Offtopic copyright stuff (Was; Re: [PLUG] Microsoft's smell of desperation | LinuxWorld (fwd))

Neil Anuskiewicz neil at pacifier.com
Thu Aug 1 08:33:58 UTC 2002


On Thu, 1 Aug 2002, Tyler F. Creelan wrote:

> If they play it right, the RIAA could actually use this as a stick and
> carrot to get people to buy more of their music. If they set up an online
> music service, for example, subscribers could be offered immunity from
> network attacks. Conversely, non-subscribers could be targeted with
> attacks since it's more probable they are infringing on copyright in
> one form or another.

I don't think that will happen. On the other hand, there are some really 
substantial threats to liberty on the Internet that are coming down the 
pike. It is breathtaking to think about the implications if all of it were 
to succeed.

There are some interests who seem to want to mold the Internet into a 
tightly controlled medium with much less freedom for the individual. Yeah, 
just what we need another television.

I have to say though that mass music sharing is not helpful. It is clear 
that they violate copyright laws in ways that are easy for lawmakers and 
others to understand. In terms of public policy, it can be used as a 
wedge, the camel's nose in the tent for all kinds of harmful legislation.

-- 
Neil Anuskiewicz









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