Three Singapore Students Arrested for Distributing 20,000 MP3 Tracks

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050818/tc_afp/singaporeinternet' target='_blank'>http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050818/tc_afp/singaporeinternet</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/handcuffs-small.jpg" /><br /><br />According to Yahoo News, three Singaporean students have been arrested for illegally distributing more than 20,000 MP3 tracks to fellow users on an IRC channel. The three youths were targeted as part of sting operation through a tip from the Record Industry Association Singapore (RIAS). One member of this "terabyte trio" (that's the nickname I'm giving these guys) is just 16 years old. Each could face jail and or fines of up to 100,000 Singapore dollars (60,606 US). And you thought the US-based RIAA was tough? :wink:

[Crocuta]

Isn't Singapore the place where that American kid was caned about 15 years ago for graffiti or something? Ouch! I can only imagine what they'll do to these guys. Beautiful place, BTW.

[Darius Wey]

Ten years ago, you could stroll around Singapore stores and see piracy left, right and centre. Now, they've take a tough stance - busting those who engage in the illegal acts, and I don't blame them.

Not sure if you've heard of it before, but a lot of locals refer to it as being "kiasu" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiasu). So if you thought the RIAA was harsh, there's always someone harsher. ;)

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

No, it's not being kiasu, it's being kiasi - scared to lose favour with the US. It's also called being pro-business; in not so nice terms, a capitalist whore. :P Singapore will do whatever it takes to keep investors and business in, even if it means screwing over her own citizens.

And as for that American brat, he deserved it. No complaints from me.