By all appearances, hacker group Anonymous isn't too happy with the Department of Justice's move to take down file sharing site Megaupload today, because it's now claiming that it's knocked the DOJ's site off the internet — and for what it's worth, we're not able to load it. Likewise for Universal Music, one of the labels most directly opposed to Megaupload's existence, along with the RIAA's and MPAA's websites. Anonymous is apparently saying that there's "more to come," so it would seem that organizations that are in very public support of Megaupload's demise are going to be best served to have their IT departments on high alert this afternoon.
Anonymous claims DOJ and record label site takedowns in response to Megaupload suit

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Let the war begin.. popcorn by the side
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:21 PM EST reply Recommend (38) Flag actions
Indeed, it will be interesting to see how this unfolds
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:23 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
Megapuolad won’t be back anytime soon, on the other hand,
I guess all theses sites will be back online soon (as soon as the ddos will end or be stopped).
Doing so, anonymous is just barking at the moon …
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:05 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
I’m glad to the see the US government kicking ass. Fuck anonymous.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 7:06 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
If you don’t care about the internet, you might as well stop using it. Anonymous is wrong in many of their actions; but government intervention in internet is just plain wrong.
Then, go back to your redneck farm and start idolizing our shit government again. Really, the only thing left in our government that is worth a damn, is our military.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 11:57 PM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
but the government invented the internet maaaannnn….
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 12:18 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb. I wouldn’t have the right to turn off the lights at your home if he wanted to. Internet, as far as I know, don’t belong to anyone..
(was it sarcasm?)
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 2:37 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:28 PM EST reply Recommend (66) Flag actions
Whoops. Wrong Picture
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:29 PM EST reply Recommend (57) Flag actions
The kid’s look just says it all
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:31 PM EST reply Recommend (12) Flag actions
Darth: “I am your father!”
Kid: “I know. That’s why this is embarassing…”
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:58 PM EST reply Recommend (30) Flag actions
How does he get the popcorn through the mask? Last time I tried that at the movies it was a total mess.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:06 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Are those your images? I’m not sure you’re allowed to share those here. ARREST THE VERGE.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:14 PM EST reply Recommend (33) Flag actions
Seriously though, that’s where we are at.
I post a pictures of copyrighted material on a forum and the DOJ now claims to have to power to shut down The Verge.
DO YOU SEE WHERE WE ARE???
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 3:48 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
YEP…..ON THE VERGE!!
sorry had to say it
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 5:38 PM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
My Lord, the Emperor has requested you lay off snacks. He believes it will help your “physique” and he needs every cent to rebuild the Death Star. Kuati slaves do not come cheap, as he pointed out.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 9:14 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Lord Vader, what happened to the comment that had that Will Smith motion gif in it? I like that comment…
And that look on that kids face says it all.
Posted on Jan 21, 2012 | 7:24 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
War? When they don’t back down against angry Mexicans, then we’ll talk.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:30 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Why is it that I imagine a bunch of people screaming “PLAGUUU” when those sites go offline?
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 9:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
This does make you want to buy popcorn….way to go Anonymous!
Posted on Jan 21, 2012 | 1:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Justice is served.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:21 PM EST reply Recommend (18) Flag actions
inb4 nerd rage KEK BUR
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Y OU L O S E
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:40 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
They don’t have the authority to enact justice.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:58 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Sadly, I’ll have to side with this guy. Only the Department of Justice can serve “justice”… unless you take over the government, which only then you become “justice”.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:43 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Yes they do. The DOJ doesn’t have the authority to do what they did.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 7:14 PM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions
Doesn’t make a difference. If they didn’t, then Anonymous is no better than the DOJ.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 7:47 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
That’s like saying a man punches an abusive father to stop him from beating his child is no better than the abusive father.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 3:03 AM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
in that case, the man has the authority to protect his child. Anonymous has no such responsibilities.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 11:52 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
ARGH misread your post. The man should call the police, not punch the father.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 11:52 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
That’s like saying justice is served when a guy kills your wife and you get to slap him once.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 7:57 PM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions
Who needs SOPA?
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:23 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
What are you talking about? Just so you know, SOPA isn’t required to take down .com sites. The US government can already seize US domains. SOPA applies to non-US domains.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:56 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Pretty sure that is his point.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:13 PM EST reply Recommend (15) Flag actions
WOW
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:23 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
This makes it clear SOPA isn’t needed. DOJ has enough tools available to fight the “war”.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:24 PM EST reply Recommend (19) Flag actions
They always had enough tools, however they wanted to make it easier and indefensible which is what SOPA aims to do.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 7:46 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Wow, neither site will load! That is some swift action on their part, this will be a really interesting story to follow.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:25 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Wow, I didn’t know Anon was so well organized. I heard there were approx 27000 anons on this DDOS. Where do they gather? Really fast indeed. I didn’t like their (PSN and stuff) last year’s actions, but this one is exception. Well done!
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 8:14 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
called computers with backdoor virus. so any affected computer connects to a botnet. so these ddos attacks can literally be coming from all around the world with not way to trace them all to one person
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 11:21 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
This is the guy Anon is fighting for
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 12:39 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Looks like a cool guy to hang out with.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 8:40 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
The Internet Army joins the fight.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:25 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
And accomplishes nothing.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 7:01 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
Except taking down government and business websites, costing the owners time and money.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 7:17 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
Despite the fact its only really a nuisance, the fact Anonymous can organise something this quickly is quite incredible and quite worrying. Although in this case, I say go for it. MegaUpload was a good site used for much. much more than piracy.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:25 PM EST reply Recommend (19) Flag actions
Then they should have stuck to the non-pirated stuff.
RIP MegaUpload. Next up, Google.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:42 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Try bringing Google down and see what happens to the economy. Technology goes forward not backward.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 8:34 PM EST reply Recommend (9) Flag actions
The economy’s already fucked, may as well give Google a shot.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 12:14 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
They took down pirated content all the time – they (as far as I know) tried to operate according to US copyright laws. They just can’t keep up when millions of people can upload to the site.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 8:42 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
A lot of time was apparently spent getting rid of child porn uploads so they got really behind on deleting links to mainstream stuff. Anyway, the spurious claim to lost revenue by the MAFIAA is grossly exaggerated. There’s no way folk would have paid their extortionate prices for most of that crap they’ve produced that has been viewed for free on MEGA. It was petty cash to them. They wanted to take Kim down for getting too rich and too much of a player for them to handle.. So now they have robbed him and are going to cage him like an animal for a copyright breach!?! . Why don’t the feds take down drug cartels, human traffickers, mobsters, and real criminals? Answer, because bigger criminals than those pay the feds wages. The police are no longer there to protect and serve the public, they are there to do the bidding of their paymasters, whatever evil that might entail. The 1% with the money writes the law. Soon we might not be able to talk to each other freely like this anymore as in some other countries like China. Wish I wasn’t writing such sad words.
Posted on Jan 21, 2012 | 2:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
This is pretty interesting, I can’t wait to see how this turns out
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:25 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
That didn’t take long…
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
They were down in under 30 minutes after it was announced that the DoJ did this.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:26 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
This calls for a StoryStream!
Interesting stuff right here!
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:27 PM EST reply Recommend (23) Flag actions
Let the cyber war games begin…yes this is considered Cyberwarfare.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:30 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Not sure about for the rest of you but DOJ loaded for me just now after a couple minutes.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:30 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
<a href="http://" >
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
How you like them takedowns now DOJ/RIAA/MPAA??!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:31 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Anonymous sure are good at tearing down posters.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:31 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
Cannot Load DOJ site either.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:31 PM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions
I agree.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 9:02 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I never really supported the childish actions of anonymous but this is an exception.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:32 PM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions
How is this justified?
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 4:29 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
RIAA is down.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:33 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb8hQImKiUc&feature=player_embedded#!
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:34 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Oh man, taking down websites. You sure showed them!
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:39 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
That’s a fair point in this instance, but it definitely sends a message because it was done so quickly. I don’t think anyone would’ve expected retaliation to be so immediate. I imagine the MPAA/RIAA members are crapping themselves at the prospect of what could be done to their actual revenue streams.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 4:22 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Spoiler: They’re not. In reality they’re probably excited that this just allows them to potentially sue and arrest more people.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 8:43 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Fuck. Yes.
STOP THE JACK-BOOTED THUGS!
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:42 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I don’t like the RIAA or MPAA at all, but I really didn’t like MegaUpload either. I’m glad they’re gone. I write and software for a living, barely making it by, and they absolutely refused to remove my software from their site. I know I lost money because of them.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:43 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
what? you can report for copyright infrigment and they’ll take stuff down, just like youtube…
maybe you didnt secure your software rights first?
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:04 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
Did you get your software copyrighted? If not then there is next to nothing what you can do about it.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 9:03 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Software, like other creation, is automatically copyrighted when created.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 12:38 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Yep. Half the problem with all this SOPA stuff is people are completely uneducated about copyright and IP law.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 4:36 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Half the problem with copyright law is that it’s so convoluted it becomes somewhat difficult to understand.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 8:44 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Hehe… made me think of this: http://youtu.be/WnS_5tR-K9U
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:45 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
But why is the DOJ taking down megaupload? Don’t they know that Google and Wikipedia are the real problem? (sarcasm)
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:49 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Actually, I think the internet is probably at the root of it all. So there you go.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:59 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Man this is getting entertaining. Never really took Anonymous seriously, but they do provide for good theater.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 5:53 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Not a fan of Anon, but props for having such a quick reaction. Too bad they just flagged themselves for an arrest in a few months…
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:04 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Sh*t just got real.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:17 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
It kind of amazes me that Anonymous can just knock a site offline if they want to. That’s pretty amazing yet insane.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:19 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
http://xkcd.com/932/
It’s actually not amazing at all. Good SQL injection can go a long way.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 4:22 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
They are our freedom fighters. Very brave people. Go Anonymous!
Posted on Jan 21, 2012 | 2:21 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The revolution will not be televised, it’ll be blogged
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Dammit, I was just going to visit the DOJ’s websites too,
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:39 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Alright, I’m waiting for the decentralized DNS system. Bring it TPB.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 6:59 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m not saying anything bad about anonymous… ever…
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 7:20 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
The FBI’s site is down too now, but the MPAA is up.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 7:55 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The timing of this ham-fisted raid is beyond ridiculous, and only proves that not only is Congress is a MAFIAA whore, but so is the Department of ‘Justice’. The Rule of Law has been gutted like a fish by the corporate help. What does one do when the Cops are of lower morals than the Crooks?
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 8:16 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
MegaUpload was always sketchy as hell, and Kim Dotcom and his staff knew they were selling subscriptions to pirated content. Normally I would be against this sort of thing, but if you actually read the indictment and chat logs, it’s pretty clear cut.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 9:01 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Hope this teached the feds a lesson.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 9:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I hope Anonymous shits all over the government. All day, everyday. Keep the attacks coming. I love it.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 9:14 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
So the law gets applied as it should and Anon throws a fit?
It’s patently obvious based on the evidence that MegaUpload was complicit in aiding and abetting piracy, and piracy needs to be stopped when it can. Not through insane ideas like SOPA but occasionally with other actions.
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 9:18 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
notsureifserious.jpg
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 | 11:26 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
If you have pirated content on a server somewhere, where millions of people access it every day, you’re breaking the law. Simple.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 4:25 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
When you have a site where thousands and thousands of files are uploaded on a daily basis how can you possibly keep track of it all? By your logic YouTube should be taken down just as quickly as MegaUpload… Both megaupload and youtube take down pirated copy once they receive notices to take it down.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 8:48 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
What are your thoughts on this?
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/oouwm/can_someone_explain_why_the_megaupload_takedown/
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 3:16 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
What?
You have no idea what you’re talking about.
Too bad that your simple ass logic you have doesn’t apply, because of the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act (a “safe habor” to the DMCA).
The OCIILLA states that online service providers are not held accountable for the actions of their users if there’s copyright infringements. Obviously, you would ban the offending users/take down the file. You’re assuming MegaUpload is being a safe haven for pirates which is completely false.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 2:18 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I stand corrected, you are right. And there’s no need for insults.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 3:15 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
<3
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 6:12 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Mega Upload was totally dodgy and hurt creators. How is a revenge attack justified?
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 12:24 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
for me its about icefilms. megaupload had the tv shows that i failed to record, my dvr failed to record, or wasnt able to record due to lack of tuners. i pay the cable company for the right to record those shows byt spending 20 bucks a month on a dvr. i dont particularly see a problem with me watching local/cable television when i pay for the cable and the right to record.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 4:37 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I understand the sentiment, but that’s not a valid argument. Just because you don’t see a problem with it, doesn’t mean it’s legal. You have to remember, you don’’t make or enforce the law, you are subject to it. When you’re in charge of the rules, get back to us.
Posted on Jan 21, 2012 | 12:02 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Simple question: have you ever made a mix tape? Or recorded a song off the radio? I’d bet you have, or have family who has — because almost everyone on the planet has at some point. Filesharing is exactly the same as doing that. If you did that, you are as much a “criminal” as the people you are accusing of criminal activity.
Remember the “home taping is killing music” slogan that was seen everywhere in the 70’s and 80’s? Guess what, music wasn’t killed. They’re all still driving Ferrari’s. And the same is now for the “filesharing is killing music”. It is not killing it — not at all.
If the RIAA had its way, even selling second hand CD’s would be illegal. Even giving someone a CD would be illegal. It’s all just naked greed, to cover up a failed business model.
Posted on Jan 21, 2012 | 2:36 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
btw megaupload IS STILL AVAILABLE just use the IP instead of domain name.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 3:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
well from where I’m at, http://www.justice.gov/ is till available.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 9:04 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
These comments are about as entertaining as this whole DOJ vs. Piracy stuff.
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 9:48 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m sure it’s a coincidence but it feels very V for Vendetta’ish. Internet protests internet censorship so the upset government reacts with a heavy hand! Then the internet fires another shot and if the movie teaches us anything it is all going to escalate into a huge building blowing up in a reign of fireworks. i love some fireworks!
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 | 12:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Anyone know what happened to the comment that had the Will Smith Motion Gif attached to it?
Posted on Jan 21, 2012 | 7:21 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
If this story was a film I’d illegally download it.
Posted on Jan 24, 2012 | 3:17 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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