What is the TRUE legal issues of running a warez forum?

[BrandonG]

Hello,

I wasn't sure where else to post this, and i'm sure you guys have some comments on it.

I wanted to know, I found some offshore hosting allowing "warez linking".

Say I open up a forum for it, and then link some warez, organize it to allow warez, etc.


Would that be illegal? I currently reside in the US. I know it's illegal in someway, but would I get fined / prosecuted for it?

I'm really curious, anyone care to comment?


Brandon

 

[HostMantis]

Since you live in the US, there is a very good chance you could lose the domain name you are using for the site and could also be prosecuted.

 

[labrocca]

Despite the impression that warez forums are illegal. I challenge someone to post the US law stating that.

The issue is not owning a forum with links to downloads. The legal problem is sharing links, hosting files knowingly and uploading warez. Forum content created by a 3rd party (posts) are not the legal responsibility of the site owner. There are actual US laws protecting the site owner from prosecution. These are in effect to protect any website or ISP where content is created by a third party. Imagine the owner of Wikipedia sued or jailed for content created by an editor? Imagine Google CEO going to jail because they indexed an adult image. Certainly Google is the #1 website online to find Warez links.

But for most warez sites there is no profit. You won't find advertisers, you run the risk of lawsuits, and hosting is more expensive for offshore. You'll also be ddos attacked regularly probably. So the real question is why bother when you can make a forum on a legit topic and circumvent all these possible problems?

 

[BrandonG]

Thanks guys, that was VERY informative .


I think i'll stick to NO warez.

Edit; haha, I just realized you're the owner of HF. Definitely taking your advice.