HOW TO BECOME AN INTERNET CRIMINAL...
For 10 years, I have had a website consisting solely of links to other foreign sites containing music albums, yet the judiciary has initiated a criminal proceeding against me for "the public distribution, for non-personal use and for profit, of computer material protected by copyright." The now-infamously known Urbani law prescribes up to 4 years in prison for this, the confiscation of my PC, a fine of up to 15,000 euros, and the publication, at my expense, in major Italian newspapers of the news that I am a criminal, a cancer for this so clean and just society.
Having surpassed the age of 50, I served for 25 years in the State Police, believing that criminals are those who kill youngsters with drugs and weapons, those who rape women, those who make money at the expense of others, but evidently it is no longer so. I cataloged music as a hobby, mainly old Italian music of which memory has almost been lost, and, without any personal gain, I brought it to the attention of older individuals for whom it represents a pleasant memory and of the younger ones who do not even know it, thinking I was helping artists to promote their work, but I had not counted on the power of those who make billions exploiting the artists themselves.
I do not believe this can be considered a crime, and until I see a judgment from a Judge that states otherwise, I will continue to maintain my website hobby. I do not accept intimidation from "Power" and I do not consider myself a criminal; if someone does not like that music is also available for free on the Internet, they should shut down the providers (if they are able) or, better yet, use Law Enforcement to hunt down the Dialers that fraudulently extort large sums from unsuspecting surfers to download mp3s. As far as I'm concerned, I do nothing more than indicate where specific material already present online can be found. The surfer knows that if they download it, they must delete it within 24 hours or buy the original, bla... bla... bla...
Now, what bothers me the most is being compared to a certain Silvio Berlusconi, accused of crimes far more serious than mine (also innocent until proven guilty), and to cases like these:
from www.ilcrotonese.it
"Reduced sentences also for three members of the Amato family who were charged with criminal association, extortion, theft, arson, and damage. [...] to Massimo Amato, 3 years and 2 months of imprisonment"
from www.repubblica.it
Convicted, for the third consecutive time. Responsible for the absurd death of Marta Russo, shot in the head that morning of May 9, 1987. But sentenced to reduced penalties compared to previous judgments. This is the outcome of the appellate trial-bis for the murder at La Sapienza, which saw Giovanni Scattone and Salvatore Ferraro on trial. Together with the third defendant in a "minor" role, Francesco Liparota.
Here are the sentences: 6 years for Scattone (negligent homicide); 4 years and 6 months for Ferraro; 2 years and 2 months for Liparota (aiding and abetting for both).
from www.corriere.it
With a request for four sentences ranging from 3 to 8 years, the prosecutor's closing statements concluded at the Milan court in the trial for the Linate plane crash that on October 8, 2001 caused the death of 118 people in the collision between two planes. [...] Three years and 10 months were requested for Paolo Zucchetti, air traffic controller of the Milan airport.
Certainly, I now find myself in a sea of troubles; the lawyers and the penalties I will have to face will cost me considerable amounts. You, who have been visiting my site forever, are a witness that I have never asked anyone for money to download an mp3 and you also know that I have done nothing wrong, but I am just one of the many victims of an unjust law, sadly still in force.
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