File downloading, if not for profit, not illegal in Italy?

According to this report, the high court of Italy ruled that downloading files - be it software, music, or movies - is not illegal if profit is not the motivation. The case in question was a lawsuit against two students who set up a p2p file-sharing network, and who were initially sentenced to one year in prison. But the highest judicial institution in Italy overthrew the decision, and set the two students free.

This is an important decision, because RIAA’s brainwash is lately succeeding in pushing the notion that p2p file sharing is a criminal activity per se. It’s good to hear that judicial bodies in some countries understand that listening to a song on the radio, sharing a mix-tape with a friend, and sharing files on a p2p network - if not for financial gain - do not automatically make you a criminal.

Unfortunately, despite this small victory, this is still an uphill battle in Italy. SIAE (Italian Assocication of Authors - think of it as the Italian RIAA) issued a statement in which it pointed out that within current legislation, which entered into force after this case, file-sharing (even if not for profit) is illegal.

In any case, this might be a good time to remember my old list of all the countries in which P2P sharing can most definitely cost you money, and possibly even your freedom.