What should I do with this notice?

[Greg]

So I got an electronic notice (on my browser) from my internet provider saying I was violating their copyright infringement policy by downloading shows for free. I called my provider and all he said was to stop downloading these files, uninstall the sharing program and delete all the contents you have downloaded before. After our conversation, I went and uninstalled my file sharing program. Also I did a little research and found there was a program implemented (started this July from what I've read) by major providers that they're cracking down on copyright infringement. My question is:

Will my provider know if I deleted the contents I've downloaded in the past?

There are some shows I want to keep because I like to watch some shows over and over again. IMO, the only way they'll know that I still have the files saved on my computer is if they hack into my computer (which is an invasion of privacy). Don't get me wrong. I am definitely stopping the file sharing but I want to keep some shows.

Also, what's considered copyright infringement? File sharing is a no brainer. However, if I go on youtube or some other site where users can upload vids onto their site for viewers to look at, is that infringement also? Last thing I want is to have another notice on my screen stating I'm violating their infringement policy again.

Thanks

[bcnu]

The ISPs are currently involved in a program that identifies "torrents" being used for copyright infringement. They don't really care, they're not liable for anything you do and they don't own any of the rights you're violating. But the program is apparently somehow "rewarding" for ISPs that cooperate with the copyright owners.

Yes, viewing unauthorized videos or music on YT is also a copyright infringement, since you cannot possibly make a lawful copy of something that was illegally uploaded in the first place. It's hard to tell which videos are authorized and which are not, which is one reason YT is only required to disable distribution of violations when notified by the copyright owners.

As for what your "provider knows", they really don't care, as I mentioned. The copyright owners would probably already have all the evidence they need to file a federal lawsuit, if not also federal criminal complaints, and they would seize your computer and any storage media you own, to use as evidence.

Ask the Minnesota housewife sued for "sharing" 24 copyrighted songs. One P2P recipient logged her IP address and forwarded the illegal copies to the record companies. She went to trial (three times) and was found liable, even though she had actually swapped out her hard drive after having been warned that she had been caught. Jury didn't care. One jury found her liable for $80,000 per song. Judge "adjusted" the verdict.
Capitol (Records) v. Thomas. Eventually cost her $222,000 in damages, not including legal fees, which were apparently donated by someone.