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Is CD Copy Protection Illegal?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the wouldn't-it-be-nice dept.

ribbiting writes "US Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va. is asking RIAA execs to explain how they can collect royalties on various blank media at the same time that the RIAA members are implementing copy protection mechanisms, with particular reference to the Audio Home Recording Act (AHRA) of 1992." Glad someone is asking the question.

7 of 573 comments (clear)

  1. Boucher Gets It (tm) by Tackhead · · Score: 5, Funny

    Y'know, I'm at the point where I'd move to VA just to be able to someday vote for him ;-)

    1. Re:Boucher Gets It (tm) by TedCheshireAcad · · Score: 5, Funny

      Of course the more entertaining question is, who would win in a fight, Boucher or Hollings?

      ..I miss the days of good old fashioned Senate floor ass whoopings, we haven't had a good one since before the Civil War.

      Oh well.

  2. Hmm... by fluxrad · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the article:

    The labels are worried that the rise of home CD-burners has eaten into album sales, particularly after the worst year in a decade for the music industry.

    These sales figures couldn't possibly shaped by the fact that the RIAA is releasing the shittiest music in a decade, could it?

    --
    "It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once." -David Hume
    1. Re:Hmm... by gnovos · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nah...

      Nor by the fact that this has been about the worst year in a decade for a lot of other industries, too.

      Or does RIAA think themselves exempt from a recession?

      Well, I don't know about you, but when I am facing the doors of my company closing in two weeks, with no savings, a $2000 a month rent, and a tough struggle to find a new job looming bigger and bigger every day, there is only one thing on my mind...

      Buying N'Sync's Greatest Hits at full retail price that may or may not play on my CD player!

      --
      "Your superior intellect is no match for our puny weapons!"
  3. The part that bugs me by Anonymous+DWord · · Score: 5, Funny

    is that the blank media tax (at least in Canada, and I think the States) goes exclusively to the music publishers. So everytime I download a new Slack version or whatever, I'm giving money to support N'Sync. That's the really criminal part. Why would you assume every blank CD is used to copy music that you didn't buy? If I'm making a backup copy of my legally purchased disc, why am I paying more money to give myself an extra?

    --
    "If he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and our allies, he's sorely mistaken." Bush on bin Laden
  4. Re:The record companies worst nightmare by StaticEngine · · Score: 5, Funny

    And disillusioned customers stop buying music, so the record companies have the worst year in a long time... Also this attracts the attention of the Senate... Now who wins?

    TARKIN: The National Senate will no longer be of any concern to us. I've just received word that Hillary Rosen has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.

    TAGGE: That's impossible! How will the RIAA maintain control without the bureaucracy?

    TARKIN: The Major Labels now have direct control over territories. Fear will keep the consumers in line. Fear of the DMCA and the New Police State.

  5. Boston CD Party? by AutumnLeaf · · Score: 5, Funny

    Perhaps we should "acquire" some 18-wheelers loaded up with blank audio CD-Rs, drive to Boston Harbor, and toss them in?