I received an amusing little piece of spam today. I've excerpted bits below. Obviously, these people are assuming that they won't get caught, but what are the chances that someone will report them, and what are the chances that they will face any penalty? I'm just curious to see the gap between the law and the enforcement thereof.
Juliann Krute
L.L.M. Candidate, University of London
[----------------juliann[_at_]people-are.strange.com----------------]
Personal website now available. 6/98
[--------------http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~hyacinth-------------]
Begin Excerpts:
>
> Be aware of the truth that ALL popular software is easily downloadable
> from moving sites on the Internet. This includes virtually every game
> and 95% of application software titles. These are not shareware or
> crippled evaluation copies, they are full versions and are all FREE.
>
> We want you to stop paying for software today. Using pirated software is
> obviously illegal, but it is safe and easy.
>
> Computer fanatics have been doing this for more than 10 years. Formerly
> this practice was very complex and required specific and continually
> changing computer expertise. That is over. Because of the explosion
> of the web the method has become straight forward. This amazing
> loophole is described below.
>
> Power2People has been involved in the Internet 'warez' (internet slang
> for pirated software) scene for over 8 years and we have put all of our
> knowledge into the Software Freedom Guide. After reading the Guide,
> the endless maze of search engine 'warez' sites will collapse into a
> direct and simple path.
>
> This step by step guide describes absolutely everything the beginner
> needs to know to start finding 'warez' sites immediately. After you
> receive the Software Freedom Guide the concept of paying for software
> will become laughable. Once you are familiar with the way it works,
> you will start seeing new titles come up every day.
>
> ** Power2people provide the guide for $5
>
> Regardless, please forward this email to a friend because all software
> is FREE and they are just wasting money.
>
> All you need is a little time and the right information.
>
> When you receive the Software Freedom Guide you will be shown how to
> find the 'warez' hotspots and how to get access to the latest sites
> where you will be downloading software weeks before it reaches your
> local software retailer.
>
> You will have the resources of experienced software traders, and system
> administrators at your fingertips. You will learn all about how to
> use FTP, IRC, and the World Wide Web to find and download any software
> you want.
>
> There is no special computer knowledge required. All instructions are
> covered.
>
> *********************************************************
> Power2people wants you to have FREE Satellite TV as well.
> *********************************************************
>
> FREE DIGITAL SATELLITE TV
> (DSS Type System Only, DirecTV, USSB, SKY)
> >>North America - South America - Europe<<
>
> Presently tens of thousands of people receive 100% of all possible
> Satellite TV programming for FREE and so will you. We are able to
> guarantee your satisfaction.
>
> Consider the following:
> 1) 'Test devices' allow you to 'test' (watch) every single satellite
> channel available for FREE.
> 2) It is legal use 'test' devices world wide and legal to sell them
> outside of the US.
> 3) The DSS (SKY in Europe) system has always allowed 'testing' and
> always will, because of a fundamental design error.
> 4) DSS (Digital Satellite Systems) are cheaper than ever and can be
> purchased for as little as $50.
>
> POWER2PEOPLE has been following the DSS 'testing' scene for 4 years.
> We want you to benefit from our research for as small a price as
> possible. We will send you everything you need to know, step by
> step, to receive FREE DSS. We think that FREE Satellite TV is the
> greatest gift we can give.
>
> ** We provide the guide for $5 - If you are interested, read on. **
> If not please forward this email to a friend if they enjoy quality
> television.
>
> You can be enjoying all possible DSS broadcasts within a week of
> receiving our guidebook. It is completely legal because you are
> 'testing' the function of your satellite hardware. There are over
> 200 channels in digital sound and picture. The best picture and
> sound available, period.
>
> It is truly amazing and will improve your television experience in
> every way.
>
> POWER2PEOPLE WILL SEND YOU COMPLETE STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON THE
> FOLLOWING:
> - All 'test' devices described DDT's, B,L,T cards, emulators, combo
> cards, plastic cards, wedge cards, 3m cards etc.
> - Plans to build your own DDT card for less than $120
> - Complete instructions to get started 'cloning' and selling cards.
> - Full cloning hardware, software, and methods described.
> - Why test devices go down and why they will always come back up.
> - What an ECM (electronic counter measure) is and how they can be
> avoided.
> - How to deal with the satellite companies so as not to impede your
> freedom.
> - Which 'test device' developers are reputable and how to deal with
> athem.
>
> Beyond getting FREE Satellite TV, you can make money by 'cloning cards'
> for profit. It is easy. You will supply your customers with what they
> want; TV that is FREE, with better selection and a better picture &
> sound than they have ever seen. Hundreds of FREE movie choices per day
> and over 100 FREE Pay Per View choices less than 45 days from video
> release. Three adult networks broadcasting 24 hours a day and all
> for FREE.
[snip additional offers to spam on your behalf, etc and ordering information.]
> c/o POWER2PEOPLE
> 110 Eugenie St W Suite 430
> Windsor, Ont.
> Canada, N8X 4Y6
>
> GUARANTEE
> If you are displeased in any way, simply return the Guide(s) to us and
> we will send you a check for $3. We regret that we cannot refund
> shipping and material costs. The 'Complete Bulk Email Startup Kit'
> is nonrefundable and therefore not guaranteed.
>
> DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
> My signature below indicates my agreement to the following two
> paragraphs and that I am over 18 years of age.
>
> Power2people provides 'information' for educational and entertainment
> purposes only. The purchaser is responsible for consulting and adhering
> to any applicable laws and statutes in their area. Power2people does
> not endorse, advocate, recommend, advise, support, and shall not be
> held liable for the breaking of any law.
>
> IN NO EVENT WILL power2people BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY (i) for any direct,
> indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, but not
> limited to, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption,
> loss of programs or information, and the like), or any other damages
> arising in any way out of the availability, use, reliance on, or
> inability to use power2people or any 'information', regardless of the
> form of action, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise; or (ii)for
> any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies in
> or destructive properties of any 'information'.
Received on Sun Jun 28 1998 - 14:32:25 GMT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.2.0 : Mon Mar 26 2007 - 00:35:30 GMT