Maestro4k's Journal: Stop the RIAA/MPAA contractor deploying malware trojans!

A recent article on /. tells about how the company Overpeer, contractors for the RIAA/MPAA to pollute P2P network downloads, has gone a step further. According to the PC World article, the files "contain code that can spawn a string of pop-up ads and install adware. They look just like regular songs or short videos in Windows Media format, but launch ads instead of media clips."

This is obviously something that shouldn't be happening. In fact in some states it is a crime. (So far I have heard that it is definitely a crime in Minnesota, not sure in others.) It's definitely something that needs to stop, we already have enough computer viruses, worms, trojans, adware and malware without Overpeer contributing to it in the name of stopping copyright infringement.

So what can you do to help? Write your state attorney's general office, pass along the information from the PC World article and ask them to look into the legality of Overpeer's actions. If enough people write, they'll definitely look into it. If it's illegal in your state they will hopefully take action. At worst we can hope for at least one state AG filing for an injunction against Overpeer to make them stop distributing these files to the citizens in their state. Since Overpeer really wouldn't be able to tell 100% by IP what state a computer's in, they'd have to stop completely once such an injunction was granted.

I also recommend you write Overpeer as well and let them know you'll be doing this, if they get enough heat they may stop to avoid risk of a lawsuit. Feel free to copy and paste from the draft of my E-mail to them below:

I recently came across this (http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119016,00.asp) PC World Article about your company's actions in creating trojaned windows media files to "seed" onto P2P networks. You should be aware that in several states, your actions will likely qualify as willfull computer hacking, being in the same category of offenses as computer virus, trojan and worm creation & release.

While your actions have not directly affected me (I have no use for P2P software), I am sure they have caused damage to other citizens in my state (Your stste here). I felt you should be aware that I am sending along the information in the PC World article to my state attorney's general office with a request that they look into the legality of your actions under XX state law.

Copyright infringment on P2P networks is both illegal and immoral, but that does not allow those fighting it to break laws as well. I am not sure if your actions are illegal under XX state law or not, but I am sure our attorney general will be able to make that determination.

I urge you to think through the potential ramifications of your actions, and to rethink your current course of action.

Sincerely,

Joe Cool (Or your name here :)

I should note that given their current actions I don't trust them so I used a disposable address from Spam Gourmet to send from and only signed my first name. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I figure any company who thinks it's OK to basically attack other people's computers in the name of stopping P2P just can't be trusted to know both my full name and state.

I'll post a copy of the letter I send to my state AG here for others to use as soon as I get it drafted. Let's put a stop to this type of behaviour, and let Overpeer know we're serious about stopping it!