Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Digital Media Consumer Rights Act

Posted by Hemos on from the changing-the-dmca dept.

irabinovitch writes "Representatives Rick Boucher and John Doolittle introduced the DMCRA which would to quote the EFF would "require labelling requirements for usage-impaired "copy-protected" compact discs, as well as several amendments to 1998's infamous Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)." We always seem to complain about the DMCA around here now is our chance to change it! Check out this "Action Alert" at the EFF."

9 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. What can I do... by KDan · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm not american, I have no money (unemployed), but I want to support this because those laws seem to get exported along with the rest - is there any way I can support this, through sending some letters maybe?

    Daniel

    --
    Carpe Diem
    1. Re:What can I do... by videodriverguy · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I'd like to support this too, but where I am (China) I can buy unprotected music CDs for $2, VCDs (video CDs) for $3, all legally. I can, of course, also buy from legitimate outlets pirate DVDs for $3 (like Die Another Day, with the oscar stuff over it).

      There is a music/movie store here that sells real import DVDs and CDs, but at USA prices. Given that those prices exceed the monthly pay for most people here, they don't sell that many!

      And, yes, I too was unemployed in the USA before I came here. I'd like to be back there, but stuff like the DMCA makes me think twice.

  2. Re:More to do with by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    if you want to listen to a preview, listen to the radio That's the problem. >90% of music never gets on to the radio because radio is under the control of the music "industry". If your band isn't one of the few being promoted this month you cannot get on the radio.

  3. Good Start by kscd · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While signing the EFF letter is a great place to start, those of us with extra free time should take the time to craft our own thoughts on the issue and send those in as well. Many copies of a similar letter have a strong effect, but original letters show that you _really_ care and will probably remember around voting season.

    Past that, we should also, as the EFF states, tell our families and friends about the issue. Not many people care about this currently, because not many people know, and the information sources most people rely upon are more concerned with 5 minute wheather reports than reporting on people's rights being stripped away.

  4. List of Co-Sponsors of HR107 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's the list, according to Thomas. Note the Rep that withdrew last week, any Slashdotters from RI might want to try to find out why?

    Rep Andrews, Robert E. - 1/29/2003 [NJ-1]
    Rep Bachus, Spencer - 1/7/2003 [AL-6]
    Rep Barton, Joe - 1/29/2003 [TX-6]
    Rep Doolittle, John T. - 1/7/2003 [CA-4]
    Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. - 1/7/2003(withdrawn - 1/28/2003) [RI-1]

  5. It's easy to get them to care by ShatteredDream · · Score: 5, Interesting

    My parents used to think I was a lefty because of this issue. They couldn't be convinced of why it should be a right to make your own mp3s/oggs, etc. So I started barraging them with story after story of the media interests being unethical and eventually they understood why I feel the way I do. For my dad, a staunch conservative, the CBDTPA was the real catalyst because of its mandate on the entire computer industry. That's when he said enough is enough, the media cartels are socialist parasites.

    --
    Click here or a puppy gets stomped!
  6. Re:More to do with by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    we should vote with our wallets and not buy copy protected music CD's

    This is about more than just CD labels, it's about regulations on both production and fair use.

    I had a big discussion with some friends the first time this bill was introduced. My friend is a liberitarian who thought we should not be introducing new industry regulations (forced labeling) in music.

    I disagree with that argument for 2 reasons. Fist of all, crippled discs that are not labeled are basically illegal anyway since they are being falsely advertized as regular CDs. This may be a new regulation, but it is a reedundant and minor 1.

    Secondly, the main focus of the bill is on deregulation (and thus should appeal to liberitarians). The DMCA currently prohibits consumers from 'unencrypting' crippled CDs. It also prohibits production of hardware or software that breaks cpoyright encryption on these CDs. This bill will remove those regulations.

  7. Link to EFF by Heem · · Score: 5, Insightful


    Make sure to write your representatives. It's the only recourse we have left in this 'democracy' that has gone afoul - The only reason it has gone afoul is that WE (American Citizens, not slashdotters) have allowed it to but NOT writing our representatives. Their title 'REPRESENTative' should say it all. Their SOLE purpose is to represent YOUR opinion to the people that make the laws that govern how our lives are lived. If you don't write - LAWS WON'T CHANGE. The EFF has made this task incredibally easy - They've even written a nice letter and will auto-lookup your representative based on your address. Get your opinion out there. It's our only chance to change the laws of the land we live in.

    I'll give you the link again in case you missed it the first time.

    --
    Don't Tread on Me
  8. If you're not with us, you're against us. by sin(theta) · · Score: 5, Insightful

    By legislating standards by which fair-use impaired proudcts are created, aren't we then giving fair-use impaired products our blessing?

    --
    Music wants to be free.