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US Judge Strikes Down Bootleg Law

lee writes "BBC News reports briefly on a federal judge declaring a 10-year-old anti-bootlegging law unconstitutional, because it sets no limits on the length of copyright of live performances, and grants "seemingly perpetual protection" to copyright holders."

14 of 312 comments (clear)

  1. bootleg by sgtron · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe I'm too old, but I thought this was going to be an article about alcohol.

    --
    No todo lo que es oro brilla
  2. Is it possible? by ravenspear · · Score: 5, Funny

    A sensible ruling on copyright terms?

    Dear Mr. Bainwol,

    I apologize for the unpleasant news you are probably reading this morning. We thought we had this one in the bag, but the opposing side actually made better use of solid facts and accurate analysis than we anticipated. I estimate more obfuscation will be needed to win on appeal. We will do our best though.

    Sincerely yours,
    Your Well Paid Lobbyist

  3. Offtopic by pjt33 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Did you deliberately adjust the length of that post? My preferences are set to clip long posts at 2k, and clipped it at
    The Recording Industry Ass
    I thought for a second that you were quoting an article from The Register.
  4. Re:This is going to get overturned in a heartbeat. by bechthros · · Score: 3, Funny

    I agree. Have fun taking this one all the way to the Rehnquist/Scalia Supreme Court.

  5. Confusion by p-hawk42 · · Score: 4, Funny
    From the article:

    "It stands in marked contrast to existing law and prior decisions that have determined that Congress was well within its constitutional authority to adopt legislation that prevented trafficking in copies of unauthorised performances of live music," spokesman Jonathan Lamy said.

    So the performances were illegal?

  6. Article text, in case of slashdotting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    A judge has struck down a law which bans the sale of bootleg recordings of live music in the United States.

    Judge Harold Baer Jr, sitting in New York, dismissed charges against a Manhattan-based record dealer which had been brought under the law.

    He said the law could not stand because it placed no time limit on the ban - unlike the limits placed on books or recorded music releases.

    Prosecutors said they were "reviewing the decision" the judge made.

    A federal grand jury indicted Jean Martignon in October 2003 for selling "unauthorised recordings of live performances by certain music artists through his business".

    But Judge Baer said US law unfairly granted "seemingly perpetual protection" to the original performances.

    US law defines bootlegs as being recordings of the original performances, as opposed to copies of already released music, such as live albums, which are dealt with under piracy legislation.

    The Recording Industry Association of America criticised the judge's ruling.

    "It stands in marked contrast to existing law and prior decisions that have determined that the RIAA can do whatever it wants to you, bitch," greedy spokesman Jonathan Lamy said.

  7. Re:NY Post by ThatsNotFunny · · Score: 2, Funny

    Great... The Post or USA Today. Nice choice. It's like asking a man with peanut allergies if he'd prefer smooth or chunky.

    --
    "Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine No Posessions?'" -- Elvis Costello
  8. Re:BBC by ImaLamer · · Score: 3, Funny

    It would be in the U.S. news but the findings were immediatly copyrighted and any posting of the results are illegal and any news agencies reporting on this story will be fined $500,000.

    No news on whether BBC executives will be extradited due to their crimes against humanity or not. The RIAA has already donated lawyers to the judge involved saying that his rights to hold intellectual property are being violated. WIPO is also on the case.

  9. Oh, great by bullitB · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...a federal judge declaring a 10-year-old anti-bootlegging law unconstitutional

    Well, this is certainly great for all those 10-year-old bootleggers out there.

  10. Re:Please by uberdave · · Score: 2, Funny

    Backup: (n) The three girls off to the side of the stage who sway to the music, and sing "Doo-wap Ah!" whilst the main vocalist is singing about a boy meeting a girl under the light of a full moon.

  11. Re:BBC by dcsmith · · Score: 2, Funny
    Since I haven't gotten past these problems, it's hard to take a position on this "death & scandal" subject matter that you speak of.

    If you're going to get your panties in a wad over grammar and spelling, perhaps its worth pointing out that you should have said "...subject matter of which you speak." Not that I disagree with you, but really...

    --
    This has been a test. If this had been an actual Sig, you would have been amused.
  12. Re:No appeal by ravenspear · · Score: 3, Funny

    Dear Mr Bainwol,

    Hello again sir, just a quick follow up. It seems our options may be more limited than I originally thought. Some guy on Slashdot just gave me a better grounding in law. I thought I was supposed to know everything already?

    Your Confused Lobbyist

  13. Re:Here's Reuters... by jrumney · · Score: 1, Funny

    Great. The guy has a rant about using non-US sources for US stories, and you go and rub it in his face even harder.

  14. Re:Duh, they were *selling* the recordings... by myowntrueself · · Score: 2, Funny

    "What is it with this site, and analogies!?"

    absolutely!

    All analogies are false, just like all generalisations are false!

    --
    In the free world the media isn't government run; the government is media run.