http://apcmag.com/ APC Magazine covers the latest in computing with a critical, independent eye to help you make the most of your tech dollar. http://apcmag.com//aggrieved-megaupload-users-threaten-to-sue-fbi-over-legitimate-lost-data.htm http://apcmag.com//aggrieved-megaupload-users-threaten-to-sue-fbi-over-legitimate-lost-data.htm

Without condoning any illegal conduct of shutdown storage site MegaUpload, pirate parties are condemning its seizure and coordinating potential legal reprisals against the US.]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:08:48 +1000 http://apcmag.com//anti-sopa-internet-blackout-today-said-to-number-7000-sites-going-dark.htm http://apcmag.com//anti-sopa-internet-blackout-today-said-to-number-7000-sites-going-dark.htm

A reported 7,000 websites including Wikipedia will take part today in a voluntary internet blackout worldwide to raise awareness of the controversial SOPA & PIPA anti-piracy bills.]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:11:26 +1000 http://apcmag.com//how-to-rip-anything-get-legal-content-via-torrents.htm http://apcmag.com//how-to-rip-anything-get-legal-content-via-torrents.htm

The BitTorrent protocol lets you find and download massive (and small) files from the internet – here’s how to do it and where to get legal torrents.]]> Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//2-0-iinet-wins-film-industrys-piracy-appeal.htm http://apcmag.com//2-0-iinet-wins-film-industrys-piracy-appeal.htm

Signalling a possible end to one of the most contentious techno-legal stoushes of recent times, the Full Federal Court of Australia today dismissed AFACT's appeal.]]> Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:53:24 +1000 http://apcmag.com//crowd-funded-thriller-could-be-studios-worst-nightmare.htm http://apcmag.com//crowd-funded-thriller-could-be-studios-worst-nightmare.htm

Sydney filmmakers try to raise $135,000 to fund production of thriller flick – and then give it away on BitTorrent. Will it flop? Or will it have studios screaming in horror?]]> Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:18:14 +1000 http://apcmag.com//australia-to-get-its-own-hulu-style-vod-service.htm http://apcmag.com//australia-to-get-its-own-hulu-style-vod-service.htm

Australians may soon have access to streaming TV shows Hulu-style through a new start-up from a couple of former industry heavyweights.]]> Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:15:25 +1000 http://apcmag.com//opinion-snooping-law-would-make-copyright-suits-afact-of-life.htm http://apcmag.com//opinion-snooping-law-would-make-copyright-suits-afact-of-life.htm

A proposal to log your every move online would not only violate your privacy, but provide the missing link for studios to sue file sharers within an inch of their lives.]]> Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//appeal-wont-stop-illegal-downloads-iinet.htm http://apcmag.com//appeal-wont-stop-illegal-downloads-iinet.htm

iiNet this afternoon rejected a renewed legal challenge by a coalition of film and TV studios as "disappointing and frustrating", adding it would not stop piracy.]]> Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:27:15 +1000 http://apcmag.com//afacts-futile-battle-against-iinet-is-like-the-plot-line-of-the-wire.htm http://apcmag.com//afacts-futile-battle-against-iinet-is-like-the-plot-line-of-the-wire.htm

It came to me the other night, when I was watching The Wire, that the drug trade it focuses on are very similar to that of the online copyright infringement struggle.]]> Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:11:03 +1000 http://apcmag.com//new-piracy-trial-afact-to-appeal-iinet-verdict.htm http://apcmag.com//new-piracy-trial-afact-to-appeal-iinet-verdict.htm

The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) today said it would appeal the Federal Court's judgement against the group in its internet piracy case against iiNet. ]]> Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:43:51 +1000 http://apcmag.com//windows-7-security-checks-get-tougher.htm http://apcmag.com//windows-7-security-checks-get-tougher.htm

The latest raft of Windows 7 patches will bring one that rings home to Microsoft more often to check your copy is legit. ]]> Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:25:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//queensland-mario-piracy-man-fined-15m.htm http://apcmag.com//queensland-mario-piracy-man-fined-15m.htm

It's-a-bloody-big-fine-Mario!]]> Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:09:26 +1000 http://apcmag.com//conroy-to-closely-examine-iinet-verdict.htm http://apcmag.com//conroy-to-closely-examine-iinet-verdict.htm

Pro-censorship Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says he will examine what the failure of the AFACT lawsuit against iiNet means for the industry. ]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:40:17 +1000 http://apcmag.com//give-us-your-movies-iinet-says-to-studios.htm http://apcmag.com//give-us-your-movies-iinet-says-to-studios.htm

Rather than lashing out at the movie studios for wasting a year of iiNet's time, managing director Michael Malone has offered a peace deal.]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:51:20 +1000 http://apcmag.com//iitrial-verdict-telstra-applauds-legal-clarity-over-user-piracy.htm http://apcmag.com//iitrial-verdict-telstra-applauds-legal-clarity-over-user-piracy.htm

Australia's largest telco has welcomed the Federal Court verdict against a consortium of film and TV studios that tried to sue iiNet.]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:11:19 +1000 http://apcmag.com//afact-appeals-to-government-over-iitrial-loss.htm http://apcmag.com//afact-appeals-to-government-over-iitrial-loss.htm

The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) says it is disappointed at losing the iiTrial and believes the federal government was hoping iiNet would lose.]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:28:09 +1000 http://apcmag.com//iinet-judgement-vindicates-our-stance.htm http://apcmag.com//iinet-judgement-vindicates-our-stance.htm

Australian ISP iiNet this afternoon said its victory in the Federal Court was a vindication of the claim that it had never supported or encouraged illegal behaviour amongst users.]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:49:09 +1000 http://apcmag.com//pirate-party-australia-rejoices-over-iinet-verdict.htm http://apcmag.com//pirate-party-australia-rejoices-over-iinet-verdict.htm

And there was much drinkin' and AFACT's scurvy bastards were made to walk the plank. (Serious statements also included.)]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:20:16 +1000 http://apcmag.com//federal-court-iinet-did-not-infringe-copyright.htm http://apcmag.com//federal-court-iinet-did-not-infringe-copyright.htm

iiNet landed a sound victory in court today, with movie studios being ordered to pay iiNet's full costs and the ISP being exonerated of copyright infringement charges.]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:05:40 +1000 http://apcmag.com//iinet-wins-piracy-trial.htm http://apcmag.com//iinet-wins-piracy-trial.htm

Australian ISP iiNet was today announced as the victor in its long-running defence against a lawsuit by major film and TV studios.]]> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:06:39 +1000 http://apcmag.com//star-trek-tops-2009s-list-of-most-pirated-movies.htm http://apcmag.com//star-trek-tops-2009s-list-of-most-pirated-movies.htm

The sci-fi remake clocked up almost 11 million BitTorrent downloads in the eight months since its release, making it the pick of the pirates for 2009.]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:48:24 +1000 http://apcmag.com//bittorrent-hub-pushes-ahead-with-next-gen-file-sharing-network.htm http://apcmag.com//bittorrent-hub-pushes-ahead-with-next-gen-file-sharing-network.htm

While the stoush continues over The Pirate Bay, fellow Torrent hub IsoHunt is rolling out its own ‘social file sharing’ project.]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//microsoft-shuts-the-doors-on-windows-7-pirates.htm http://apcmag.com//microsoft-shuts-the-doors-on-windows-7-pirates.htm

Last week we reported on Windows 7 being pirated in the wild. This week, Microsoft and Lenovo are trying to repair the damage, locking out pirates.]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:33:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//windows-7-product-activation-cracked-already.htm http://apcmag.com//windows-7-product-activation-cracked-already.htm

In what promises to be a very long-running battle, crackers have already found a way around the product activation in Windows 7]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:28:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//stephen-fry-confesses-im-a-bittorrent-pirate.htm http://apcmag.com//stephen-fry-confesses-im-a-bittorrent-pirate.htm

UK’s highly-regarded doyen of the digerati stuns audience at an Apple iTunes event by admitting that he downloads TV shows via BitTorrent!]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:00:35 +1000 http://apcmag.com//microsoft-ditches-windows-genuine-advantage-in-windows-7.htm http://apcmag.com//microsoft-ditches-windows-genuine-advantage-in-windows-7.htm

But you can put away that celebratory bottle of bubbly... the widely criticised anti-piracy system is just having its name changed to Windows Activation.]]> Tue, 12 May 2009 23:36:10 +1000 http://apcmag.com//pirates-agree-not-to-crack-game.htm http://apcmag.com//pirates-agree-not-to-crack-game.htm

One video game developer is working to combat piracy by asking pirates nicely.]]> Fri, 01 May 2009 17:54:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//windows-7-release-candidate-leaked-to-bittorrent.htm http://apcmag.com//windows-7-release-candidate-leaked-to-bittorrent.htm

Ahead of this week’s expected debut for the Windows 7 ‘release candidate’, it seems that the RC1 edition – labelled Build 7100 – has already hit the BitTorrent network]]> Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:37:55 +1000 http://apcmag.com//pirate-bay-found-guilty-receives-jail-time.htm http://apcmag.com//pirate-bay-found-guilty-receives-jail-time.htm

A court in Stockholm has found the four founders of The Pirate Bay BitTorrent site guilty of providing access to copyright works over BitTorrent.]]> Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//experts-to-microsoft-set-your-windows-patches-free.htm http://apcmag.com//experts-to-microsoft-set-your-windows-patches-free.htm

There’s a growing call for Microsoft to drop its Windows Genuine Activation process so that every Windows user can keep their PC completely up to date.]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:32:53 +1000 http://apcmag.com//movie-cammer-walks-free-mpa-disappointed.htm http://apcmag.com//movie-cammer-walks-free-mpa-disappointed.htm

Despite worldwide attention, a 26 year old Australian man has got off a movie piracy charge with little more than a slap on the wrist from Blacktown Local Court.]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//simon-klose-please-pirate-my-documentary-i-beg-you.htm http://apcmag.com//simon-klose-please-pirate-my-documentary-i-beg-you.htm

Simon Klose, Swedish filmmaker, is a rare breed. He wants his film pirated.]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//chinese-crackers-break-itunes-algorithm-delivering-high-qanitity-content-for-next-to-nothing.htm http://apcmag.com//chinese-crackers-break-itunes-algorithm-delivering-high-qanitity-content-for-next-to-nothing.htm

As if creating knock-offs of handbags, sunglasses, shoes and clothing isn’t enough, Chinese hackers have now created a brand new industry: fake iTunes gift card sales.]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//pirate-bay-goes-on-trial-20-things-you-need-to-know.htm http://apcmag.com//pirate-bay-goes-on-trial-20-things-you-need-to-know.htm

The world's largest BitTorrent tracker, on trial for piracy in Sweden, is providing live updates via Twitter. Here are 20 key facts you need to know, in 140 characters or less.]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:12:12 +1000 http://apcmag.com//underbelly-2-episodes-hit-the-net.htm http://apcmag.com//underbelly-2-episodes-hit-the-net.htm

Channel 9 is making Underbelly 2 available for download on the web straight after each episode airs.]]> Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:14:46 +1000 http://apcmag.com//ethical_trojan_blocks_bittorrent_sites.htm http://apcmag.com//ethical_trojan_blocks_bittorrent_sites.htm

A fake keygen for pirated software tries to stop you pirating anything at all by blocking out popular Torrent sites. Hollywood probably loves it. Perhaps they even programmed it. ]]> Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//windows_7_beta_1_busts_loose_onto_bittorent.htm http://apcmag.com//windows_7_beta_1_busts_loose_onto_bittorent.htm

Ahead of an expected preview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week, the fresh-baked beta edition of Windows 7 has already broken cover and hit the Web.]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//christmas_surprise_australian_government_to_trial_p2p_filters.htm http://apcmag.com//christmas_surprise_australian_government_to_trial_p2p_filters.htm

The Rudd government didn't tell voters before the election, but now it has revealed it will filter illegal P2P transfers at a government level as part of its ISP filtering plan.]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:22:44 +1000 http://apcmag.com//iinet_piracy_case_starts_in_federal_court.htm http://apcmag.com//iinet_piracy_case_starts_in_federal_court.htm

iiNet says it will vigorously defend itself against AFACT's claims that it authorised piracy among its users, but the case looks set to be a long battle.]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:21:38 +1000 http://apcmag.com//in_australia_movie_watches_you__with_night_vision_camera.htm http://apcmag.com//in_australia_movie_watches_you__with_night_vision_camera.htm

Hey you in the back row snogging -- security guards in cinemas will now be watching you with night vision cameras.]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:00:53 +1000 http://apcmag.com//afact_v_iinet_the_case_that_could_shut_down_the_internet.htm http://apcmag.com//afact_v_iinet_the_case_that_could_shut_down_the_internet.htm

We've asked prominent legal experts for their opinion on iiNet's chances of successfully defending itself in the user piracy lawsuit.]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:52:06 +1000 http://apcmag.com//why_iinet_will_probably_lose_the_piracy_lawsuit.htm http://apcmag.com//why_iinet_will_probably_lose_the_piracy_lawsuit.htm

A look at the Copyright Act suggests the movie and TV industry have an unfortunately strong case against iiNet. PLUS: Read the court documents yourself.]]> Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:41:28 +1000 http://apcmag.com//scapegoat_iinet_sued_over_bittorrent_piracy.htm http://apcmag.com//scapegoat_iinet_sued_over_bittorrent_piracy.htm

Internet service provider iiNet is being sued by seven Hollywood movie studios for failing to disconnect users who allegedly swapped pirated movies via BitTorrent.]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:46:12 +1000 http://apcmag.com//microsoft_windows_7_torrents_are_a_fact_of_life.htm http://apcmag.com//microsoft_windows_7_torrents_are_a_fact_of_life.htm

Microsoft has stopped just a millimetre short of giving royal consent for users to download pirated copies of Windows 7 that have hit the trackers.]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:41:05 +1000 http://apcmag.com//windows_7_hits_the_torrent_sites.htm http://apcmag.com//windows_7_hits_the_torrent_sites.htm

You don’t have to wait until next year to try Windows 7 – Microsoft’s successor to Vista is on the Net right now and ready for you to illegally download!]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:35:38 +1000 http://apcmag.com//bittorrent_man_gets_18_months_prison.htm http://apcmag.com//bittorrent_man_gets_18_months_prison.htm

If you've recently downloaded the latest ep of Prison Break, you might potentially find yourself in the less pleasing role of prison bitch -- ask 26 year old Daniel Dove.]]> Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:46:06 +1000 http://apcmag.com//pirated_windows_more_impressive_than_the_real_thing.htm http://apcmag.com//pirated_windows_more_impressive_than_the_real_thing.htm

The latest version of TinyXP has hit the pirate boards. SP3-integrated and with more tools than you can poke a stick at, it gives XP a new lease on life. Shame it's illegal.]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:48:02 +1000 http://apcmag.com//google_helps_users_fight_nosy_isps.htm http://apcmag.com//google_helps_users_fight_nosy_isps.htm

Is your ISP screwing up your P2P downloads? Google is set to release a tool that will let you find out for sure.]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//azureus_is_dead_long_live_vuze.htm http://apcmag.com//azureus_is_dead_long_live_vuze.htm

Azureus has gone the same way as Napster and Kazaa... though this time the RIAA wasn't involved; Azureus' makers pulled the plug themselves.]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//bluescreen__sad_songs_say_so_much.htm http://apcmag.com//bluescreen__sad_songs_say_so_much.htm

Bluescreen | A US judge has jailed APC for five years for copyright infringement. Time to start singing the sad songs.]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//internode_goes_altbacktothefuture.htm http://apcmag.com//internode_goes_altbacktothefuture.htm

Internode has given its broadband customers a free ticket to warez, porn, pirate TV shows and movie downloads.]]> Fri, 02 May 2008 08:22:43 +1000 http://apcmag.com//prepare_for_your_laptop_to_be_searched.htm http://apcmag.com//prepare_for_your_laptop_to_be_searched.htm

If your notebook is filled with porn, P2P or even just too many iTunes downloads, you might want to think twice before taking it on your next holiday -- especially to the US.]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:10:31 +1000 http://apcmag.com//create_your_own_torrent_tracker_in_a_few_clicks_with_snakebite.htm http://apcmag.com//create_your_own_torrent_tracker_in_a_few_clicks_with_snakebite.htm

Snakebite is the world's first drag and drop auto torrent seeder that makes sharing files over bittorrent easier than ever before. It's news the acronymic bad guys, the RIAA and MPAA, are just going to love.]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2006 06:15:07 +1000