I am sure this has been asked before but I was wondering if it is legal to have a warez forum or a warez related type site... Meaning there would be no actual files on the site. Is this legal or illegal. What are the risks? Can my host kill my server?
It is still illegal. If the authorities wanted access to your server, they can get it. As long as the forum is not widely popular (100k+ members), you will most likely be safe.
It would certainly be in a very grey area. Basically, a warez forum or related site would typically do one thing and one thing only and that is pretty much just to provide a conduit for people access to illegal files. It may not be entirely illegal but you should not do it if you have any conscience. Software Privacy is hurting the software industry and in the past, it almost makes me want to quit the software development business as I spent a huge number of expenses and time in getting my programs out and found it being listed on a warez forum the very next week. Basically, don't do anything to encourage illegal activities, there are other good opportunities out there which you can consider.
It also depends on where you live. In the US, for example, the DMCA makes it illegal to traffic in copyright circumvention. I don't know of any case that has gone to court yet, but it seems to me that a forum dedicated to warez does nothing BUT traffic in circumvention techniques and technology. Also, if users provide links to pirated material the forum owner could be found guilty of copyright infringement in several countries. It is definately a grey area with a dark future. I wouldn't bother.
You don't think it's illegal? Try telling that to all the torrent sites that have been shut down, or to Grokster. They didn't host files and yet were found to be illegal.
Hmm thats interesting thanks for the input guys the site I wanted to start was not actually a warez forum but warez related site... It would have links to download warez etc. Just curious I probably wont do it though
And who told you its legal? It Isn't! It just isn't a punishable offence...since you're in the clear BUT it would definitely cause you some trouble having to make trips to the court They can definitely file a case against you for promoting illegal downloads. JUST BEWARE!!
Well, I know there are many warez sites that are in fact hosted in the US. The only way it is really illegal in my opinion is that you host the files. Otherwise for example Google would be gone by now. Check out how many links they have going to warez files. It's more about the files you are hosting on the site or how you're promoting it. Either way though, don't run a warez site. There are other ways of earning money of the net than trying to run something in high risk. I definitely agree with everyone who posted above about running a warez site. Way too risky.