RIAA and DMCA madness

[WhiteTara]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Spyware/index.php?p=814
The RIAA has struck again, this time suing a family that has no computer and no internet connection. The federal lawsuit was filed in Rome, Georgia against a family in Rockmart, GA. The RIAA charges that the Walls family infringed on copyrighted recordings by file sharing on the internet. When told of the lawsuit, James Walls said he was unaware of the lawsuit since he had not been served yet – he asked, "How can they sue us if we don't even have a computer?"

Indeed. You can read the report here at KNAC.com, via Techdirt. The Techdirt article says the family did own a computer for about 2 months but it was over a year ago. Carma Walls admits to downloading a some songs. Apparently the RIAA lawsuit alleges the Walls continue to use file sharing applications, but how they manage to do that without a computer is beyond me. I'm no fan of file sharing, never used it, but I detest the RIAA's heavy handed tactics. I'm hoping the RIAA will be their own undoing someday.

In other news, the Inquirer and CNET are reporting that a proposed law would make just *knowing how* to bypass copy protection illegal. The proposed legislation is endorsed by the RIAA, among others. I guess that should come as no surprise. Declan McCullagh's write up at CNET has a good breakdown of the proposed legislation. Excerpt:

The 24-page bill is a far-reaching medley of different proposals cobbled together. One would, for instance, create a new federal crime of just trying to commit copyright infringement. Such willful attempts at piracy, even if they fail, could be punished by up to 10 years in prison.

:shrug:

[mduffy31]

1. Thought crimes?

Just "knowing how" to do something will be illegal. How about turning a CD into a cassette tape, now that would be bypassing copy protection so does that mean I have done something wrong just knowing that?

[B3Nut]

4. Whoever came up with that "law"

is certifiably insane. If these asshats had their way I wouldn't even be able to record MY OWN music on MY ProTools setup! Did Senselessbraindead come up with this tripe? DAMMIT this makes me mad!

:mad:

Todd in Beerbratistan

[mduffy31]

5. I like that

I am from Superior and I like Beerbratistan.

[DrGonzoLives]

7. STAY WHERE YOU ARE

THE THOUGHT POLICE ARE ON THE WAY. DO NOT RESIST.

[Selatius]

2. The recording industry needs control over music to make money.

The recording industry would not exist if they could not control music for their personal profit. Their existence is predicated upon control. Laws that legitimize their control over music and laws that legitimize private ownership of valuable resources in general is the foundation of capitalism. Capitalism cannot exist without private control over resources.

[Solon]

3. The RIAA, MPAA, and our laws(DMCA) are fucking NUTS...

And they want to make this shit stricter? You already get penalized LESS for shoplifting than you would for the "theft" of intellectual "property" as these assholes call it. This is serious advise folks, you get caught, first time, at shoplifting, you may get a misdermeaner charge with a suspended sentence, for, let's say a couple of CDs and a DVD. Plus a grand or two in penalties to pay, to the court, maybe. Now, you get caught sharing a movie or song without permission, a copyright infringement, then the RIAA or MPAA owns you, you lose the house, car, or, if you are a kid, all means of earning a living for the next 10 years, in addition to possible jail time.

That's now, give them an additional inche, like this 10 years in prison bullshit, and it would actually be less of a risk to rob a CD or Movie store than it would to share this stuff online. Seriously, as long as no one is hurt, you get what, for a first offense, 2-5 years in jail for robbing one of these places? Somebody answer that, because I know even more severe crimes than robbery are punished for less years.

[Coventina]

6. The RIAA is a dinosaur lashing out in its death throes.

Die already!!

We're tired of you!!