Firstload

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Firstload is a commercial file-sharing platform which, among other things, provides access to the Usenet . Firstload is mainly used for data exchange (or download) of software, music and films.

founding

Firstload was founded by Verimount. The operators are Robert Fritzmann and his son Valentin Fritzmann. The current media owner is "USEPRO FZE". The object of the company is "offering IT services".

Offer and membership

The service offers access to over 60,000 newsgroups and thus also to a large selection of software. The system makes it possible to obtain the available data anonymously and uncensored.

A one-time registration is necessary to use the platform. Registration is free. It should be noted, however, that after the 14-day trial version, a paid subscription with a variable duration of up to 6 months each is taken out automatically. To avoid costs, the subscription must be canceled within the free trial period.

Firstload violates the legally required button solution . This regulation is intended to protect consumers from falling into a cost trap. Since it is not evident during registration that costs are automatically incurred after the test period has expired, this process conflicts with this regulation. The button used to complete the registration does not comply with the legal requirements either. The label "Sign-In" is not permitted after the button solution, as it is not pointed out that this "click" can result in costs.

Allegations of rip-off and fraud

The file sharing service has often been negatively mentioned in the press.

In 2005 there was a great outcry in Germany because Firstload did not adequately point out that the registration is only a test account, which is then automatically charged. There were also several cases in which timely terminations were simply ignored and the accounts of those concerned were still debited.

In 2008 it was warned that there were legal gray areas that Firstload was exploiting. On the file-sharing platform, copyrighted content is offered for free download, for which, however, no license fees are paid to the rights holders.

Despite the negative press reports, Firstload did not change anything about this subscription model. In 2011, Firstload again had a negative impact, as the Computerbetrug.de portal also warned against Firstload. As in the older press releases, it was pointed out again that a subscription trap is implemented on the platform, which is associated with high costs. It was also pointed out that Firstload should point out the follow-up costs at the latest when registering.

In 2014, the consumer advice center Schleswig-Holstein pointed out the problems with Firstload. It was pointed out that Firstload attracts its customers with promises of a free trial subscription, but payment details must be provided when registering. When registering, however, you do not receive any precise information about the subscription period, which begins immediately after the test period. The possibility of seeking help at the consumer advice center was also pointed out if one fell into the subscription trap.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Matthias Auer: Firstload.at: Just suck it down! diepresse.com, August 22, 2008; 2nd section 1st paragraph; accessed on June 1, 2015
  2. ↑ Gulli.com: the flagship portal of the Internet mafia . GoMo press release, July 20, 2009; 1st section 2nd paragraph; accessed on June 1, 2015
  3. ↑ Change of operator at Firstload . Anti-Ripnet, July 10, 2009; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  4. ↑ Firstload website (imprint) accessed on May 29, 2015
  5. ↑ Matthias Auer: Firstload.at: Just suck it down! diepresse.com, August 22, 2008; 1st section 1st paragraph; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  6. ↑ Matthias Auer: Firstload.at: Just suck it down! diepresse.com, August 22, 2008; 2nd section 2nd paragraph; accessed on June 1, 2015
  7. ↑ Gulli.com: the flagship portal of the Internet mafia . GoMo press release, July 20, 2009; 2nd section 2nd paragraph; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  8. ↑ Alex Leinhos: Firstload.de: The subscription mesh from the Alpine country . In: Netzwelt , August 16, 2005; 3rd section; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  9. ↑ Online provider firstload disregards button solution . ( Memento from July 4, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Consumer Advice Center Schleswig-Holstein, September 29, 2014, press archive; 1st paragraph; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  10. ↑ Online provider firstload disregards button solution . ( Memento from July 4, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Consumer Advice Center Schleswig-Holstein, September 29, 2014, press archive; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  11. ↑ Online provider firstload disregards button solution . ( Memento from July 4, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Consumer Advice Center Schleswig-Holstein, September 29, 2014, press archive; 4th paragraph; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  12. ↑ Alex Leinhos: Firstload.de: The subscription mesh from the Alpine country . In: Netzwelt , August 16, 2005; 1st section 2nd paragraph; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  13. ↑ Alex Leinhos: Firstload.de: The subscription mesh from the Alpine country . In: Netzwelt , August 16, 2005; 4th section; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  14. ↑ Matthias Auer: Firstload.at: Just suck it down! diepresse.com, August 22, 2008 ;; 4th section; accessed on June 1, 2015
  15. ↑ New subscription rip-off with software downloads . T-Online, October 19, 2011; Introduction; Retrieved June 3, 2015
  16. ↑ New subscription rip-off with software downloads . T-Online article, October 19, 2011; 1st paragraph; Retrieved June 3, 2015
  17. ↑ New subscription rip-off with software downloads . T-Online, October 19, 2011; 3rd paragraph; Retrieved June 3, 2015
  18. ↑ Online provider firstload disregards button solution . ( Memento from July 4, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Consumer Advice Center Schleswig-Holstein, September 29, 2014, press archive; 2nd paragraph; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  19. ↑ Online provider firstload disregards button solution . ( Memento from July 4, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Consumer Advice Center Schleswig-Holstein, September 29, 2014, press archive; 4th paragraph; Retrieved June 2, 2015
  20. ↑ Online provider firstload disregards button solution . ( Memento from July 4, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Consumer Advice Center Schleswig-Holstein, September 29, 2014, press archive; 5th paragraph; Retrieved June 2, 2015