Anti-P2P Law Looms over the Horizon

Adrian Lopez writes "MIT's Technology Review has a piece by Eric Hellweg about pending legislation known as the Intellectual Property Protection Act. According to Hellweg, IPPA could make it illegal to skip past commercials and could 'criminalize the currently legal act of using the sharing capacity of iTunes, Apple's popular music software program.' More information on IPPA is available at the Public Knowledge website."

Comments

International?

[Anonymous Coward]

The internet is international, how will this be enforcable?

mcain is right

[OffTheLip]

We have been fast forwarding through commercials for years. This legislation is a joke. Consumers are not required to read the ads in magazines or newspapers. I really see no difference.

WOW

[jackb_guppy]

We are creating the old USSR, right here in America.

We have lost parts of the 2nd, 4th, and 5th amendment. Bush's 2000 win gutted any of 10th that was left.

The police can now search your home and "finincal" records with court oversite with informing you that it even happened and barring all from talking about it.

So why does anyone think that removing Fast Forward button would not be another freedom lost?

I remember reading somewhere...

[freedom_india]

...if Edison invents the lightbulb today; there would be atleast huge protests on 7 PM News by candle and gaslight makers union; atleast 3 lawmakers would speak against lightbulb and how it is dangerous due to its explosive nature; 10 states would pass laws banning usage of lightbulbs...

Re:lots of other victimless crimes to worry about.

[gartogg]

OK, so I think that the entire idea is ridiculous, and spoke out against it. BUT: bypassing the networks sponsors is not QUITE a victimless crime, as the networks are losing money by it. I mean, it's fine to point out that the revenue model is outdated and will no longer work, or say that the advertisements should be moved to placements in the shows, but calling it victimless and comparing it to smoking pot is, well...

I guess you could say it's typical of thinking on Slashdot. Never mind.

Re:lots of other victimless crimes to worry about.

[DAldredge]

Fast food and smoking also have very high health costs to 'society' so should they be made illegal too?

Re:lots of other victimless crimes to worry about.

[krymsin01]

Stupidity harms society. I'm not seeing anyone making that illegal.

P2P is a "national security crime"?!?

[AnalogDiehard]

"Intellectual property theft is a national security crime. It's appropriate that the fed dedicate resources to deter and prosecute IP theft."

Whoa thar. Time out. Game penalty. Chill.

The sharing of the Anarchist's Cookbook would be a national security issue. IP theft of weapons technology, air defense systems, domestic utility and transportation infrastructuce are national security issues.

But P2P of ENTERTAINMENT is a "national security crime"?!?

That's the most flawed stretch of reasoning I've ever seen. And I don't even engage in P2P.

And if this bill becomes law and my fast forward button is outlawed,

• then my DVD player goes in the trash and I will never buy another DVD again.

It's a sad day when laws are passed to perpetuate outdated business models.

Re:Lots of other [...] crimes to worry about.

[Hatta]

There's a local 25 year old teacher who will no longer teach because someone high on drugs crossed the centerline and hit her head on.

Driving impaired is wrong, whether it's due to drugs, fatigue, or talking on a cellphone. You're not suggesting we ban cell phones entirely just becuase they cause some accidents. Why should pot be any different? Keep in mind that a little benadryl impairs driving more than Cannabis.