Notice to anyone using Rapidshare

[CharlieChomper]

In case you haven't heard, in Germany (where the service is based), the site has handed over personal details involving users (especially those uploading content onto it) to several major record labels--in, at least, one instance, this led to a person's home being raided by police.

[Felicity]

Surely they wouldnt do that if it wasnt justified.

I am not clued up with these things, but surely if you upload "illegal, or even unsavoury content" which perhaps goes against the terms of agreement of the site, they can take action.
Just a thought!

Felicity

[CharlieChomper]

Leaving the more controversial aspects out of this--namely the filesharing issue...

Under Germany copyright law, a rights holder of material legally can obtain information from an ISP/internet provider via a court order.

In this instance, however, the labels took things a bit further and were able to obtain a court order against Rapidshare (based upon the content) to obtain the information in question (sometimes all that was needed really was an IP address and the internet providers/ISPs then gave the company the information that was requested).

As Rapidshare is based in Germany, they were obligated by German law (as a result of the court order) to comply. As a result, it's set a precedent for any other company based in Germany.

Part of what makes it significant is that amongst the reasons some users have historically taken to using Rapidshare was with the understanding that their information would not be disclosed.