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The VideoLAN project, which is based in France, was contacted by a French tax authority due to a torrent site linking to the VLC Media Player:
A few hours ago, Next INpact reported that VideoLAN had received a letter from the [National Tax Investigation Branch of the French Ministry for the Economy and Finance], asking for detailed information on Torrent9.biz. The reason for the inquiry is that the site in question, also accessible via Torrent9.me, has a help section that explains how people can download torrents. This guide ends with a link to the VLC Media Player, as can be seen below [image].
While the Internet is full of links, the National Tax Investigation Branch suspected that VideoLAN was closely involved with the torrent site, asking the organization to hand over all sorts of documentation. Specifically, they requested "complete customer details," "bank details," "payment methods of the customer and date of last payment," and a copy of the "referencing contract" for the Torrent9.biz and Torrent9.me domains.
When confronted with the usual request by a reporter, the Ministry of Economy and Finance didn't give in. Instead, it reportedly stated that "if they have a link to your website, it's because you pay them: SEO is not free..," suggesting some kind of active cooperation. VideoLAN received quite a bit of support after the news broke as many people had trouble wrapping their head around the absurd situation. After a storm of protests, the authorities eventually decided to back down. In a response on Twitter, the ministry described the situation as an 'error of judgment,' adding that failures like this can always happen.
(Score: 1) by DeVilla on Wednesday February 01 2017, @12:21AM
I can't speak about France, but I know much of the US's laws are anti-optimized for non-commercial cooperation.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by Zz9zZ on Wednesday February 01 2017, @01:40AM
I think the default assumption is that any business relationship would involve a financial aspect, with non-profits being the only exception to the rule. The entire FLOSS concept is so alien to the most of the older generations, maybe it would best be explained with a metaphor: It is like being a good neighbor, when we all help each other out we build a stronger community. Benefits are not often tied to economics, though a strong community often results in better economic opportunities.
The problem with the 100% capitalist viewpoint is that everything gets commercialized and the value of human relationships / community gets dropped to the curb. In the US we view everything through the lens of money, although there is a growing wave of change going on as people realize money isn't the only goal in life.
~Tilting at windmills~
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 01 2017, @02:56AM
The upside to 100% capitalization is that people like me who are freaks can participate in the system instead of being violently assaulted or killed just for being born different.
Without capitalization, I would either get stoned to death, which is what most major religions believe should be done to people with the birth defect I have, or I would simply be left to starve, any land that I improved away from the asshole humans stolen from me. Because humans are assholes. The dehumanization present in extremist capitalist systems has the upside that, abstracted from my birth defect which is apparently some kind of sign that I was created by Satan himself (literally formed in the burning hells, ask any Christian or Muslim about the subject), I actually do have valuable skills to contribute.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 01 2017, @02:06PM
> although there is a growing wave of change going on as people realize money isn't the only goal in life.
Damn hippies.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 01 2017, @06:00PM
Score! The more you use your anger the more it turns against you. XOXO forever may the light shine and help you find inner peace.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 04 2017, @05:50AM
It is like being a good neighbor, when we all help each other out we build a stronger community. Benefits are not often tied to economics, though a strong community often results in better economic opportunities.
The last time they heard anyone talking like that, it was Joseph McCarthy interrogating them to make sure they WEREN'T engaged in that kind of activity.