Will the heavy fines stop the downloading of free content from the internet?

I think so too Wadeys, it is almost like they're fighting a losing battle with this one..

It may not teach anyone anything except those who got fined who will probably learn not to use the internet for downloading illegal content but I very much doubt that...

I think they would have more success if they tackled the sites (file sharing, tv links, movie links and the like..) that do not restrict this illegal sharing as they do not stop the people uploading or downloading this content as the more people to their sites, the more ad revenue and the like...
I do not think many internet users are aware the content they may be downloading is illegal or those who do will just do it anyway as it is available and FREE

I am also a music lover and also watch TV episodes and movies online...
I can get the whole point of view of the music, games and films industry but the content is available and FREE online so shouldn't they be suing the uploaders and sites that are not policingthis, not the users/downloadees who are only after a bargain where they can find one?
Even then, shouldn't they have started sooner before the younger generations picked up on this? They may be suing left, right and center for a while..

The funny thing is that the same people will say recording tv shows is illegal and they will sell you recorders and internet connection and file sharing system and then come back after you.

That's right bigtom! A lot of people who do not have the time to sit and watch TV programmes at the time that they're aired could find themselves sued for watching those TV episode links online too as well as those that upload them and a lot of poor people who can't afford to watch movies in cinemas e.g some have to pay for a sitter to watch the kids and the tickets..Others just can't afford to go to a cinema period or can't afford to buy music or films, why wouldn't they use the available FREE online links? don't know..

They haven't even yet eliminated these people you see on the streets trying to make a living selling those copies done with someone sitting in the cinema with a videocam haha:)
Maybe in years to come, we'll all be myLotting

It will take a heck of a lot of work to stop this and some people have been victimised for something that is next to impossible to curb
Even the fines imposed are ridiculous, one will just claim bankruptcy and never have to pay a dime of it I guess and not sure what the other users would learn really except for knowing they're scare tactics but that's all I'm saying hehe

Hi Tamara, I do not think a lot of people know that the content they may be downloading is illegal and I too think the law should be looking out for the people higher up this chain than the user they are suing as tackling the users does not get rid of the source of the problem..

if some sites did not offer free down loads, there would not be any illegal activaty.

Yes, if the content was not offered by the sites and the 'uploaders' in the first place, it would not be available to the users to download..
There is very few sites and I only know of one here that have been penalised for this, the rest continue to operate as normal

I don't think people know whether it is legal content or not either and even what copywrighted material is for that matter and yes, FREE is always good and we are not yet living in a world where people check something is copywrighted first(also maybe depends on which industry you're in...)
Reminds me, I need to read up some more on copyright laws

I have used file sharing and P2P sites mainly for music and I think if governmentswant to tackle this issue, they need to start with the sites themselves and not jump straight on to users without penalising those that provide the sites and platforms to enable this sharing as these same sites should be vetting this already and beyond writing it in their T&Cs and TOS

Yes, I think monitoring every site would require a huge amount of resources, time and effort by the people doing the crackdown.. so it seems like they're fighting a losing battle here and should have nipped this in the bud in the beginning, I don't know how than many years later when it is very much a part of the use of the internet

I do not see fines stopping this and yes, it will be disguised and someone may come up with a way to copywright everything falsely that is if they aren't already..
I think this does not only apply to software, it applies to music and movies which should be also provided at affordable prices and by that I mean, prices that the second and third world countries can afford as it is likely never going to stop.. I am sure you have come across thoseillegal CDs and DVDs sold on the streets

I think the prices of music CDs and DVDs can really not be afforded by many including those in the countries where they're made. A significant reduction in this would reduce piracy and the illegal online content that people make an effort to seek out