http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=32709

Child Pornography Distribution Via Peer-to-Peer Networks

 

 

Distribution is typically thought of as the active passing of child pornography from one hand to another. However, the government argues that knowingly allowing access to one's child pornography content, through what is known as a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, constitutes both distribution and delivery of the content. This more passive means of distribution has been accepted by courts in the past, and as a result the investigation of P2P networks has become one of the most common avenues taken by law enforcement agencies.

it is important to understand the difference, especially between possession and distribution, where the lines can become murky. A charge of child pornography distribution carries a much more severe penalty than one of child pornography possession.

 

it's a difficult area.

the real crime is allowing a child to come to harm. the images document such a crime and may exacerbate behaviour that could be harmful to children. passive distribution  in my view should not be seen as worse than possession since both come hand in hand with the use of p2p distribution mechanisms.  possession should not necessarily be met with penalty as mere possession is not harmful to children. possession should, like drugs, be met with an imperative to undergo therapy and analysis to determine both the cause of the behaviour and to identify a solution that is safe to society.

 

active distribution should be met with stricter penalty.  it is akin to drug pushers. it is knowingly causing potential harm and dangerous situations for children.

 

production of said material should be the primary focus and perpetrators of such acts should be dealt with in the harshest possible way. these people are causing actual harm and even documenting the act. it causes lasting damage and severe repercussions and should be treated as secondary only to murder.

actually when a person is murdered, they are not made to suffer a prolonged period. these acts should be treated as worse than murder.

I don't have much to contribute to this topic...only that I think child pornography is sick and twisted.