch of hitlers, nazi’s running the fucking company that has shitty and half assed service and there customer support sucks so bad, there is not enough space here to talk about it.
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 6:50 pm, b.N Said:
this is new? I’ve had my upload capped several times with comcast out in another part of my state due to my uploading (in the past).
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 8:40 pm, hill Said:
This story was on Digg about 3 months ago..
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On Oct 19, 2007 @ 11:44 pm, downsouth821 Said:
To the guys who say they wish Time Warner dont sink this low. Its only a matter of time cause here in houston comcast has bought out Time warner. And from what im hearing its going throught the whole U.S. So Time Warner is bye bye
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On Oct 20, 2007 @ 12:40 am, trinybwoy Said:
Who owns cablevision: optimum online?
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On Oct 20, 2007 @ 8:56 am, funrun[GER] Said:
@ Michaels Views
LOL I guess you do not know what a nazi is
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On Oct 20, 2007 @ 1:31 pm, easterlily Said:
i think ‘comcrap’ sucks!! i wish some solid competition would arise. comcast is getting way too powerful (just like at&t)!!
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On Oct 20, 2007 @ 4:14 pm, logmonkey Said:
This is non-news. Read your customer agreement.
Every ISP that’s large enough to afford the equipment is going to be doing this.
It’s black letter law in Title II of the DMCA.
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On Oct 20, 2007 @ 11:16 pm, RAS Said:
From Wikipedia:
[i]DMCA Title II, the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act (”OCILLA”) [b]creates a safe harbor for online service providers (OSPs, including ISPs) against copyright liability if they adhere to and qualify for certain prescribed safe harbor guidelines and promptly block access to allegedly infringing material[/b] (or remove such material from their systems) if they receive a notification claiming infringement from a copyright holder or the copyright holder’s agent.[/i] (emphasis mine)
Comcast is protecting themselves from potential liability in filesharing lawsuits. They don’t give a rat’s ass what you’re doing, unless it can implicate them and cost them money. They’re not being Nazis, they’re being a typical corporation and doing the “CYA” (cover your ass) routine.
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On Oct 20, 2007 @ 11:44 pm, Zachary Said:
no, thats not what the governments for… but seriously, thats definitely not what your ISP is for… good thing I’m on Cox…
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On Oct 21, 2007 @ 1:45 am, Jeff B. Said:
Dude, c’mon, its f**king comcast. The hell do you expect? A f**king parade?
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