Thank You US Senator Ron Wyden for Defending Free Speech
US Senator Ron Wyden Worries Domain Seizures May Stifle Free Speech
Ernesto – TorrentFreak.com – 35 minutes ago.
Following on from news of the third phase of ‘piracy’ and counterfeit related domain seizures in 7 months, US Senator Ron Wyden has asked the director of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to clarify some of the most pressing questions. If the domain seizures are to continue, the Obama administration has to be more open about the need for them and the process involved, he argues.
Earlier this week we broke the news that US authorities had started a third round of domain seizures. This time, it turned out that the actions were aimed at sports streaming sites. In total, 10 domain names belonging to 6 websites were handed over to the authorities.
As with previous seizures, the actions of the authorities were met with disbelief by the sites’ owners and their millions of visitors. The owner of Rojadirecta, one of the affected sites, questioned the legitimacy of the seizure since his site has twice been declared legal in Spain. In addition, many further questions were raised.

http://torrentfreak.com/ice-torrent-finder-untruths-110119/

Today, we learned a little bit more about the justifications for the “Super Bowl Crackdown” after we obtained the affidavit that ICE agent Daniel Brazier sent to the US District Court. However, the request for a seizure warrant is very generic and leaves many questions unanswered.
Luckily, we’re not the only ones who want to find out more about the lack of due process and the need for domain seizures that comply with the DMCA. US Senator Ron Wyden asks the same questions.
In a letter addressed to ICE director John Morton he voiced his concerns, stating that the seizures are “alarmingly unprecedented” and that they could “stifle constitutionally protected speech.”
In addition, Senator Wyden asks the following.
—-1. How does ICE and DoJ measure the effectiveness of Operation In our Sites and domain seizures more  broadly — how does the government measure the benefits and costs of seizing domain names?
2. Of the nearly 100 domain names seized by the Obama Administration over the last 9 months, how many prosecutions  were initiated, how many indictments obtained, and how were the operators of these domain names provided due process?
3. What is the process for selecting a domain name for seizure and, specifically, what criteria are used?
a. Does the Administration make any distinction between domain names that are operated overseas  and those that are operated in the U.S.
b. Does the Administration consider whether a domain name operated overseas is in compliance with the domestic  law from which the domain name is operated?
c. What standard does the Administration use to ensure that domains are not seized that also facilitate legitimate speech?
d. What standards does ICE use to ensure that it does not seize the domain names of websites the legal status of  which could be subject to legitimate debate in a U.S. court of law; how does ICE ensure that seizures target on the true “bad actors?”
4. Does the Administration believe that hyperlinks to domain names that offer downloadable infringing content  represent a distribution of infringing content, or do they represent speech?
5. Does the Administration believe that websites that facilitate discussion about where to find infringing content  on the Internet represents speech or the distribution of infringed content? What if the discussion on these websites  includes hyperlinks to websites that offer downloadable, infringing content?
6. What standard does DoJ expect foreign countries to use when determining whether to seize a domain name  controlled in the U.S. for copyright infringement?
7. Did DoJ and ICE take into account the legality of Rojadirecta.org before it seized its domain name? If so, did DoJ and  ICE consult with the Department of State or the United States Trade Representative before seizing this site in order to  consider how doing so is consistent with U.S. foreign policy and commercial objectives
8. In an affidavit written by Special Agent Andrew Reynolds, he uses his ability to download four specific songs on the  domain name dajaz1.com as justification for seizure of this domain name. According to press accounts, the songs in  question were legally provided to the operator of the domain name for the purpose of distribution. Please explain the  Administration’s justification for continued seizure of this domain name and its rationale for not providing this  domain name operator, and others, due process.
9. Can you please provide to me a list of all the domain names seized by the Obama Administration since January of 2009  and provide the basis for their seizure?
10. Do ICE and DoJ keep a record of who meets with federal law enforcement about particular domain names? If not, would you   consider keeping such a record and making it publicly available, to ensure transparency in government and that Operation   in our Sites is not used to create competitive advantages in the marketplace?—-
The questions above cover most of the concerns that were raised among the public, and it will be very interesting to see how ICE’s director responds. Last time he responded to the domain seizures, Morton made quite a few mistakes, so we hope this time around the answers will be more substantial and honest.
Ernesto – TorrentFreak.com

My Music Inc701 Rossland Road East Ste 369WhitbyOntario L1N9K3Canada

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Domain Seizures Continue…

HOUSTON, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — When President Obama signs H.R. 4783 that passed the House yesterday by a vote of 256-152, this will provide an opportunity for a sixth critical year of funding for Healthy Marriage Education and Responsible Fatherhood programs.  
Included as par

View full post on PR Newswire: Policy & Public Interest

–Human Rights Upheld for Girls Around the World–
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Leading humanitarian organization CARE applauds the United States Senate today for passing the International Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2009 (S.987).  Under the leadership of Senators Ri

View full post on PR Newswire: Policy & Public Interest

Just because a cartoon can explain QE and POMO better than the mainstream media and blogosphere combined, here is all you needed to know about making money. In short: “Buy the fucking dip.” And, h.m.m.m., this is not PG-13.

View full post on Real Liberty Media

Five ways to shop on your own schedule — and still save big time

View full post on TIME.com: Top Nation and US stories

I live with my father. I am an adult who takes meds for depression. But I am doing alright on my meds. The reason I am living with my parents right now is because the economy is so bad in Florida right now and this county has the highest unemployment rate in Florida. Believe me, if I had enough money, I would move far away from here as soon as possible. Anyways, I think my father is bipolar or schizophrenic. His mother is schizophrenic. Usually everything is alright and then one day he starts screaming like bloody murder about everything and he starts bossing me around and threatens to kick me out. The yelling is intense. It comes out of nowhere. It is like shock and awe in the morning sometimes right away when I wake up. He cusses at me non stop and then I have to find somewhere to hide for the day. He has been like this since I was a small child. I spent a lot of time hiding and crying in my room when I was a kid and I think it affected me at school too. Anyways, I am old enough now to realize that he has a major anger management issue he has never dealt with. I seriously think he needs some type of meds or therapy. When him and my mother get together, they start blaming all of their problems on us (my brother and I). It makes no sense because I am a good quiet guy who has never been in trouble with the law or anything like that. I am a pretty peaceful guy. I don’t do any yelling. But I guarantee if we left he would still be the same way. He watches Lou Dobbs every night and screams at the television constantly about the sad state of the world but he doesn’t do anything about it. He doesn’t even vote. He can be just plain negative. He’s the type of guy that would leave a ballgame in the fifth inning if his team is losing by one run. Anyways, what should I do? I am applying everywhere and trying to get out of here but there are hiring freezes everywhere. This is very very stressful.

David Suchet: Murder on the Orient Express? No, just luxury, love and Poirot
Actor DAVID SUCHET – who returns to TV this Christmas as Agatha Christie’s legendary detective – has always dreamed of being a train driver.

Read more on Daily Mail

A documentary about the greatest tank of WWII. No tank had more firepower or armor than the Tiger Tank or the King Tiger.

If hunger is the product of dictators then who is protecting them,Europeans,Americans and they claim to be the champions of freedom,an,t they hippocrates and Response able for millions of lives in the name of politics religion and stakes,don,t you think human is just a human regard less of there faith creature of God,

If you live in the United States and someone foreign wants to come live in the U.S, and they ask you what is the american dream? How would you answer and please have detail. Don’t just say “liberty, pursuit of happiness” and all that crap in the documents. I’ve always wondered a detailed answer of others opinions. Thanks