[poofyhairguy]

Now again, it's highly unlikely you'll get sued for it (it's not worth suing for petty copyright violations), and it's not criminal (as you said, but civil law is still illegal). It's like speeding... if you're going 70 along with the crowd, you'll probably be fine, but you can still get a ticket for it.

It's a risk... usenet downloading is almost definitely safer than public bit torrent. Private bit torrent users have never been sued either (that I know of), but they have been regularly shut down. Probably because there's plenty of prey using the easy to find public sites.

Agreed 100%.

Its like a big clock pendulum, swinging back and forth. That is why the OP's statement offended me a little as now is the time when the pendulum is in our direction. Eventually it will swing the other way (three strikes law in France anyone?) and then this small loophole will be closed. Fight the DRM media fight then I say....