Founded in 2006, Rapidshare is by far one of the most popular sites online. With a storage capacity of several petabytes and a high-speed connection that simultaneously transfers hundreds of gigabytes, It is also the world's largest and most used file-hosting site.
Basic features of rapidshare
Users may browse for files they would like to upload to the site from their computers. After the file has been uploaded, you receive a unique download link along with a unique delete link. This download link can be shared and can be downloaded up to ten times.
By this point you may create a collector's account from which users can email file download links directly. When you email a download link to a friend, your friend will have the option of downloading as a premium or free user. Interestingly enough, most people opt to download as a free user.
Also in the entertainment area, gamers can find the latest patches, demos and trailers that they may download with their rapidshare premium accounts. The latest movies and games are also exchanged illegally via this medium.Given the facilities that this site offers to users, it is no wonder why it has become a vast empire of internet piracy.
It must be a daunting reality for the producers of multimedia products, in knowing that their intellectual property can be conveniently downloaded online with no compensation to them.
The fight against piracy
According to Kendra Srivastava's article entitled Companies Team Up to Stop Piracy; "Internet service providers are joining with entertainment companies to curb online piracy, in a controversial move to wage war on illegal file-sharing". In this endeavour, Internet Service Providers seek to implement a six-strikes-and you're-out warning system which will target those suspected of illegally downloading copyright protected music and movies from websites such as Bittorrent, Rapidshare and the like.
The companies involved in this bid include, the Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association of America, and ISPs AT&T, Cablevision, Comcast, Verizon and Time Warner Cable.
They plan to issue six warnings to users who download copyrighted material. This will be served through their ISPs. Repeat offenders may experience reductions in their Internet speeds, and even a suspension of their Internet service. Even though this plan still faces some obstacles to full implementation it bears a great prospect for copyright holders who lose millions of dollars per year to piracy.
Additionally, Google and Bing recently blocked popular piracy terms from its Auto-Complete service, to the effect that Mediafire, Rapidshare and Bittorrent can no longer be found in Google's search bar. These strategies come in the wake of the proliferation of pirated material that may accessed online.
The prospect of putting a deserved end to Internet piracy requires the concentrated effort of huge organizations and firms such as those mentioned within this article.
Sources:
- Boswell, W. (n.d.) Rapidshare-What is Rapidshare and How do I use it? Retrieved from About on 19/08/2011.
- Srivastava, K. (2011, July 8) Companies Team Up to Stop Piracy. Mobiledia. Retreived from Mobiledia on 19/08/2011.
- What is Rapidshare? (n.d.) Retrieved from Rapidmatic on 19/08/2011.
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