U.S. Penalizes Ukraine for Abetting 'Piracy'

The Politech mailing list has a note and follow-up on new trade restrictions levied against Ukraine, since they haven't complied with the U.S.'s demand for 'an optical media licensing regime.' John Gilmore's response puts the issue in perspective. Update: 01/03 23:08 GMT by M : The RIAA has a press release about the trade penalties and response to Gilmore.

Comments

Hmmm...

[Reality Master 101]

Skipping to the bottom, we see the phrase "...in short, we'll be living in a POLICE STATE."

In short, that's the sign that you can pretty much disregard anything he says. His tin foil is strapped too tightly to his head.

Why am I not suprised that Michael thinks this guy's ravings are "putting things in perspective"? Yeah, that's a nice, unbiased analysis of the pros and cons of balancing the rights of the music industry with fair use rights.

Not New At All

[karb]

The U.S. has a history of fighting _wars_ at the behest of large corporations (see the first part of the 20th century, minus WWI). So, to all of you decrying our now Nazified state, this Is Actually An Improvement.

However, we do need to do something rather than getting all worked up about it on /. and calling GWB names. Call/email/write your congressman. Not that it would work that much. But if everyone on /. did that instead of whining, it could probably make a dent.