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I need some advice

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by zlitocook

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I am a contract worker in the I.T. field and am working for a company that has offices in 5 countrys. I was asking one of thier techs a question a noticed that he was watching the new movie Matrix reloaded on his computer. I told him I loved the first one and was going to see the second at the movies. He said dont go and copied the movie for me. And told me that every one here gets any movie or program free, just let any of the company techs know what I want and I will get copies of it! This isa great contract but If I say any thing the people here know me and it could cost me this and other contracts.

26 replies

by oldefar

You faced with a problem we all run into to. You know what is right, but its not an easy choice.

Somewhere along the way somebody passed on a poem to me. I have since lost my copy, and it really wasn't good poetry, but the message has stayed with me. There is one person whose opinion is most important. You can't lie to him, you can't fool him, you can't hide what your real motives are from him. He's the person looking back at you from the mirror every morning.

Do what you need to do to keep that face in the mirror having a good opinion of you. Good luck.

by thechas

I see from your profile, that you are based in the US.

In the US, the copyright law is pretty clear on this part of the issue anyhow.

If this is a foreign country, you owe it to yourself to check the local copyright laws and how they apply to the situation.

My concern for you, is now that you know what is going on, you can be considered an accessory after the fact.

Another way to look at this issue, if we ALL do what we can to stop illegitimate copies of content and software we justmight be able to end the use of intrusive copy protection schemes.

A 3rd aspect is, how much is the company these people work for paying for bandwidth used to download the media files and software?

Chas

by zlitocook

Take the movie and contacted the group that placed me there and was told in so many words dont rock the boat. Its a great money maker for them. I am looking for another company to hire into. I am just doing my job and hopefully I will be out with noproblem.

by mcs-1

May have been told to 'not rock the boat' ..... but you can still say No Thanks?? The only advice I can give anybody without preaching is - if you play with fire, don't be suprised when you get burned.

by thechas

From what I understand here, you work for an IT contracting house (placement firm) and have been placed at a firm that has some techs that flaunt the copyright laws.

You contacted your actual employer, and they do not want you to 'rock the boat' at the firm you are placed at.

If the above is correct, or at least close, then document your conversation with the placement firm. That is your defense should any legal action come.

The question in my mind, is management at the client aware of what is going on, and the potential costs?

If this is a legitimate business with intelligent managers, I suspect that the placement firm you work for stands to make a LOT more money by replacing the entire IT department at the client.

It is even possible that this is a goal they have and are working toward.

What is your 'read' of the management at both the client and the placement firms?
If both appear honest and up-right, it may be worth it to stick things out for a while. But, keepyour eyes and ears open as to what is going on.

Chas

by djent

you can decline illegal copies. You are not obligated to become an agent for the media companies even though they would like that.

by thechas

Thinking about this, I have a new idea for you that allows you to take the high road and look good in the eyes of the CIOs.

In addition to the bandwidth costs that the file sharing networks are costing your clients, there are a number of other factors that should convince the CIOs to shut down the activity.

Virus: Many files on the peer to peer networks are infected.

Security: To be part of the file sharing network, you MUST allow access to at least 1 folder on your PC. Allowing the peer to peer networks to access a corporate network leaves a gaping security hole.

Super Digital Millennium Copyright Acts: The movie industry is working on a state by state campaign to get SDMCA laws on the books. Part of these acts allow the movieindustry to access any computer network they suspect as having illegitimate copies of files on them without a search warrant.

Wait a reasonable period of time, and put together a proposal to the CIO (or your highest level contact) to reduce internet costs and improve network security.
Include details on the SDMCA laws for their state and recent virus and security attacks related to peer to peer networks.
Then, shut down the ports the p2p networks use.

Problem solved, and you look good to the CIOs.

Chas

by zlitocook

About some thing like that but I was invited to a company get together on friday afternoon. And guess what another new movie is to be shown after the meeting. With the CIO and his staff there. This happens once a month or so. I am giving two weeks today and will find a less stressful job in fast food or something:)

by thechas

I understand about the stress.

I don't think there is a more stressful situation than working for a company who's moral values are far below your own.

When I was laid off from a firm that had rotten moral values, my health improved significantly.

Best wishes for finding a meaningful position.

You are now faced with 1 more question, do you turn them in?
And to whom?

The firm I had worked for was in gross non-compliance on software licenses.
I did not turn them in to the BSA as they laid off a number of people and were working to gather the documentation needed to prove compliance.
(With the reduced work-force, they should have had enough licenses.)

I would consider waiting a reasonable length of time, and then send an anonymous letter to the RIAA and/or Motion Picture Association.
You could even have a friend mail it from a different state.

Chas

by ghstinshll

Ok, so I'm an Adam Sandler fan!

I've run that route before with a full T at my disposal once upon a time... Movies on your computer are cool, but they really do suck when watching them on the training room projector after hours... (-:{

Thankfull I got out fo the habit of downloading them, but still, they get old... Just turn them down and leave things alone, being able to keep your job. It's none of your business what the internal employees do and/or shoudl you be reporting them. They'll get burned on their own... Just keep doing your job and keep the b all rolling that way. Everything will be fine unless they are affecting your performance. If that is a factor, then it eneds to be brought up.

by john_wills

A couple of days ago I came out of the Muni to see a woman having difficulty getting in. I offered her a dollar, but the problem was with the unattended turnstile, not with the coins she had available. Someone else came up and offered her a transfer, which would have let her in, but illegally, as transfers are not transferable. No-one in authority would ever have known. But she refused, and walked towards the other end of the station, where the turnstiles were attended.

by maxwell edison

Everything I've read about this can be summarized as follows:

1. You've been threatened - "Don't rock the boat".

2. If you say anything, it could cost you the current - and future - contracts.

3. They said that it's a great money maker for them, so one can assume that, in addition to stealing movies for themselves, they are selling bootleg copies of movies.

4. You don't like it there at all.

5. You're looking for another job.

This almost sounds like an organized crime operation. They’re making money doing something illegal, and they’ve threatened you if you blow the whistle. Is this really a legitimate business you’re working with here? Are the company executives aware that this is going on?

I’d blow the whistle on the jerks, and if it cost me any money I’d sue the company for big $$$. If you are personally injured (loss of income) just because you report a crime, then they’re opening up a huge can of worms for themselves.

by cactus pete

Everyone seems to be assuming that zlito is not working in Encino for the MPA or MPAA or even for a specific studio...

Of course, if this person DOES work anywhere else, the flagrant foul this company is commiting NEEDS to be addressed.

I'm suggest you send your resume to the association along with the report.

by zlitocook

But the contract I have now is with a medical company. They have offices in China, Japan, Germany and other places. They deal in software and propritary hardware. Some interactive dvds with medical training stuff for upandcoming doctors and nurses. I may have a new job with a local phone company.

by maxwell edison

Answer the question on a broader and more general manner, and perhaps you’ll have your answer.

What is a consultant (or contract employee) to do if he/she is a witness to illegal activity?

by djent

It seems our responsibility is to inform our customers of risks they are not aware of and let them choose a course of action or ignor it. The media industry is quite capable of detection and enforcement without my help, they are not my customers.

by cactus pete

motion picture association, etc...

It was a tongue in cheek sort of comment... I hope you find a comfortable solution, and good luck with your potential new employer.

by zlitocook

I am contracted with has been told that I will be switching contracts. The brown stuff has hit the fan, I have been told the company wanted to hire me outright and they do not like the contractor going behind there backs. I now need to sign a waver of nondiscloser for the company if I (want to leave)! Um the headhunter is hinting I should stay with the company, and it would be good for both of us. I would start at $35.00 hrly and get full every thing. Yeah like jail or fines. I'm looking into trash collecting or Ebay seller:)

by maxwell edison

... that a person could make a pretty good income from becoming an ebay seller, if handled correctly.

Hum......(thinking....)

In all seriousness, I wouldn't suggest that someone work for a company if the values of that company and/or the others working for the company are in conflict with your own. You'll just be miserable working there. Moreover, I'm not sure a nondisclosure agreement would be valid if the non-disclosed information is a criminal activity. I'm no lawyer, but I would imagine that a contract that includes something illegal would be a non-binding or unenforceable contract.

It sounds to me like you need to do a bit of soul searching. Just do what's right (according to your own values), and let the chips fall where they may.

by cactus pete

You do NOT need to sign a waiver to leave a company.

I'm willing to bet you can make that kind of money elsewhere. I'd help you look.

by zlitocook

If any one would help me look! The headhunter group I had worked for has put me on the black list! I made one of the biggest contracts mad and they need to have me and them have a meeting to find out why I want to switch contracts! They say I helpedthem out of many problems and want to hire me outright but will not accept me being hired to another company? I need a jolt cola and a server room to think:

by oldefar

You don't need to preach, but you can simply state that you feel what they are doing is wrong and choose not to participate. Rather than create an uncomfortable situation for everyone, you feel it is better for you to move on.

by tim heard

It's refreshing to hear this discussion and the variety of responses that are basically saying, "Do the right thing."

I'm a technical recruiter by profession and an ordained minister by calling, and have had enough encounters with people who either weren't doing the right thing, or had been stung by others who weren't doing the right thing, that it has on occasion become depressing.

I hope that the whole situation works out for you. I'll be happy to offer whatever advice I can to you regarding your job search if you'd like to email me. I can't promise that I'll find you a job. - The market is such that most of my openings are niche positions these days. Still, feel free to email me if you'd like to.

Regards,

Tim Heard
theard@jcmalone.com
www.jcmalone.com/heard.htm

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