V
Vindicated
Guest
What is the name of your state? California.
This question is related to internet piracy. My son was on the computer, he just got one of those Gmail email accounts. An online friend sent him a link to download a program called eMail2Pop, his online buddy also sent him a "cracK" (software that registers the program illegally). My son applied the illegal crack software and then a noticed poped up. The eMail2Pop program had a anti-crack system in place. His IP address, ISP, and other information was sent to the company of eMail2Pop. A browser window then poped up stating that if he does not pay an $80 Settlement fee within 48 hours legal action will be taken.
Here is what the webpage stated (copied and pasted):
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Now there are a lot of online scams, so I'm worried if this is one of them or if its real. If I should pay the fee or attempt to fight it. What are your opinions on what I should do?
I'm still pretty shocked by the whole situation. I'm not working right now (attending college full time). I don't think I can afford a lawer, I can barely afford the $80 fee. I'd have to dip into my savings which isn't much at this point.
I'd love to hear any advice. Thanks,
- Chris
This question is related to internet piracy. My son was on the computer, he just got one of those Gmail email accounts. An online friend sent him a link to download a program called eMail2Pop, his online buddy also sent him a "cracK" (software that registers the program illegally). My son applied the illegal crack software and then a noticed poped up. The eMail2Pop program had a anti-crack system in place. His IP address, ISP, and other information was sent to the company of eMail2Pop. A browser window then poped up stating that if he does not pay an $80 Settlement fee within 48 hours legal action will be taken.
Here is what the webpage stated (copied and pasted):
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--------PIRACY IS ILLEGAL
48 Hour Settlement Limit - READ CAREFULLY
Please read the following information very clearly. Your information has already been logged into our database so closing the window may result in legal action. Please read on to find out how to clear your name from legal prosecution.
Bookmark this page right now for future reference and remember your Violation ID so it can be cleared.
Piracy is one of the largest problems in the software industry. If all of our software today was free, then there would be no funding to support the industry. Please do your share and pay for the time that went into providing you with such a valuable service.
Why you are seeing this page - Your information has been stored on our servers because you were detected using an illegal device or unauthorized version of eMail2Pop designed to circumvent our software protections and use our software for free. Because PorkChup Solutions takes a ZERO TOLERANCE policy against piracy, warez, and cracks, eMail2Pop has sent personally identifiable information about you to our servers. We have logged everything - including but not limited to your IP address, ISP Information, and Physical and Software System Information. In addition, eMail2Pop may have collected the following - random documents to further identify you, your e-mail address and address book, select e-mails, AOL account information, and more. You authorized this information collection in the event of a piracy violation through the End User License Agreement.
What PorkChup Solutions will do with your information - Because you have potentially violated federal copyright and civil laws, PorkChup Solutions has the right to take you to trial seeking monetary penalties and jail time. By subpoenaing your ISP with the information eMail2Pop has collected about you, your ISP is required to disclose to us your personal billing information. With evidence provided by your ISP and the identifying information collected by eMail2Pop, PorkChup Solutions has enough information to quickly bring you to justice.
We do not want to initiate legal action - It is in PorkChup Solutions' best interest to spend the least amount of resources possible in persuing piracy. We support the piracy education program where companies raise awareness on the severity of software piracy and the damage it does to the economy. Therefore, our goal is only to teach you a lesson and not take legal action against you. To clear your name from prosecution, PorkChup Solutions offers a way for you to pay for your copy of eMail2Pop along with a minimal settlement fee.
The settlement fee is currently: $80 which includes a legal license to use eMail2Pop. Your name will also be removed from the database within six months.
How to Pay: Use the following link to pay: http://www.regsoft.net/purchase.php3?productid=50090&pc=7209W Please specify your VIOLATION ID: 5zx123166 in the box that says "Suggestions or Comments."
What if I refuse to pay?
The goal at PorkChup Solutions is to educate consumers about software piracy. The settlement fee is designed to teach consumers a valuable lesson and allow us to drop any legal charges against you. Remember that piracy is also a civil issue which can be handled by the government. If you refuse the settlement offer, we may prosecute you and/or send your information to the government for prosecution.
Here is an excerpt from the Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org):
If the copyright owner brings a civil action against you, the owner can seek to stop you from using its software immediately and can also request monetary damages. The copyright owner may then choose between actual damages, which includes the amount it has lost because of your infringement as well as any profits attributable to the infringement, and statutory damages, which can be as much as $150,000 for each program copied. In addition, the government can criminally prosecute you for copyright infringement. If convicted, you can be fined up to $250,000, or sentenced to jail for up to five years, or both.
This settlement offer is strictly a voluntary option given to you. In legal terms, you are not required or forced to take this offer. However, taking this offer will excuse you from any legal liability arising out of this violation, provided that there are no subsequent violations or other circumstances that would reopen this case.
The settlement offer expires after 48 hours or at the end of the next business day, whichever is later.
Here is a sample of recorded information:
Violation ID: 5zx123166
IP Hostname: ca-dstreet-cuda3-c4a-104.snbrca.adelphia.net
Time of Violation: 20040908204928
Hard Disk Space: 12002325299.2 bytes
Now there are a lot of online scams, so I'm worried if this is one of them or if its real. If I should pay the fee or attempt to fight it. What are your opinions on what I should do?
I'm still pretty shocked by the whole situation. I'm not working right now (attending college full time). I don't think I can afford a lawer, I can barely afford the $80 fee. I'd have to dip into my savings which isn't much at this point.
I'd love to hear any advice. Thanks,
- Chris
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