My post was actually off-topic and referring to the post saying that Open WiFi network are a viable defense against infringement charge in Germany. One court decided for it, and two weeks after another court took the opposite route.

For me, since I live in Germany, this is interesting news. As long as I bear responsibility for whatever happens on my network, I'll keep it secured and I suppose that others will do the same. I am not ready to face court charges and possibly more just because someone else downloaded copyrighted stuff on my network. And yes, I have a router running linux ready to be installed and yes I asked on its support forum for help on how to block or at least log this type of access and no I did not get any help. The idea there was that real linux advocates should not control what goes on their network.


In the end it is a very fundamental question. If the courts decide for network responsibility, on the grounds of protection against misuse (and they always come with the absurd examples of terrorism or pedophilia), it is the end of free networks. Forget about your city council giving you city coverage, forget about internet cafes, in the end forget about pervasive internet. Expect, as is already largely the case, private wifi chains with prices similar to cell phone contracts (like t-online does here).

If the court decide against personal responsibility, I have the location and equipment to offer free wifi to a relatively frequented tourist spot.