i don't see what's the problem if i download yanky tv programs b4 they are shown here in the UK (like csi, smallville etc) i'm not going to buy them - who does? and they will be shown in the uk anyway..

and if they say the advertiser is losing out, i try not to watch ads, even if i do i try and avoid their products anyway

but downloading films or games/ programs that is naughty, but many, if not most are anyway..

torrents will get you in trouble , easily traced and you'll be done for distributing copyrighted programs.

while rapid share/news groups only the person who upped it could be done for distributing it.

and they try and workout how many people downloaded it from you and your fine will increase accordingly