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P2P Bits

yohaas writes "Two Op-Ed stories today in the NY Times address music sharing. In one Kembrew McLeod says that the lawsuits aren't working and gives some alternate suggestions. In the other Harvard Law professor William Fisher says that the industry is going about the situation in the wrong way, concluding that 'the record industry's response to file sharing--trying to block the technology altogether--would generate the worst of all possible results'. Neither article is comprehensive, but they are good read nonetheless." Reader Brill Pappin points out that Canadians aren't afraid of the music industry. And reader The Importance of Being Earnest writes "The INDUCE Act, which would make it a crime to 'induce' copyright infringement, such as by inventing things like the Betamax, has finally been officially introduced. The bill has been renamed the Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act [PDF]. In addition to the name change, there has been another slight modication: 'counsel' is no longer part of the proposed statute. Here is a line-by-line refutation of Hatch's introduction [PDF] to the Act. EFF has shown how broad the Act is by writing a mock lawsuit [PDF] suing Apple (for making the iPod), C|Net (for reviewing the iPod), and Toshiba (for supplying hard drives for iPods). Previous Slashdot coverage here."

10 of 300 comments (clear)

  1. Warning - by calypso15 · · Score: 3, Funny

    If bill is passed, please INDUCE vomitting.

  2. Re:You US'ians sure have a twisted law system by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because we don't have enough money to get our government to listen to us. Don't worry about us, though, it's only a matter of time before enough people realize that guns are a hell of a lot cheaper than lobbying.

  3. That proves it.... by Kenja · · Score: 5, Funny

    File sharing is legal in Canada and its had no effect on the quality of music and art, just look at all the high quiality IP comming out of the land up north! I even hear that Shatner is back in the recording studio.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  4. List of those to sue so far by f0rtytw0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope this passes since it could be great at generating income for me or at least be a great investment. First off I can sue Dell since I have a computer from them and it was really easy to get and they gave me no warnings on how easy it was to use a computer to commit fraud. Then I can sue Microsoft for making an operating system that allows for easy copy right infringement. Their "copy" and "paste" methods have cost trillions and trillions of lost sales and IP revenue. Then I am going to sue my ISP for giving me internet access. Finally I am going to sue the government for inventing ARPA Net which evolved into the IP stealing networks we have today. There are pleanty of others on this list but I think this is a good start. All I need is a couple hundred million dollars to start the lawsuits but the return on this inventsment is quite substantial.

    --
    this is the most important sig ever! In your face 446154!
  5. Re:There goes ftp... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Does this mean that I have to remove the CTRL and C and V keys off my keyboard?

  6. If it passes, write this letter... by k4_pacific · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dear Senator Hatch,

    In order to comply with the Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004, I am turning in my now illegal devices which can be used to infringe copyrights to you so that they can be properly disposed of.

    Sincerely,

    [Your name]

    Now, round up a bunch of broken VCRs and old 486 PCs (think thrift stores), and send them, along with your letter to:

    Senator Orrin Hatch
    104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
    WASHINGTON DC 20510

    --
    Unknown host pong.
  7. List of Outlawed Technologies by Apocalypse111 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Assuming that this passes, here is a partial list of technologies that will shortly be outlawed, as they could be used to violate IP laws...

    Portable MP3 Players (iPod, Rio, etc)
    Tape Decks
    Record Players
    DVD Players
    Camcorders
    VCR's
    Computers
    Cell Phones
    Voice Mail
    Cameras
    Typewriters
    Pencils
    Pens
    Paint Brushes
    Chalk

    This list subject to change at will without notice.

    --
    There is no mod option "-1: Disagree" for a reason. "Overrated" is not an acceptable substitute. Post something instead.
  8. Which Constituants? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Exactly which of his constituants is Senator Hatch representing by introducing this bill? The Osmunds?

  9. Re:Not my area of expertise (legal or IP) by kfg · · Score: 3, Funny

    And Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a trademark of Count Louis Zabrowski. Man, this inducing to infringe upon IP gets deep.

    It's also obscene and promotes prostituion. A chit is military scrip and a bang is. . . well, I think you know. Yes, that's the actual derivation of the name of the car. It had a reputation for being, what is often called in the colloquial, a bit of a "crumpet collector."

    I wonder if our erswhile student of Brigham Young University and Senator from Utah knows he's saying "I've just been paid, now I'm going to get laid"?

    And the book is intended for children!

    Please, won't he think of the children?

    KFG

  10. Re:yay for legalized bribery! by cynic10508 · · Score: 3, Funny

    when do we start enforcing the constitution and putting a stop to legalized political bribery?

    As a representative of the World Ethical Association of Salient Entrepreneurial Lobbyists (WEASEL), I must say that your statements constitute libel. Our attorney, Leonard "J" Crabs will be in contact. For the legal proceedings may we suggest KY.