Ukrainian authorities on Wednesday shut down popular file sharing website Ex.ua over copyright violations. The move comes just two weeks after US authorities put an end to the world’s most popular file sharing service Megaupload.com.

Speaking about the seizure Volodymyr Polishchuk, a spokesman for the countries Interior Ministry said the site was closed after various companies including Adobe and Microsoft filed complaints.

Also listing Ex.ua as one of the most popular piracy websites was the Recording Industry Association of America  (RIAA).

In the seizure more than 200 servers were taken away and 16 employees for the company face questioning for their part in multiple acts of piracy.

At this time officials have not said whether or not all of the company’s employees will be charged.

After the shutdown hackers railing against the government by disabling the Interior Ministry website and various other sites associated with the Ukrainian president.

Do you think recent actions taken against the likes of Megaupload and now Ex.ua means the end of file sharing websites as we have known them for more than a decade? Or will smart programmers figure out a way to send pirated files by other means?

Ukraine Officials Shut Down File Sharing Website Over Copyright Violations is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Ukraine Government has banned pornography…except where the porn is prescribed for medical purposes.

Under the law, possession of any pornography (not just hardcore porn) is a criminal offense attracting a fine of roughly $110, or up to 3 years in prison. The production of porn was already illegal in the country.

According to The Register, the problem with the law (like most censorship efforts) comes down to defining what counts as porn. The definition (as translated) reads “”Pornography is vulgar, candid, cynical, obscene depiction of sexual acts, pursuing no other goal, the explicit demonstration of genitals, unethical elements of the sexual act, sexual perversions, realistic sketches that do not meet moral criteria and offend honor and dignity of the human by inciting low instincts.”

Ukraine bans porn…except for medical purposes is a post from: The Inquisitr

In June, the Ukrainian parliament made possession of porn- like, any and all- illegal without a prescription.

I know what you’re thinking. What in the hell condition would require a prescription for porn? I think I have it. What is the dosage? Does my insurance cover it? Is there a co-pay…

But seriously, someone should contact Amnesty International. According to The Register, possession of all porn is punishable by a fine of about £69 (heh heh heh) or three years in jail. That’s not even just the really freaky-freaky stuff. Any porn can land you in the big house under new laws. As quoted in the piece, it comes down to the eternal “definition of porn” problem:

“Pornography is vulgar, candid, cynical, obscene depiction of sexual acts, pursuing no other goal, the explicit demonstration of genitals, unethical elements of the sexual act, sexual perversions, realistic sketches that do not meet moral criteria and offend honour and dignity of the human by inciting low instincts.”

So why the sudden legislation? The linked article suggests that it may be an attempt to get in good with us puritanical Westerners, citing a 2004 push in UK parliament:

Back in the UK, in May 2004, Labour MP David Lepper boasted in parliament of how he and a number of fellow MP’s, concerned by the Graham Coutts case, had put forward a five-point plan to Ministers for controlling extreme porn. The five points were:

• Persuading internet service providers, search engine companies and web hosting companies to block access to extreme porn
• Criminalising the possession of extreme porn
• Better international co-operation in dealing with extreme images on the internet
• A souped up role for Ofcom
• Requiring credit card companies to put a financial squeeze on the providers of extreme images

This plan was received favourably by then Home Secretary, David Blunkett, who raised it in discussion with his counterparts in the United States. The same issues were then raised with countries in the G8 and Europe.

Whatever the reasons are that prompted the new law-, hello, no porn! Why is there not more global outcry over this?

In Ukraine: No Porn without Rx is a post from: The Inquisitr

Ever wondered what a Ukranian folk band would sound like if they covered Katy Perry’s Hot and Cold? No, you probably haven’t, but some things are meant to be shared.

We’re not sure about the background to this video. It appears as though the band might be in some sort of television singing competition. What ever the context, there’s lots of win.

Win: Ukranian folk band covers Katy Perry’s Hot and Cold is a post from: The Inquisitr