A Certain Hoodlum
 
CLASS / SIEGE
 
TYPE Leader
 
How do you think the US government's actions concerning piracy will change over the next year?
We can safely assume it depends mostly upon how much government funding those organizations authorized to make arrests are given. Believe it or not going after individuals does cost money, which comes from tax payers like you and me. Knowing the United States government, much like that of any other country - for those parties to make any kind of serious nation wide move similar to cyberstrike, (whose effects some of us are still feeling now) would require SERIOUS urging by SPA/PAP type organizations who in their search for "justice for the catalysts of the software industry" really end up paving the way for the pirates of tomorrow. History has proven time and again that rebellion strives under tyrannical rule; you try toshut these guys down and they just organize, strategize and hit you in your pockets harder from deeper underground. As far as prosecution goes, we'll just have to wait and see. I'm sure the ignorance (and perhaps stupidity)of certain federal agencies will lead to small-time pirates/bootleggers going down on trumped up charges in an attempt to make an example of them.
 
Who will be the first to be convicted under the new laws and how will this group of people react?
Chances are, ISPs will tighten up security, preventing web pages supporting piracy from even going up in the first place. I maintain my belief that F.A.'s really don't know much about how the active pirate/bootlegging operations function, so we'll see a lot of traders and average joe's getting picked up and sensationalized. Main targets will most likely remain those who profit personally by selling copies of software/music to the public (you know who you are; heed the warnings).
 
What effect will these convictions have on the rest of the scene?
Some will run, some will hide, some will become more defiant. This may sound a bit sadistic, but a large scale bust every couple of years is beneficial to the OVERALL scene and paves the way for the greater good. Often times, things get out of hand, and what should be underground becomes public and commercialized to some extent. Put the fear of God in some of these big-headed group-leaders with their commercialized groups and you see scene 'values' change and revitalize. Those who once sold commemorative cds and similar memorabilia via their shockwave enhanced publicly accessible webpages, are now scared for their lives so they inevitably close up shop.
 
How is the warez scene going to be different a year from now because of the NET act?
We can only hope we'll see fewer 'warez offer-channels' on IRC networks. We may see groups become more secretive and/or sysops/siteops more security minded. But in all honesty and realistically, don't expect to see many noticeable changes. Europe and Canada/South America will go unaffected; so don't look for the gears of progress to stop just because of some law written on paper and the busts of a few insignificants.
 
Will there be any positive effects on the scene?
I think I mentioned those above in my response to question #3.
 
How will the NET act effect you personally?
Life goes on for me. If I choose to continue my activities in the scene, be assured I WILL continue them; within reason of course which is dictated by my better judgement. After all, besides being able to try out software we would otherwise never have the opportunity to even look at, we are also driven by the fact that we are in defiance of the law and are pushing the boundaries. We've got 10 million active Robin Hoods and 20 million more who aren't even aware they're part of the cycle.
 
What advice would you give to people in the warez scene about the NET act?
Do not DISREGARD it. The key is self-education. If you understand that which threatens you, it no longer becomes a threat; because via proper analyzation you are able to make rational decisions and decide for yoursslf exactly what risks you want to take and are able to take. So hit the web and search for online resources, read the paper/listen to the news - browse online publications like Scenelink and similar webzines which open forums of discussion on these topics. Be sure to understand that for the vast majority of you, when your interest in the scene is long gone, you will want to be able to continue with the fulfillment of your life; be it a carreer or a family or whatever. Don't curb that destiny by doing stupid shit in the pursuit "cyberpower". These kids run around in the scene like they ownsome shit or like they are respected and their lives now have meaning. Well that fame and power you may hold is fleeting, and when it's gone and the swelling in your head has ceased you may very well find yourself flat on your ass trying to get other facets of your life back in order. It's only a hobby, keep it fun and non-profit. Good luck to you all in the future.