Re: [dvd-discuss] Hacking requires search warrant -- ruling

["Glendon M. Gross" <gross(at)xinetd.com>]

I can't help feeling that this is like the death-throes of a 
soon-to-be-defunct organization.   The RIAA is so out of touch with what 
both the artists and the consuming public want that it will not surprise 
me if they are completely defunct within 10 years.  By criminalizing the 
sharing of music, they not only are suppressing the sales of recordings 
but they are angering their constituants.  Some people are not ever 
going to forgive the RIAA for their heavy handed tactics. Regrettably 
the emphasis on the law and lawyers tends to be detrimental to the 
creative process, in my opinion.

Maybe some smart lawyer will initiate a class-action suit against the 
RIAA for the damage they have done to the artists and composers.  I have 
read a lot of arguments on the basis of fair use, but what about the way 
the rights of composers to market their work have been trampled upon? 
The DMCA has set the whole industry back at least 10 years by 
interfering with the most natural human impulses on the part of music 
lovers.  By criminalizing the simple act of sharing, they have proven 
themselves to be betrayers of the very trust they have sworn to uphold.
I realize that my opinions may sound radical to some, but as a musician 
and composer I am furious about what the RIAA has done to the music 
business.

Tom wrote:
> On Fri, Nov 15, 2002 at 02:11:54PM -0800, Michael A Rolenz wrote:
> 
>>I liked the comment on "The hacker then played the role of a 
>>cybervigilante"...Rep. Berman's bill is of the same ilk. What the good 
>>Congressman doesn't seem to grasp is the notions on innocence until proven 
>>guilty IN A COURT OF LAW and as such, the media content providers are 
>>acting as cyybervigilantes and no act of congress can make it otherwise. 
>>Berman wants to subvert the judicial system.
> 
> 
> Still fooled by the smoke and mirrors?
> 
> Even the media mafia knows that they are treating on very thin ice
> there, and that even if they get a law passed in the US, they will get
> sued to hell and back in other countries if they actually go cracking
> machines.
> Not to mention that they're talking about what is a CRIME in most
> western jurisdictions. "conspiracy to commit a criminal offense"
> anyone? As soon as this leaves the FUD stage, RIAA is in the same
> league as MAFIA, and unless they are even more stupid than I believe
> them to be, they know it.
> 
>