Torrents and illegal downloads are against HubPages TOS.

1. 72

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   Torrents and illegal downloads are against HubPages TOS. This thread is closed.
   
   
   Step 1. open Hubpages TOS
   
   http://hubpages.com/help/user_agreement
   
   Step 2. press F3 or use find.
   
   Enter the word "torrent" , "torrents" "file sharing" or "public domain"
   
   No results?
   
   A link to a copyrighted material would be possibly "illegal download" ..but than again how many thousands of stolen indian actress photos are hosted here?
   
   A discussion about a file sharing protocol does not constitute illegal download either..obviously
   
   
   
   Is there another set of TOS we should be aware of as their have been some rather odd forum activities of late..new hires perhaps?
   
   So I request a public explanation
   http://hubpages.com/forum/post/853305 and reinstatement of said thread.
   
   i personally use torrent protocols to share my own video and media projects with other designers in our team and many other legal uses and as a result am protective of anyone perpetuating ignorance about a TOOL.
   
   Overzealous much?
   
   lol, i dont even care anymore

   replyreport
   1. 61

      tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Torrents is a free tool.
      As a free tool can be used for different purposes.
      I don't see why the thread was closed, as nobody was using Torrents on it.

      replyreport
      1. 87

         IzzyMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         The thread started with a discussion about downloading pirate films and music, because the first post talked about new movies not having seeds.
         Therefore the whole thread had to be closed because such illegal activity must be surely against TOS.

         replyreport
         1. 61

            tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            But nobody was downloading. They were comments only!
            Then they can close a thread, where one is posting about drugs, or crimes, or children abuse. It's only about opinions and comments. What's wrong with that ?

            replyreport
            1. 87

               IzzyMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I don't really know, I suppose they maybe think discussing such things might attract the wrong type of person to hubpages or something? Or maybe its because the forums get linked to our hubs where the google adsense is? who knows?

               replyreport
               1. 61

                  tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes ! who knows! but it doesn't make sense to me ! As someone said, what about the thread of 'A bald vulva'? If that's not cheap !!
                  
                  anyway !

                  replyreport
                  1. 87

                     IzzyMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     I didn't even read that thread. The title was enough! Was that not banned? If not, it should have been.

                     replyreport
                     1. 61

                        tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        I don't know. Msybe. I can't see it.
                        The point is, why can't we comment about torrents? It's not ilegal. It's a tool. If someone uses it for ilegal stuff, that's another story.
                        A lot of people find Torrents useful in many ways.

                        replyreport
         2. 87

            SimeyCposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Also it should be noted that Napster (the original) was a free tool - but it was deemed illegal by US courts and closed down - there were cases of Napster being used legally, but mostly it was not...the same can be said for Torrent - there are legitimate uses for it, but mostly it is used illegally.
            
            The thread in question was discussing the illegal uses of torrent, and listed other torrent sites....which I thought was against Hubpages TOS - had it been strictly....Torrent is cool I use it to share photos..then it probably would not have been closed...

            replyreport
   2. STAFF

      pauldeedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is the section of the TOS that applies.
      
      Publish Hubs or Hub or Author Content that include any content or links that are pornographic, defamatory, libelous, tortious, vulgar, obscene, invasive of privacy, racially or ethnically objectionable, hateful, promotes or provides instructional information about illegal activities, promotes any act of cruelty to animals, or is otherwise offensive.
      
      Simply discussing bit torrent the protocol is fine.   But providing instruction on how to use torrents to violate the law is not.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/37131#post842771
         
         Im sorry, but when I try to click this link it goes all blinky..
         did someone say how to use them here? I swear to god Im not trying to be difficult, its an honest question....
         
         and I still hav no clue what  a torrent is?

         replyreport
         1. 72

            relacheposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            What a torrent is...

            replyreport
            1. 72

               sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               that is so cool

               replyreport
         2. STAFF

            pauldeedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            In response to the first post, sunforged responded with a long list of links to bittorrent tracker sites, the implication being that if you wanted to avoid the "crackdown" and download new movies (most likely illegally), adding those trackers to your torrent client would help you find them.  That post was removed when the thread was closed.
            
            If you like, wikipedia is a good place to learn more about the legal gray area that torrent tracker sites operate in.

            replyreport
            1. 0

               Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               thanks. I realize this most likely sounds silly, but I really did try to find out by myself after that last thread got closed, as I did not know what they were, and honestly did not know they are illegal, and am just trying to make sure I dont get myself in to trouble. 
               
               and thanks again Huanty!!

               replyreport
   3. 0

      Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      this is funny
      I woke up today and wanted to start this thread....
      
      thanks

      replyreport
2. 62

   Phoenix 69posted 14 years ago

   You'd be surprised what goes on here if you stay long enough.
   We have people not able to express opinions on a lot of things.
   Sometimes it seems that HP will close threads and ban people just because it's the easier thing to do.
   They don't allow a lot of room for debate on things. I've watched silently for less than a year.  Believe me, some things that go on here are depressing.
   That's why guys like A Texan and wsp2469 are no longer here!
   Yeah, more specifically, I don't think it should be a problem talking about anything in the forums.  I am not sure any kind of discussion in itself is illegal but maybe some of the HP sponsors are sites where you have to PAY to download music and movies.

   replyreport
   1. 72

      relacheposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      for a guy who says he's no longer here, you sure are obvious about it Phoenix (aka wsp2469)

      replyreport
      1. 61

         Phoenix Forceposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Deleted
         1. 0

            Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            tell your buddy hi 
            can we fan you?

            replyreport
3. 72

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   eh, Its already water under the bridge for me, the act of typing released whatever minor annoyance I felt...but since I typed it all out and I felt so absolutely right..i hit submit anyway.
   
   Forums are a major productivity loss for me anyway..and I like WSP's writing just fine..but your buddy apparently wasnt catching on that our ultimate rulemakers are the advertisers that purchase from adwords (which includes me) who do not want to see their own paid ads sitting next to pictures that are not conducive to our (adwords buyers) traffic interests. There are publishing platforms for everyone, Im sure he can find a more appropriate fit and their are tons (maybe even more) ad networks that have no concerns about what types of pages they advertise on.
   
   but, i digress
   
   that really active "bald vulva" thread must seem rather ____________

   replyreport
   1. 62

      Phoenix 69posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know.  The last I heard about the wsp thing is that they banned his account because it was easier than checking changes that he had made to a hub.  He had made changes to a hub that was supposedly off the air for a month and had no flaggings since then but when he asked that they check those month old changes and republish the hub they told him in so many words it was easier to ban his entire account then check on changes that were a month old.
      It seems to me that if you purchase ad space you should have a say as to where it is placed.  That's how it works other places.  So when you buy ads here they tell YOU where they are going to put your ads?  WHY do you advertise here if they do that?
      You should still care about that.  You were making a valid point.  Nothing wrong with talking about that particular subject. talking about dling stuff for free is not illegal.  I totally support your right to talk about that.
      But, I digress!  I love that little tribute line!  Good one!

      replyreport
4. 58

   englightenedsoulposted 14 years ago

   Sunforged I am really shocked that they closed that thread.  I can't even find a silly reason for that.  Last week one of my thread was also closed within 15 minutes where I had asked for help with the keyword academy.  But my thread may be against the TOS, But i dont see the mentioned thread against TOS in anyways!!

   replyreport
   1. 72

      sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      well, i have a couple of hubs that suggest TKA and some other active members do also, i bet any of us would do our best to answer your questions within our hub comments.
      
      I doubt Hubs is specifically anti-TKA since Court was one of the last interviews at the payout chronicles

      replyreport
5. 58

   englightenedsoulposted 14 years ago

   I guess I have read one of your hub on TKA(off to read again) and also It is suggested by many experienced hubber.  I wanted to join but have a few problems signing up for the course.  I guess I would comment on your hub or else this forum will be closed to reply again because of my post.  Thanks sunforged. 
   
   And yes I was also shocked when they closed the thread because It was through hubpages I came to know about TKA.

   replyreport
6. 72

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   just for future readers...the adwords/adsense network is huge, you dont buy ads at hubpages..you buy ads in the content network (the ads that show up at sites like and including hubpages) you can pick and exclude where you advertise but most of us dont get that precise...so for the ease of all advertisers there are certain rules that partner sites must follow --essentially a PG environment is required...there are tons of folks on both ends (adwords/adsense) that slip through, but..thats irrelevant to the spirit of the rules that hubpages and other adsense motivated sites must uphold

   replyreport
   1. 62

      Phoenix 69posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I did not know that!  So you can choose specifics you just don't have to/want to?  That makes sense then.  Interesting!
      Yes, you are certainly right.  Tons of folks slip through for sure!  In fact, you think that in and of itself would cause LESS people to be actually totally banned because there are so many people warranting attention of some sort.  Maybe sometimes it's not exactly "objective" police actions, if you know what I mean.
      Thanks sun; you have given us some valuable information there!

      replyreport
7. 58

   englightenedsoulposted 14 years ago

   Sunforged I left you a comment on your hub...Eagerly waiting  to  hear from you!!

   replyreport
   1. 72

      sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      saw and responded in the hub

      replyreport
8. 70

   thisisoliposted 14 years ago

   But it is okay to provide instructional use on using torrents for non copyrighted materials.
   
   Would we get banned for talking about steam, or the new legit napster?
   
   Admittedly Torrents can be a bit of a minefield, and they are mainly used for illegal activities, but they also have a positive side.

   replyreport
9. 72

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   It hasnt been stated that you must not speak of torrents.
   
   The original moderator stated the term torrent and illegal downloads were not allowed, which implied a synonymous relationship.
   
   Which is my complaint...tool and use of tool, two different things
   
   site owner came along and pointed out that discussion of the tool , or protocol is not disallowed.
   
   not sure if the original thread was reopened though?
   
   @simey, the thread did not list other torrent sites (which wouldnt be theoretically disallowed anyway from what i have heard so far) it listed trackers .. the links lead nowhere without having the correct software that they relate to

   replyreport
10. 72

    Maddie Ruudposted 14 years ago

    I have edited Norah's response to omit the word "torrents," to avoid further confusion, but she was right to close the thread, as it was discussing illegal distribution of copyrighted material.  It does say in our TOS (and seems like common sense, besides) that we do not allow content promoting illegal activities.
    
    For the record, our TOS does also state that we retain our rights to remove any content, at any time, for any reason.  While we don't normally exercise this right, it is available to us should we need to unpublish content that puts us in legal jeopardy.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       its your site...
       like, in the US, most any place you get hired the paper work states, you can leave any time for any reason, AND you get fired any time for any reason, basically.
       
       thanks relache, going to look now.  I was considering limewire, but it is torrent related, so when I saw that they are illegal, I was just wondering why and what is it.
       
       see yall later!! have a good night.

       replyreport
11. 0

    Justine76posted 14 years ago

    well, I was hoping for soemthing in plian english..
    so far I found out how to freeze my screen, and how to sell a timeshare
    
    yay sarcastic google
    
    ill figure it out anyway

    replyreport
    1. 73

       Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Sweet dreams, Justine!
       
       I'll tell you what a torrent is and how it worx in an email tomorrow.

       replyreport
       1. 0

          Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          thanks you.  sleep well haunty, Im really not being difficult, im just a slow learner
          
          not everybody has always had a computer

          replyreport