Slashdot Mirror


Norway Considers New Copyright Laws

bizpile writes "The Norwegian government is considering a change to copyright laws that would make it illegal to rip a CD to MP3s when copy protection is in place on the CD. However, you would still be allowed to copy from one CD to another regardless of copy protection. Gisle Hannemyr, of the University of Oslo's Department of Informatics, responded by saying "We are going to be a nation of lawbreakers if this law is passed in its current form." The new proposal would allow fines and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for violating copyrights and engaging in computer piracy."

200 of 294 comments (clear)

  1. You know what they say by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If mp3s are outlawed, only outlaws will have mp3s.

    From reading Slashdot, I thought Europe was a utopia with perfect and just laws.

    1. Re:You know what they say by WickedClean · · Score: 4, Funny

      You'll get my MP3s when you delete them out of my cold hard drive.

      --
      ...All I can say is that my life is pretty strange...
    2. Re:You know what they say by irokitt · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Unfortunately, politicians abound, and aren't limited to the United States.

      --
      If my answers frighten you, stop asking scary questions.
    3. Re:You know what they say by iabervon · · Score: 4, Funny

      If Europe were a utopia with perfect and just laws (according to Slashdot), software patents would be uniformly and clearly prohibited. In fact, Europe is a terrible place (according to Slashdot), except for Poland, which is valiantly fighting back against the forces of evil. No, wait. This week, Europe is a terrible place, except for the Netherlands, which is fighting back.

      Be sure to tune in next week, when Europe is a terrible place, except for Denmark, which is fighting back.

    4. Re:You know what they say by Dasch · · Score: 1

      Nah, we have our own miniature version of the RIAA here in Denmark, raiding LAN parties and confiscating 13-year-old kids' PCs...

    5. Re:You know what they say by tomjen · · Score: 1

      Denmark will not fight back - the current goverment was reelected and they support software patents.

      Denmark will not do anything without the support of US. (i am danish)

      --
      Freedom or George Bush
    6. Re:You know what they say by rmstar · · Score: 1
      If Europe were a utopia with perfect and just laws[...]

      Just in case: Norway is not part of the european union.

    7. Re:You know what they say by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      I understand that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ... but I wish the rest of the world would stop flattering the United States so much when it comes to intellectual property stuff. Frankly, it's embarrassing, and I wish you would stop it.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    8. Re:You know what they say by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      Well ... if it's small enough you should simply take it out and shoot it. It would make a good example.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    9. Re:You know what they say by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      Well, it appears that Norway is acting like it so far as intellectual property is concerned. That's too bad.

      Does anyone know why, if the people of Norway are called "Norwegians", the country isn't called "Norwegia"? Just curious.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    10. Re:You know what they say by Grishnakh · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Why is it that many countries are this way? Can't they think for themselves? Just because we're big doesn't mean we're right.

    11. Re:You know what they say by Svenne · · Score: 1

      From reading Slashdot, I thought Europe was a utopia with perfect and just laws.

      Norway isn't a member of the European Union. Hence, the articles about copyright and patent law that's been published for in the last couple of months does not apply to Norway.

      --

      Slagborr
    12. Re:You know what they say by nilenico · · Score: 1
      Well, the country is actually called "Norge", and its citizens "nordmenn".

      Why are people from Denmark called Danish?

      --
      .sig? No.
    13. Re:You know what they say by iabervon · · Score: 1

      According to this site, Denmark was responsible for taking software patents off of the A-list for the 17th, somewhat unexpectedly. Not entirely clear what their motivation is, since there are a number of issues now, from software patents to the balance of power between the EU Parliament and Council to the procedures involved. But I expect a Slashdot story on Thursday praising Denmark for this move.

    14. Re:You know what they say by tomjen · · Score: 1

      That is correct - but only because we where having an election, since the goverment was reelected dont expect a change in policy.

      --
      Freedom or George Bush
  2. CD to CD to MP3 by donnyspi · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Sooo... copy from protected to unprotected CD... then rip to MP3 :-)

    1. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by InvalidError · · Score: 1

      This exception most likely implies that whatever copy protection is on the original will not be stripped during the regular full-CD copy process... like a watermark.

      At least they limit prison terms to three years unlike the USA where sky may be the limit where grumpy judges are involved. Copying is only a hypothetical revenue loss and appears to be more harshly punishable than homicide under many circumstances in the USA. (and probably elsewhere too)

    2. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by shigelojoe · · Score: 3, Informative

      Actually, the article says that you can't transfer music from CDs to MP3 *players*. So, not only can you still rip the CD to MP3 and play it on your computer, you could also rip the CD to AAC or Ogg Vorbis and put on a "portable music player" which isn't limited to only MP3. Technicalities, yes, but not violating the word of the law -- assuming, of course, that the author of the article correctly characterized the content of the legislation, which almost never happens, regardless of the country.

    3. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by AltaMannen · · Score: 2, Informative

      The law would require any backup to be made to the same medium, so a CD can only be copied to a CD and not be transfered to a harddrive or flash ram. In the CD to MP3 example they seem to imply that normal music CDs are copy protected, and that converting CD tracks to MP3s require some sort of code-breaking ("cracking") to occur.

      Does anyone know if the law targets all CDs as seem implied or only CDs that have some form of DRM?

    4. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by Orgazmus · · Score: 1

      Any digital charge that has a bigger punishment than rape is a signal to the lawmakers that something are really fucked up.
      But you wouldnt expect anything else from a country led by a raving, preaching maniac. He actually is a priest :\
      I think i could be placed in the group "manically anti-patriotic"

      --
      The system had the verbosity of HTML combined with all the readability of compiled assembly viewed as bitmap images
    5. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by roemcke · · Score: 1

      What if I rip it to Ogg/Vorbis? Or when I copy it from CD to CD via the HD, am I then allowed to listen to it from the HD before I transfer it to the new CD? What if wait to long before transfering it to the CD, is it then a CD to HD copy? What if I create a data-CD with mp3s?

    6. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by pete6677 · · Score: 1

      I don't know of any US laws that have no limitations on punishment. Even the new DMCA copyright laws have a 3 year maximum sentence or something like that. Granted the laws are draconian, but judges don't have quite the unlimited authority that your post implies.

    7. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 1

      Well if the law is literal, you can do something _VERY_ simple:

      1) Rip the CD to WAV.
      2) Make your own CD with WAV data.
      3) Delete WAV data.
      4) Rip the "own CD with WAV data" to MP3.

      5) copyright laws 0wn3d ;-)

    8. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by DunbarTheInept · · Score: 1

      So, are people with only one CD drive screwed out of being allowed to burn CD's? From the sound of it, you are only allowed to do direct cd-to-cd transfers. Holding an ISO image on disk while you exchange the source CD for the target CD would be illegal.

      --

      Don't label something "offtopic" unless you know the topic well enough to tell what's on topic.

    9. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by robertjw · · Score: 1

      Interesting. Sounds like they are trying to outlaw one kind of technology and specifically pu that languqage into the law. They can't just say you can't transfer music to another medium for play in a different player - that would violate the ability to actually copy to another CD. OTOH, what If I copy the CD to another CD and then play the copy in a CD player that will play music CDs and CDs with mp3s on them. Is that illegal? If it's not, what If I convert the music to MP3s, write them to a CD and play them in the same player.

      Sounds like some lawyers will have a good time at the government's expense over this one.

    10. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by InvalidError · · Score: 1

      Usually, DMCA is only one of many laws conjured in a copyright/DRM/etc. and the combined "recommendation" often exceeds 10 years... which usually gets reduced to five or less by the time verdict is due.

      I wonder how many of the copyright-related laws would survive a thorough enforceability test - most countries' constitution provide a clause to void laws too troublesome (mass disobedience) to enforce... the catch is it must be clearly observable.

      What would a judge do...
      - Judge: "I sentence you to five years."
      - Defendent: "Your honor, does your daughter actually own a licensed copy of all 4317 MP3s found on her 20GB iPod? How much are you going to sentence her?"

      If everybody declared themselves as pirates and insisted on doing jail time at the same time, the legal/jail system would crumble under presure and the DMCA/copyright/etc. laws sent back to the drawing board for a rewrite aimed at avoiding this, probably by narrowing applicability, much against the industry's wishes.

      Governments by the rich people for the rich people, thank god for the wonders of democracy.

    11. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by nilenico · · Score: 1
      >Any digital charge that has a bigger punishment >than rape is a signal to the lawmakers that >something are really fucked up.

      The proposed (stupid!) bill also indicates fines, which presumably will be the common form of punishment.
      Jail sentences would only be used in very extreme cases.

      The police have already said that there's no way they're going to be able to enforce this law...

      And yes, our PM is in fact an ordained priest. At least he keeps his religous views private when he's doing his job!

      --
      .sig? No.
    12. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by nilenico · · Score: 1
      Also, they have in fact used the word "CD-discs" in the wording of the law.

      A disc is in fact not a CD-disc, when it has the copy protection stuff on it (as mentioned by Mr. Hannemyr).

      heh. if this law gets passed in the current format, i'm seriously considering taking my laptop, my mp3 player and a new CD down to the police station, and do rip-and-transfer of the CD over to the mp3 player right there....

      Stupid law. stupid politicians.

      --
      .sig? No.
    13. Re:CD to CD to MP3 by hawk · · Score: 1

      Even consecutive life sentences can be issued. However, capital punishment may only be applied once. :)

      hawk

  3. What is the point? by seneces · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It may stop a few people from ripping music, but most will do it anyway. It won't stop piracy. They should spend the time they would be enforcing pointless laws like that thinking up better ways to fix real problems (drugs, etc), not trying to stop people from putting music on their mp3 players or computers.

    1. Re:What is the point? by l3v1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yup, and just a quick one: how would MP3 player manufacturers and resellers feel about such a move ? I hope they would feel reaaaly bad and make something about it.

      --
      I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I can think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
    2. Re:What is the point? by MrDomino · · Score: 1

      Drugs are a "real problem"?

    3. Re:What is the point? by Orgazmus · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Even some of the drug rehab centres understand that most of the problems lies in bad laws, not bad drugs. When you take one illegal drug, and turn out fine, why not try another one?

      --
      The system had the verbosity of HTML combined with all the readability of compiled assembly viewed as bitmap images
    4. Re:What is the point? by seneces · · Score: 1

      More than ripping music is. Someone getting high/drunk, and driving, and crashing into someone else is more harmful than converting your cd so it can be stored on your computer.

    5. Re:What is the point? by gstoddart · · Score: 3, Interesting
      It may stop a few people from ripping music, but most will do it anyway. It won't stop piracy.


      Well, IANN (not Norwegian) but will it even stop ripping?

      If I rip files and I never participate in file sharing, how the hell would they know? I rip my music for use on my own machines or on my MP3 player.

      Would they outlaw the simple posession of MP3s under the argument that someone must have ripped it so you're guilty? What about albums that have been re-released so the version you had didn't have DRM, but the newer version does? Will that become a legal gray area for this?

      It just seems really odd to outlaw the act of ripping unless they can substantially prove that it was for an infringing use.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    6. Re:What is the point? by ultranova · · Score: 2

      If I rip files and I never participate in file sharing, how the hell would they know? I rip my music for use on my own machines or on my MP3 player.

      Well, if you have an MP3 player, then you most likely have MP3's as well, so there's a reasonable suspicion that you're breaking the law, so your house can be raided.

      Also, a network of snitches worked well for the former communist block. Have everyone spy on their neighbours for any suspicious activity. Have libraries report people who borrow a lot of CD's, especially if they are returned soon. Have record shops report suspicious-looking buyers; have them demand an ID from any buyers so the government can keep track who owns what; then, if the neighbours hear some music which you don't own, send in a S.W.A.T squad (or the Norwegian equivalent).

      Would they outlaw the simple posession of MP3s under the argument that someone must have ripped it so you're guilty?

      Propably; growing certain plants (cannabis, at least) is outlawed, because of the assumption that you'd smoke the leaves to get high, so I'd imagine that possession of MP3s could also be made illegal.

      What about albums that have been re-released so the version you had didn't have DRM, but the newer version does?

      Do you have the older version? If not, sucks to be you ;(. And even if you did, a suitably evil lawyer could argue that you can't prove that you ripped them from that older version and not the new one...

      Will that become a legal gray area for this?

      Doesn't matter. It just means that they have to prolong the case until you go banckrupt, instead of having to actually win it.

      Or, in other words: "This is a court! It has nothing to do with legality!" (In the same vein as "This is a wedding, it has nothing to do with love!" from spaceballs).

      It just seems really odd to outlaw the act of ripping unless they can substantially prove that it was for an infringing use.

      Yeah, but if ripping wasn't outlawed, the recording studios might lose an unspecified amount of money. That would be terrible for the economy, because the money would simply disappear to thin air, never to be seen again, so it clearly cannot be allowed; after all, the entertainment industry is the most important industry, absolutely vital for the survival of the human race, so obviously all other concerns must be put aside to help it to flourish.

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

    7. Re:What is the point? by iminplaya · · Score: 1

      It's not about piracy! The intention of laws like these is to turn everybody into lawbreakers, and make them subject to arrest and all the other fun and expensive things that happen as a result. This is helping to lead us into a worldwide prison society that will be needed to provide cheap labor as more people demand a desent(sp) living wage. So save all your(editorial yous. I only replied to you because you asked the question) moral huffing and puffing out there, and take a good look at what's really happening. These laws aren't pointless at all. They have a very important purpose.

      --
      What?
    8. Re:What is the point? by Entropy_ah · · Score: 1

      It may stop a few people from doing drugs, but most will do it anyway. It won't stop drug abuse. They should spend the time they would be enforcing pointless laws like that thinking up better ways to fix real problems (murder, etc), not trying to stop people from getting high.

      --
      my other penis is a vagina
    9. Re:What is the point? by DavidTC · · Score: 1

      Hey, you're not allowed to quote Ayn Rand in a discussion about copyright. The Objectivists think that making a copy of someone's CD is initiating force against them, and thus should be illegal.

      --
      If corporations are people, aren't stockholders guilty of slavery?
    10. Re:What is the point? by QCompson · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Then they should spend time trying to stop people from driving while drunk or driving under the influence of drugs (if you're talking about marijuana, however, that's debatable... they've done studies showing that people actually drive fairly safely while high). Passing laws trying to stop people from ingesting drugs in the privacy of their own home is as silly as passing laws trying to stop people from rippings mp3s in the privacy of their own home.

  4. ogg by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    that would make it illegal to rip a CD to MP3s

    So ripping CD to ogg is OK? :)

    1. Re:ogg by glenrm · · Score: 1

      In a way yes, if only 10% of your customers were ripping and sharing music it wouldn't be as big a problem, but 80% or 90%. Also what is the deal with ripping being mixed in with "sharing", how in the world can ripping be illegal, I am the only one using the music, so what if I want to play it on my PC instead of through my home theater? This is the kind of freedom erosion that could be fought against if it was target specifically.

    2. Re:ogg by nkh · · Score: 1

      I hope it's not the first step towards: if you want to listen to music on your PC, you'll have to buy ANOTHER copy before (or a "intellectual-property transfer license" ;)

      Well, of course we know we're doomed and stuff but you just have not to buy copy-protected CDs to begin with. No need to bypass anything.

    3. Re:ogg by mark-t · · Score: 1

      But if ogg is allowed after making it illegal to rip to mp3, everyone will just eventually migrate to ogg, and then the whole mess will start all over again.

    4. Re:ogg by Thomas+Henden · · Score: 1, Interesting

      No, actually the law says that ripping the stream for playing on devices that are "irrelevant" for the CD-format, is illegal.

      So ripping, or copying to a CD for playing on a CD-player that cannot read the copy protected original CD is allowed, but not ripping/copying for playing on an Ipod or any other type of device (non-CD player) that plays an other (compressed) format.

      Yes, 99% of us norwegians (probably) stalls on this use of the term "irrelevant" in the law.

      And what about those players which plays 8cm CDs , which can play *.wav OR *.mp3 - are they in some kind of borderland here, noone really knows!

      If I had to bet, I'd say they were illegal, as it seems the law ONLY make an exception so you can override faulty copyright protection when it prevents playing of the CD on a regular CD player.

  5. DRM by oliverthered · · Score: 1

    So, the law is going to be .

    I a company places protection on a work that prevents it from ever being released into the public domain (non-key escro DRM) then you are not allowed to copy it fullstop.

    Do they realise what they are doing or saying or are they in the pockets of the media

    --
    thank God the internet isn't a human right.
    1. Re:DRM by oliverthered · · Score: 1

      In reply to myself.
      This breaks European laws, where are expressly allowed to reverse engineer for the purpose of interoperability.

      fuck'em don't even bother them with your thoughts, when the first case comes to trial and doesn't get thrown out, rent a nice big truck, fill it full of agrigate and drive it straight through the house of the Judge or your local politician.

      Power to the people.

      --
      thank God the internet isn't a human right.
    2. Re:DRM by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      He's from Barcelona!

    3. Re:DRM by MrDomino · · Score: 1

      Look at it this way: I, a company, places protection on a work that prevents it from ever being released into the public domain. You are not allowed to copy it, so you, being mindful of the law, don't. It then never appears on any of the major file-sharing networks, and the work never spreads.

      Meanwhile, you, another company, release your work on CD without any copy protection. It enters into the public domain as people copy the music and share it online, it spreads, and a good portion of the people who listen to it like it enough to buy it.

      I like this law, personally; it will discourage copy protection, as in the long run those who embrace it fade into obscurity while those who publicly release their work gain widespread fan bases.

    4. Re:DRM by oliverthered · · Score: 1

      Look at it this way:
      Ok,
      I, a company,
      A company is never I but I'll pretend that companies are real..

      places protection on a work that prevents it from ever being released into the public domain.
      Which is against the law.

      You are not allowed to copy it, so you, being mindful of the law
      Which is that I am allowed to copy it and that it will be released into the public domain.

      don't. It then never appears on any of the major file-sharing networks, and the work never spreads.
      There are lots of things it doesn't do, why pick on 'major file-sharing networks' my blind grandmother can't 'read' her Ebook either.

      Meanwhile, you, another company, release your work on CD without any copy protection.
      Yes
      It enters into the public domain as people copy the music and share it online
      No more that me tapping my foot to the music I'm listening to at work.

      it spreads, and a good portion of the people who listen to it like it enough to buy it
      Which just goes to show you can sell works that are in the public domain.

      I like this law, personally; it will discourage copy protection, as in the long run those who embrace it fade into obscurity while those who publicly release their work gain widespread fan bases.

      While I see your point, after a while 'most' people will try to become the dictators themselfs and embrase the new law. (hey there getting that benifit, but I'm not, not fair).

      There will still be some movement of the more liberal kind like Linux but things like SCO and Patants will try to make that impossible only leaving the dictators left.

      Your argument is I like patents, I think that is good America has patents because soon they will be behind the rest of the world... well unless Europe passes strong patent laws and India and China join the boat, in which case were all fucked.

      --
      thank God the internet isn't a human right.
  6. What if you have an iPod in Norway? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You buy your iPod. -- Legal

    You buy a CD -- Legal

    You want to listen to "Your" music you bought on the iPod you bought and now you are breaking the law?

    Crikey, this is getting ridiculous...

    Sheeesh, at least all of the WMV files I have don't have copy.....
    Oh wait...

    1. Re:What if you have an iPod in Norway? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You buy a car that can go 100mph -- Legal.
      You buy a kit to make the car go 200mph -- Legal.
      You drive the car at 200mph and you're breaking the law?

      You buy a dull sword -- Legal.
      You buy a sword sharpener -- Legal.
      You sharpen the sword to the point where its a concealed weapon and you're breaking the law?

      You buy a VCR -- Legal.
      You buy a blank videotape -- Legal.
      You use said VCR and videotape to record a movie you rented from Blockbuster and you're breaking the law?

      You see, your logic doesn't hold. Of course you can combine things that are perfectly legal to buy and use them illegally. That's not ridiculous at all.

    2. Re:What if you have an iPod in Norway? by MrDomino · · Score: 1

      Well, it won't be "your" music; if there's copy protection on it, then clearly, the company distributing it doesn't want to give up ownership of it to the public domain.

      On the other hand, you can decide to boycott music that you can't copy, and buy only music released by studios that don't place copy protection on their CDs. In the long run, the collective action of millions of consumers behaving this way--rather than indiscriminately ripping and spreading all of their music--will cause copy protection to fade into history, as it should be. As I see it, this law is a wonderful thing for free music.

    3. Re:What if you have an iPod in Norway? by LourensV · · Score: 1

      What if you buy a DVD in the USA or the EU? I've got a DVD, which I bought in the DVD shop. I also have a DVD drive in my computer, which I bought in the computer shop. I have a DVD player and an operating system which are distributed under the GPL, and thus I could legally make a copy for myself.

      Now I take my own DVD, put it in my own DVD drive, and run my own copy of the DVD player software on my own copy of the OS, and I break the DMCA/EUCD...

    4. Re:What if you have an iPod in Norway? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting


      You drive the car at 200mph and you're breaking the law?


      legal on your own property.


      You sharpen the sword to the point where its a concealed weapon and you're breaking the law?


      legal on you own property. except for peasants in a fuedal society.


      You use said VCR and videotape to record a movie you rented from Blockbuster and you're breaking the law?


      SHOULD be legal on your own property. Thats our point.
      Even granting you ridiculous leeway in the use of analogies, your arguments suck.

    5. Re:What if you have an iPod in Norway? by HeghmoH · · Score: 1

      I don't think it was meant the way you're taking it. It's not "I combine legal thing A and legal thing B and get illegal thing C, that doesn't make sense." The argument is actually, "It will be illegal for me to play my legally purchased music on my legally purchased iPod, that is ridiculous."

      --
      Mod down posts with a "Free Mac Mini/iPod" sig, they're spam!
    6. Re:What if you have an iPod in Norway? by Mazem · · Score: 1

      Or, more to the point:

      You buy your computer. -- Legal

      You buy your CD -- Legal

      You want to listen to "Your" music you bought on the computer you bought and now you are breaking the law.

      I have all my cd's burned to .mp3/.ogg on my computer and route my speakers, headphones, etc from my soundcard so that I can use my computer as a glorified jukebox. Good thing I don't live in Norway.

    7. Re:What if you have an iPod in Norway? by danila · · Score: 1

      Wrong examples. All your situations are when you combine innocent actions to get a dangerous and illegal result.

      The example with iPod is when you combine several innocent actions to get an innocent and legal result, but it's illegal because of a technicality.

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
  7. Dangerous criminals by Asgorath · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Good it's about time they put these dangerous criminals behind bars! Obviously these people are the real problem in society, not those who commit crimes such as robbery, murder, assault, rape, etc. Really? By changing the storage format of something you can be send to jail? I knew the world had gone mad, but it's always nice to see a bit of conformation every now and then.

    1. Re:Dangerous criminals by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Imagine how dangerous is situation when nearly everybody (or substantial part of the siciety) breaks some law. Not that everybody goes to the jail (physicaly imposible), but everybody can be blackmailed.

      Some day some guys from some inteligence agency will need something from you, they will nock to your door and tel you: "Well, mister criminal. Either you will colaborate with us or we will charge you for breaking this *.mp3 law". Or when you become a politician some big bussines guys will come to your office and ask you to support their bussines or they will fulfil their duty and as proper citizens they will report about your criminal activity.

      I know what I am talking about, I was living in communism for a while and blackmailing was a standard aproach of bastards from confinent police...

  8. Penalties by DarkEdgeX · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The new proposal would allow fines and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for violating copyrights and engaging in computer piracy.

    Bringing up the subject of a recent Slashdot article-- what's the penalty for actual theft in the traditional "go in, take it and walk out without paying for it" sense in Norway? Would the penalty for copyright infringement be worse or better by comparison?

    --
    All I know about Bush is I had a good job when Clinton was president.
    1. Re:Penalties by Reignking · · Score: 1

      I believe that they chop off your hand...

      --
      One man's Funny is another man's Offtopic.
    2. Re:Penalties by Thomas+Henden · · Score: 1, Informative

      The maximum prison time for breaking the new law, is 3 - three - years, and probably as much to pay, as the music industry will claim they've lost! In Norway - three years in prison as a maximum sentence, is VERY strict, probably about the same as for manslaughter, rape or bank robbery, when the circumstances for the defendant aren't pointing in a serious direction. (If there is a bad family history, or anything that could explain the defendant's poor behaviour, and which could be corrected, you seldom get three years in prison for violence in Norway. A psychopath or someone who don't regret their actions, will get a more servere sentence - sometimes!)

  9. Freedom of use by Romancer · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is why fair use is a good thing.

    Here in america we're supposedly protected, and our rights are slowly being torn down. In Norway it looks like they're just being negated.

    I'm all for people getting paid for their work, but to tell me that I can't use something I paid for in a way that I want, that's getting into big Govt. Where they dictate what you say and do because of their own interests instead of the peoples interests.

    If we don't stand up to this kind of crap all over the world there will no longer be a "free" nation where people can live without oppression.

    And BTW, I break no encryption or copy protection when I rip a cd to mp3 with my stereo and laptop, one plays the cd and one records the mic input directly into mp3 format. They can never stop this with any copy protection method. EVER.

    --


    ) Human Kind Vs Human Creation
    ) It'd be interesting to see how many humans would survive to serve us.
    1. Re:Freedom of use by Feztaa · · Score: 1

      They can never stop this with any copy protection method. EVER.

      True, but you lose quality in the digital->analog->digital conversion.

    2. Re:Freedom of use by TractorBarry · · Score: 1

      Good Man !

      And I've been known to send audio signals into the audio inputs of my DAT machine and then feed its digital output into my computers SPDIF inputs.

      So far I've only done this to convert old cassettes and 1/4 tape masters of local bands so they can be put onto CDs. But when the need arises...

      --
      Sky subscribers are morons. They pay to be advertised at !
    3. Re:Freedom of use by Kjella · · Score: 1

      Actually, we have considerable fair use in Norway. The problem is exactly the same as in the US, you have to magically exercise the right without violating the DMCA-equivalent paragraph. What good is a law that says you can do something, but not access the encrypted data to actually do it?

      Kjella

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    4. Re:Freedom of use by ScrewMaster · · Score: 2, Informative

      Not necessarily true. The RIAA was experimenting with analog watermarking a few years ago. If that were ever implemented on a wide scale, it would mean that the A/D converter in your sound card would refuse to output data if it detected any watermarking in the output signal of your CD player. I don't know how far they got (or if it is actually practical, it may have just been a political tool) but don't assume anything, anymore. We live in the age of cheap DSP and corrupt lawmakers. Anything is possible when it comes to controlling music distribution.

      Of course, technically one could build a 16-bit A/C (or buy an off-the-shelf industrial A/D board from the likes of Keithley or Analogic) and record that way (it's what I'd do) but that's way beyond the average listener.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    5. Re:Freedom of use by Romancer · · Score: 1

      Thst's where old hardware saves the day, With win95 on a cheap pc no new watermarking BS can touch it.

      --


      ) Human Kind Vs Human Creation
      ) It'd be interesting to see how many humans would survive to serve us.
  10. What's the penalty for falsely claiming ? by Quiberon · · Score: 3, Interesting
    So, I claim that you copied my CD to an MP3, and the Norwegian government puts you in jail.

    Why shouldn't you play the music on your jogging belt ? That's fair use !

    What if it turns out I had given you permission, but I just wanted you to be put in jail ?

    How about OGG ?

    How about uncompressed stuff ? USB sticks are getting bigger by the day.

    How about an encrypted MP3 ?

    What if it turns out I don't hold the copyright. Are you still in jail ?

    1. Re:What's the penalty for falsely claiming ? by marika · · Score: 2, Funny

      I didn't copy your cd, I've download it I swear.

      --
      This is totally insecure, but very convenient.
    2. Re:What's the penalty for falsely claiming ? by InfiniteWisdom · · Score: 1

      I don't know about Norwegian law, but here in the United States, making such false claims in court or in an affidavit would make you guilty of perjury which is a felony and can get you stiff fines and lots of jail time.

    3. Re:What's the penalty for falsely claiming ? by bloo9298 · · Score: 1

      BayTSP seem to get away with it.

    4. Re:What's the penalty for falsely claiming ? by Eivind · · Score: 1
      It does not help that using your legally purchased music in your mp3-player may be fair use. The thing is -- cracking the DRM to *access* the work is illegal under the DMCA even when the use itself is legal.

      If this new proposed law goes trough in Norway as proposed, it'll then be equally illegal here.

      So: Worst case the law in norway, on this field, gets equally perverse as it's already been for years in the USA.

  11. Re:Yeah, right. by l3v1 · · Score: 1

    Well, yup, only we're talking about making digital copies (and not downloading) of your protected CDs - which, mind you, means you could not rip CDs at all, given that most new albums come out with some kind of (usually useless but still) protection.

    --
    I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I can think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
  12. A good piece of investigative journalism... by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 4, Interesting
    A good piece of investigative journalism would be to go and fathom out what kind of process would lead a legislature to introduce such an ill-informed piece of law...

    And what happens when they start to crack down on people? They gonna jail everyone? Will the police arrest people with earphones and check if they have a MP3 player?

    1. Re:A good piece of investigative journalism... by Husgaard · · Score: 1

      This is not about cracking down on MP3, but about limiting free speech by making it a criminal offence to say how a copyright protection can be broken.

    2. Re:A good piece of investigative journalism... by dabrepus · · Score: 2, Informative

      The law is in a large part proposed due to a EU directive (Norway isn't even a member the EU, but in the EC). Especially the parts about copy protection are there because the government has to follow this directive.

      I believe Norway is the last country in the EC to do this.

    3. Re:A good piece of investigative journalism... by Pofy · · Score: 1

      Judging from what is said here, Norway have gone much further than the directive requires though.

    4. Re:A good piece of investigative journalism... by flossie · · Score: 1
      The law is in a large part proposed due to a EU directive (Norway isn't even a member the EU, but in the EC).

      <pedantic mode="euro-acronyms">
      Assuming that you are not referring to the European Commission (the EU's civil service), the EC (European Community) is the previous name for the EU (European Union), which came about when they dropped the "Economic" from European Economic Community (EEC). Norway, which is not a member of the EU, and was not a member of the EEC or EC, is a member of the EEA, the European Economic Area.

      What this means, I believe, is that if they implement EU directives voluntarily, they can have the economic benefits of EU membership without the political pressures. What it appears to mean in reality, is that they have no ability to influence EU directives, but take a very, very strict interpretation of them and implement them quicker that the real EU members.
      </pedantic>

    5. Re:A good piece of investigative journalism... by Graabein · · Score: 1
      > what kind of process would lead a legislature to introduce

      Good question. I wrote an article about just that (yeah, shameless plug) on www.luni.net. It's in Norwegian, but here's the relevant bit: In short, it's about adapting to the EUCD (EU Copyright Directive), which is a result of intense pressure from the US to impose DMCA-like laws. Which in turn was created to protect the US music, movie and other "content" industries, as we all know.

      But wait, there's more. Norway is not a member of the EU, only of the European Economic Area (EEA). Through the EEA-agreement Norway is bound to implement all EU directives, but has no influence over how they are drafted (yeah, stupid, tell me about it). In theory there is a way out however, Norway can veto any new EU directives which run counter to the nation's best interests. Does the current Norwegian government have the guts to use the right of veto in this case? Not a chance.

      This means we're left with a piece of legislation drafted in Hollywood, legislation no one in Norway really wants, not even the government. They're just too weak to resist.

      > They gonna jail everyone?

      If they catch 'em in the act, sure. That's not very likely to happen though, the police were the first to go public and protest against this new law, they claim it's impossible to uphold and will make every teenager a) a criminal, b) lose any respect they may have had for the law and c) even less likely to vote and take part in the political process as they will see politicians as creatures from another dimension.

      You know, as in, "hey, could you take a reading on the background radiation in your Universe?"

      I guess this just goes to show that the only thing worse than incompetent or corrupt politicians is gutless politicians. Or wait, the only thing worse... is all three.

      --
      And remember kids: Never trust a computer you can actually lift.
    6. Re:A good piece of investigative journalism... by The+Limp+Devil · · Score: 1

      Will the police arrest people with earphones and check if they have a MP3 player?

      Well, the police have protested the proposed law, saying that it is unenforceable, that it will criminalize ordinary citizens, and that the policve have better things to do. So they will probably just ignore the new law, except when a prosecutor can use to rack up the punishment on somebody already accused of other crimes: "He had ties til Osama Bin Laden and listened to mp3s!"

    7. Re:A good piece of investigative journalism... by dabrepus · · Score: 1

      Thank yuou for clearing up my acronym-mess.

      When it comes to directives, I am pretty sure that Norway has to implement all of them. This has happened several times in the past on very controversial issues - this download/anti-copy-protection-circumvention laws becoming one of them.

  13. Law makers? Or stand up comics? by SlayerofGods · · Score: 4, Funny

    "For example, a CD's (security code) could be cracked to play a recording on a car stereo, since a CD-player would be seen as an appropriate medium," the news release said. "But the security code could not be cracked to copy the recording onto an MP-3 player, since such a device would not be seen as an appropriate for a CD."
    Ahh that's classic.
    Who knew an mp3 player wasn't appropriate for playing music.

    --

    Technology, the cause of and solution to all of life's problems.
  14. Better explanation, (From the article) by Gyorg_Lavode · · Score: 4, Informative
    The amendment, which requires parliament's approval, would make it illegal to crack security codes on DVD and CDs or to provide software or hardware for doing so, a news release said. It would still be legal for a person to make a copy of their own CD or DVD for private use, even if that means cracking the code, as long as it was being copied onto the same digital medium and not onto another one.

    "For example, a CD's (security code) could be cracked to play a recording on a car stereo, since a CD-player would be seen as an appropriate medium," the news release said. "But the security code could not be cracked to copy the recording onto an MP-3 player, since such a device would not be seen as an appropriate for a CD."

    --
    I do security
    1. Re:Better explanation, (From the article) by letchhausen · · Score: 1
      More specifically, stop buying CD's with copy protection. I wouldn't have this problem since I don't buy mainstream music. However if this passes it will be easy to see who does since so many of 'em will be in jail! I guess it becomes a bad-taste tax.

      Since so many here get so serious and freak out if a post makes the slightest attempt at humour or an alternative opinion (especially those rabid iPod heads, sheesh, wotta buncha losers! Oops, there I go again!)I will disclaim the above by saying that I understand that there is plenty of good music on major labels and I was just funnin' around though I don't know anyone that would be threatened by this if it was implemented in America since I don't know anyone that buys stuff likely to be copy protected.

      Of course the Companies all hail this legislation and thereby show why consumers seek alternatives from their clueless lockdown on their "product".

      --
      Hey, you think your house is cool?
    2. Re:Better explanation, (From the article) by Gyorg_Lavode · · Score: 1

      Stop buying CDs. Buy the tracks on the media you want or in a way where no media is sold granting you the choise of media.

      --
      I do security
    3. Re:Better explanation, (From the article) by DunbarTheInept · · Score: 2, Informative


      as long as it was being copied onto the same digital medium and not onto another one.


      Memory chips used for RAM are a "different digital medium".
      So even playing a DVD normally, would be illegal since the decoded stream at some point has to pass through RAM for the program to use it.

      It's another case of "make all normal uses illegal, but promise to enforce the law selectively". Yah...right.

      --

      Don't label something "offtopic" unless you know the topic well enough to tell what's on topic.

    4. Re:Better explanation, (From the article) by LuSiDe · · Score: 1

      Is it just me, or does it smell like this is the result of the DeCSS cases (Norway and USA)?

      --
      WE DON'T NEED NO BLOG CONTROL.
  15. Government Subsidies by anonicon · · Score: 1

    Well, it's good that the Norweigan government is finally following America's lead and deciding to support the for-profit penal system. The only remaining question is whether they'll mollycoddle the music offenders, or bunk 'em all together with manly men named Sven and Rolf. Woof!

  16. Norway is bound to do this by Husgaard · · Score: 5, Informative
    This is sad but true: Although not an EU member, Norway is bound to implement the InfoSoc directive in their laws.

    And if you wonder what the InfoSoc directive is: It is basically EUs copy of the DMCA, only a bit worse.

    1. Re:Norway is bound to do this by Feztaa · · Score: 1

      the InfoSoc directive

      Why did that make me think of IngSoc? *shudder*

  17. On copyright restrictions and copyright laws by JessLeah · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Really, it's interesting that such anti-consumer laws can get passed in the first place. I consider this phenomenon to be due to an interesting historical accident (of sorts).

    Copyright laws weren't intended to affect consumers at all. They were written back in the days when "copying" a work meant pressing an unlicensed copy of a record, or printing an unlicensed copy of a book. Consumers didn't own record presses or printing presses, and thus weren't affected at all. The only people affected by these laws for many many many years were companies.

    It makes sense to have heavy fines for corporations who attempt to make money off of other corporations' copyrighted work. The $150,000 per copy (or whatever) maximum fines for copyright violation make more sense in that context (though arguably are still ridiculously high).

    However, in the Internet age, virtually anyone can make a perfect copy of virtually any data. Thus, we see those same $150,000 per copy (or whatever) maximum fines being used to threaten Joe Teenager from copying an MP3 from his friend. In this context, the amount is patently absurd.

    Companies may or may not realize how absurd and out-of-context their exploitation of these laws are, but they are going to ride them as long as they're allowed to (n.b.: This may well be "forever"). Thus, the laws originally intended to keep shady companies from getting rich off of each others' hard work are now being used primarily to keep the consumers in line. I don't expect this trend to stop any time soon.

    As I keep saying: Y'know all those sci-fi novels that predicted a future run by giant megacorps who ruthlessly control their consumers, but the consumers are largely too sheeplike to care? Well, that future is now.

    1. Re:On copyright restrictions and copyright laws by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Really, it's interesting that such anti-consumer laws can get passed in the first place.

      It hasn't been passed, infact it's unlikely to ever get passed - besides the obvious problem of being stupid, it is seen as a direct threat to the whole norwegian justice system which is based primarily on legislation. Any unenforceable law, the police have already signaled that they opposed it and would not be able to enforce it in any meaningful way, like this weakens the whole system.

      Unlike what the parent poster may think industry lobbying has virtually no influence on the courts and government here (DVD-Jon was aquitted remember?) it's quite unlikely that parliment would pass it (our government consists of ordinary people who are at the mercy of the voting public).

    2. Re:On copyright restrictions and copyright laws by noidentity · · Score: 1

      It makes sense to have heavy fines for corporations who attempt to make money off of other corporations' copyrighted work. The $150,000 per copy (or whatever) maximum fines for copyright violation make more sense in that context (though arguably are still ridiculously high).

      However, in the Internet age, virtually anyone can make a perfect copy of virtually any data. Thus, we see those same $150,000 per copy (or whatever) maximum fines being used to threaten Joe Teenager from copying an MP3 from his friend. In this context, the amount is patently absurd.


      I think RIAA etc. look at consumers as a huge company that rips them off, and thus treats each member as being accountable for the entire "operation". This seems to be the same thinking behind crippled e-books and future per-play charges for movies: when you multiply the possible profit of even small restrictions on consumers, they all seem a good idea.

      My mother would always multiply some insignificant savings (like dropping phone tone dialing to save $0.33 per month) by the 12 months per year or even over a number of years, to come up with a significant figure. What I could never get across to her was the relative insiginficance of this compared to major costs, how the overall impact of constant compulsive tinkering was negative, especially since it took time away from looking at the big issues.

    3. Re:On copyright restrictions and copyright laws by alexo · · Score: 1


      My comment here.

    4. Re:On copyright restrictions and copyright laws by danila · · Score: 1

      You don't need sci-fi for that. Check out Democracy or Despotism by Encyclopaedia Britannica Films. It really helps to realise where do people live now...

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
  18. bah only MP3s by Compenguin · · Score: 1

    It seems silly that they are tying the law to such a specific format, unless the submitter committted the big no-no of using MP3 as a generic for digital music. I will be enjoying my norwegian CDs encoded to vorbis.

  19. Re:Wow by l3v1 · · Score: 1

    Atually I quite like that "word", copywrite :) It could be the official caricature for copyright.

    --
    I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I can think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
  20. Re:Yeah, right. by FCAdcock · · Score: 1

    So if you copied the protected cd to another cd that didn't have the same protection, could you then rip mp3's of THAT cd?

    That sounds to easily done to be correct to me though.

    --
    --Forest C. Adcock--
  21. Re:Law makers? Or stand up comics? by 00Sovereign · · Score: 1

    "... an MP-3 player, since such a device would not be seen as an appropriate for a CD."

    Thankfully someone cleared that up. I mean, the last time I tried to cram a CD into my mp3 player I ended up with nothing but busted plastic shards cutting up my hands. They really are thinking of the children!

    --
    "Me fail English, that's unpossible." --Ralphie
  22. Re:I completely agree by l3v1 · · Score: 1

    Same old same old, so I'll just ask you another "same old" one: you would expect everyone to re-rip everything (me having absolutely nothing against ogg, I love it) ? That is everyone who has more then 3 albums.

    --
    I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I can think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
  23. Buy from customer-oriented artists by SunFan · · Score: 2


    We cannot forget that artists and labels can remove restrictions for music just as companies use Open Source licenses to remove restrictions for software. If "fair use" is vague in copyright law, what's stopping artists and labels from adding it back into the licensing contract? A good customer is a satisfied customer, right?

    --
    -- Microsoft is the most expensive commodity operating system and office suite vendor in the marketplace.
    1. Re:Buy from customer-oriented artists by headkase · · Score: 1

      ...If "fair use" is vague in copyright law, what's stopping artists and labels from adding it back into the licensing contract?...
      Probably the fact the they would never get a contract in the first place if they insisted on such a clause.

      --
      Shh.
    2. Re:Buy from customer-oriented artists by ILikeRed · · Score: 1

      What we need is for one of the guys (Michael Robertson?) who got so wealthy off the dot com bubble to set up legitimate content for the AARP crowd. This could be easily done by setting up a large trust for a major university's symphony program. In exchange, all performances would be recorded, ripped to mp3, licensed under the creative commons, and made available on p2p networks. If they could then get the 65+ crowd used to the idea of sharing, all of this other nonsense would go away quickly.

      --
      I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress -J Adams
  24. What is the motivation? by Yonkeltron · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Is the motivation to reform copyright based on a real desire to be more fair or is it because the music industry is not as big there?

    Not that it matters...good idea any which way.

    --
    Keep the faith, share the code
    1. Re:What is the motivation? by Luguber123 · · Score: 1

      Parts of the norwegian national budget is already set aside to compensate artists for economical loss due to CD copying. Yet it seems like a problem that you want to copy the contents of a CD you have paid for to your MP3 player.

      How come a music CD costs a lot more than a blank CD-R? You are not even entitled to a license of the contents. If you break the CD you cannot have a new one for the production cost, meaning you don't have any rights to use the contents unless you use it from the delicate original CD.

      I don't like the fact that a fixed amount of my tax money goes to artists I don't even like, especially when the same artists encourage the industry to leave me with the worst possible listening experience.

    2. Re:What is the motivation? by supergnom · · Score: 1

      This law proposal is based on the EU InfoSoc directive, which is likely bought by the megacorps. As well, they have done a hearing of the proposal with different groups, such as the EFF in Norway, consumer organizations and of course a lot of recording associations.

      Guess who's for and who's against. That alone should be enough to stop this kind of laws.

      --
      This signature available under the Creative Commons
  25. Re:Law makers? Or stand up comics? by jericho4.0 · · Score: 2
    And who the hell buys 'CD-player's anymore? If it can't play mp3s, it can't play my music. Hear that Mr. Music Executive?

    --
    "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
  26. Ka ching by Joules+Burn · · Score: 1

    Nothin better than a whole nation of lawbreakers when fines are involved ay. Those crazy politicians, doncha jus luvem.

  27. Re:Wow by IWannaBeAnAC · · Score: 1

    Actually, I think that was the original spelling. Can't find a reference for it though.

  28. elected officials are not known for being bright - by Baldur_of_Asgard · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Elected officials are not known for being too bright - after all, they DO represent the people.

    Elected officials have always made bad laws, and it has been very noticeable in recent years since technological changes have occurred so quickly, and most elected officials are too old to have caught on with what is happening. Even most of those who have adapted to technology have only done so in a superficial way.

    But beyond this, elected officials generally reflect the views of society at large, including hysterias and short-sighted selfishness and everything else. It is the chief pitfall of democracy, and it the reason why the writers of the U.S. Constitution did not institute direct democracy. Unfortunately, the direct election of Senators and other changes have gradually worn down that protection. In any case, I presume things are similar in Norway.

    I'm afraid that any investigative journalism will have little effect, as journalism also tends to reflect the idiocies of the public.

    :sigh: it would be nice to live in a free country.

    Baldur of Asgard

  29. Anyone got any LPs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    That thing I think is so absurd about this is the fact they have forgotten the most important reason for being able to transform media, obsolescence. What happens when the CD format is gone and there are no more CD-players? This happens to all forms of media over time. Does the content just cease to be used? Even it they industry argues they can resell it in the new form, who is to say they will still exist to do so? It seems to be that this is a bit of a perversion.

    On a side note, no country has to do anything. If the European Union suddenly decided that they wanted to be communist, it does not mean that a country under treaty has to obey. They can politely refuse and deal with the consequences. Given how much these laws are hated, I do not see huge consequences. Anyone saying otherwise is simply using the excuse, "I was ordered to do it!" and we all know what that led to.

    1. Re:Anyone got any LPs by mcc · · Score: 4, Insightful

      That thing I think is so absurd about this is the fact they have forgotten the most important reason for being able to transform media, obsolescence.

      No, I think they have it very much in mind.

      What happens when the CD format is gone and there are no more CD-players?

      Then obviously you'll have to pay the recording industry for the privilege of continuing to listen to the music you previously bought.

      And, of course, that's the entire point. You have to remember who these laws are being passed for the benefit of. This isn't about money, or about preventing piracy. It's about allowing the current form of the recording industry to dictate the terms under which people are and are not allowed to listen to music. Mp3 ripping represents the capacity for consumers to remove all limitations on how they use the music they have purchased; therefore it has to go.

      Even it they industry argues they can resell it in the new form, who is to say they will still exist to do so?

      I wouldn't worry about that. If further threats to the continued existence of the recording industry in its current form appear, then they'll just have those outlawed too.

    2. Re:Anyone got any LPs by supergnom · · Score: 1

      One of the critizisms of the proposal is in fact the insanely close coupling to technology. Terms such as "CD", "MP3" etc. really should not be within a law.

      That whole limitation as to which player is regarded as appropriate for a medium is totally screwed, and is only likely to get worse. For example, what about a portable CD player that can also play mp3s? Is it illegal to use the "mp3" part of the player, or does the fact that it is compatible with a round, silvery plastic disk enough to make it "appropriate"?

      Finally we'll all be content that the Norwegian Police discharge 80% of all cases due to "the state of the evidence"... "State", such as "yes, we did actually stop the burglar with a skrewdriver THE CAR LOCK, but hey, with the state of the evidence and all, we just have to let dismiss this case."

      We're so going to end up as a nation of criminals. :-(

      --
      This signature available under the Creative Commons
  30. Roll over Beethoven by panurge · · Score: 1
    If this means that in Norway it will be illegal to hum the opening bars of piano concertos, attempt to play Beethoven with a guitar group, or conversely get the Oslo Philharmonic (if there is one) to play any kind of orchestration of any kind of rock and roll whatsoever....and that guy who used to fart tunes (Le Petomane- slashdot inability to reproduce accents oblige) would be sent down for three years...well, that's where the logic seems to lead and it sounds just fine to me. It's obviously OK to reproduce music in a similar mode but not a different one. Which just seems to have ruled out electronic reproduction of music altogether. Oh dear.

    That's the trouble with tiny countries: it's hard enough to find competent legislators in big ones, where there are more people to choose from. But small countries end up being run by the sort of people who were pushed out of the PTA for being too anal about the intepretation of the rules on the cake contest, and are thirsting for revenge.

    --
    Panurge has posted for the last time. Thanks for the positive moderations.
    1. Re:Roll over Beethoven by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 1
      the Oslo Philharmonic (if there is one)

      There was one, but In Norway it is dark for eight months of the year, and it's cold enough to freeze your wrists off and there's only golly fish to eat. Oh, wait. It was Reykyavik. Damn, it's tragic when a Monty Python reference explodes in one's face. :(

      Anyway, the first attempt at an orchestra was marred when paramedic sled dog teams had to be rushed in to help the brass section, whose tongues and lips had frozen to their instruments. Fortunately, it was a Philip Glass (known as "Norway's Prodigal Son" despite being born in Maryland) work entitled "One Hundred And Twenty Four Minutes Of Absolutley Nothing" so the performance was unaffected.

      But seriously: http://www.oslophil.com/IPS?template=english

  31. OK. I'll bite. by JonTurner · · Score: 2, Funny

    >>Who knew an mp3 player wasn't appropriate for playing music.

    Sony.

  32. Re:Don't worry, its americanisation by G4LL4RD0 · · Score: 1

    Its incredible but Well see in the future the consequences...

  33. thgirypoc by digidave · · Score: 1

    Copyright reversed is rightcopy. Does that mean I have the right to copy?

    (gimme a break it's 4:30 on Friday)

    --
    The global economy is a great thing until you feel it locally.
    1. Re:thgirypoc by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 1
      (gimme a break it's 4:30 on Friday)

      What?!?! It's only 1:44 here! My God, a message from The Future!!!!

      Please! Tell us what happens in the next 3 hours!

      And copyright reversed is thgirypoc, which, curiously, is an ancient Icelandic term which loosely translates as "an ill considered law upon which Odin pisses".

      Oh, you already had that one in the subject line. Oops. :) Hey, give me a break. It's only 1:48 on Fri- Oh my God! It's 1:48 now! I've traveled in time!

    2. Re:thgirypoc by digidave · · Score: 1

      You'll be in for a shock when Microsoft announces they are abandoning Windows in favour of Linux at 3:30. And someone broke the Enigma code.

      --
      The global economy is a great thing until you feel it locally.
  34. No resources to enfore it by freqmod · · Score: 1

    The police, who do not have enough resources to enforce theft from shops will not by any means be able to enforce this law. However the police may raid an averige high scool and arrest 3/4 of the pupiles, (who listens to music downloaded from the internett (not from iTunes) or copied from a CD on their iPods).

  35. Re:But I thought... by Geekboy(Wizard) · · Score: 1

    Not from lack of trying :/

  36. My prediction... by neonstz · · Score: 1

    Nothing will change for me if this law gets passed. I'll just ignore it, and I predict that other people will too.

    Slightly off-topic, this has probably been said a lot but I'll say it again. The music industry needs to rethink their marketing strategies. I'll use myself as an example here. I don't listen to radio at all, I don't watch much TV (and when I do, it's not the channels that run ads for artists). When I buy music I don't just pick something from the "top 20" list. I download MP3s and put them into iTunes. Then I just listen to songs that haven't been played before. If there is a song I like I just give it a 4 or 5 star rating and maybe I listen to the album. If it doesn't suck I may buy it from amazon or play.com. Sometimes I drop by a music store in town and browse through the sections with music I'm interested in to see if I can find some gems (if the store doesn't sort by genre I just leave).

    After I started listening music this way, my CD purchases has increased from maybe 5 a year to about one per week.

    The difference between me and the "ideal" consumer (from an industry standpoint) is that I'm in total control. I get exposed to stuff I know I might like. (Before emusic changed their policy, I browsed different sections and got the top rated stuff just to check it out).

    1. Re:My prediction... by thpr · · Score: 1
      I'm amazed at how similar your buying pattern is (well, was) to mine. I don't actually download the MP3s anymore, though I was a long-time member of Pressplay before it became Napster (their transition required a Microsoft tax [Win2K or newer] which I refused to pay). I bought a ton of music during that period of time, and still have the 400 or so 3x5 cards where I wrote all of the songs I had listened to. At the peak of this, I was buying close to your consumption of 1 album a week.

      Today, I buy almost nothing. Three albums in 2004, I think. I happily listen to my iPod, but am currently in "upset at the industry and protesting with my dollars" mode.

      I do have one note, however, regarding your post: "The difference between me and the "ideal" consumer (from an industry standpoint) is that I'm in total control". While some executives are afraid of those in control, that shouldn't be a problem for someone in marketing (speaking from someone who does it :) ). While it may terrify the strategic marketing team (whose job it is to create and sustain market control points), it is possible to completely cede control yet still be able to survive in the market. Look at gasoline and Mobil's speedpass. Blatently zero-value add product that is differentiated on convenience. What could be done with a system that could suggest songs along the lines of how Amazon.com suggests books [though their system is awful, IMHO, others like it].

      The key to surviving without control points is doing what the insurance industry does well: predicting behavior. If they can predict the chance of something, they can insure it. So the real root-cause problem for the market intelligence (or perhaps more appropriately the consumer behavior) team in a record company (as opposed to the artificial problem an executive creates) isn't that you are exploring outside the "top 20", but that they have not expended any effort AT ALL to understand the non-Wal-Mart, non-top 20 behavior. Thus, this ignorance breeds fear, and they are absolutely terrified of how to deal with such a world.

      However, if you drop the fear, think of what they could do: Partnerships with cell or on-line providers to let me single-time sample music by streaming it to a cell phone or one-shots on my iPod and let me push a button to say I like it. Avoid ever sending me the same song twice to do that song management for me (that I did on 3x5 cards). Mix "suggestions" with random titles (hijacking methods from LaunchCast) to help focus the music, if I want that. Log those I like, then when I strike more than one on an album, email me that album name and offer it at a $1 discount through Amazon.com (or please queue them up to send only 1 email a week... really, honest, I don't want this to be spammish). If I get single songs that don't get onto an album, let me know that too periodically, and given me 10c off at iTunes. There is SO much the music industry could learn from the grocery industry as far as using IT and cross promotion. Someone should steal Wegmans' CIO - they could make a mint with the ideas he could churn out to leverage the value of IT.

  37. Re:A few years ago by kilogram · · Score: 1

    Actually, this law is a byproduct of the European Union. As far as I can tell, it is being forced upon us by the EU. Norway is not a member of the European Union, but are still forced to adopt many of the same laws, this just being the most recent of many.

  38. Re:I completely agree by jacksonj04 · · Score: 1

    I use AAC, do I get points?

    --
    How many people can read hex if only you and dead people can read hex?
  39. ironically enough by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

    illegal to rip a CD to MP3s when copy protection is in place on the CD.

    If I'm at a music store and a CD that interests me has copy protection, I don't buy it. I go home and download it off of p2ps instead.

    I don't listen to CDs: I listen to my rips on the computer or the iPod! If a label tells me they don't want me to listen to their stuff on my iPod, I curse them and get the content to the device of my choice without giving them money.

    So, fuck the RIAA for trying to tell me which hardware I can or cannot use to listen to music.

    --

    You can't take the sky from me...

    1. Re:ironically enough by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      You go soldier... thats the spirit. Is this the most constructive way of sticking it to the man? Its nothing compared to *really* protesting and informing the public and thereby actually causing the music industry lost sales because you have turned the maistream off copyprotected cd's. But hey, you enjoy your silent victory all on your own at home.

    2. Re:ironically enough by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

      actually causing the music industry lost sales because you have turned the maistream off copyprotected cd's.

      I'm flaterred that you think I have to power to sway public opinion. Me VS a hundred year old multibillion dollar industry with countless professionals on retainer... it's an interresting thought.

      Alas, I do not. I do, however, tell those I know about it. Post the occasional message on /., that kind of stuff that is actually within my reach.

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    3. Re:ironically enough by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      You could sit outside a music shop with a sign... convincing just one is the hardest bit. Once thats done your message will spread.

    4. Re:ironically enough by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

      You could sit outside a music shop with a sign... convincing just one is the hardest bit. Once thats done your message will spread.

      Do that, tell me how it went.

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    5. Re:ironically enough by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      Excuse me, I'm not the one stealing the music remember...

    6. Re:ironically enough by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

      Excuse me, I'm not the one stealing the music remember...

      Ah, THAT'S what you were getting at. Ah, well, in that case, let me sum up my feelings thusly (again): fuck the RIAA.

      They are the ones attempting to prevent me from legally transfering the music from the CD to my iPod, so I get the music on the iPod without getting the disc. If they don't like it, they just need to stop trying to stop me from using legitimatly bought music fairly. In the meantime, fuck 'em, and their lackeys (that would be you).

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    7. Re:ironically enough by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      Yeah the thing is, your arguement is flawed because in your first post you talked about pirating music. Now you are complaining that they are trying to prevent you from using the music you legitimately own.

    8. Re:ironically enough by lachlan76 · · Score: 1

      If they prevent me from using the music which I legitimately own, I'll just pirate it.

      I'm happy to buy music, as long as I can rip it through cdparanoia and play it on my iPod. If not, what's the point?

    9. Re:ironically enough by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      Did the cat get your tongue then?

    10. Re:ironically enough by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

      You still trolling me? I guess the lil' red dot will remind me to ignore you...

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    11. Re:ironically enough by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      Ha! I guess the orange one will remind me to take note of any more of your flawed arguements in the future. *rolls eyes*

  40. Same penalty as theft by Aewyn · · Score: 3, Informative

    IANAL, but a quick search seems to indicate[1] that the penalty for theft is the same as in your quote: fines and up to three years in prison.

    [1] http://lovdata.no/all/hl-19020522-010.html#257 (in Norwegian)

    1. Re:Same penalty as theft by DarkEdgeX · · Score: 1

      If true, at least they're being consistant (even though copyright infringement is still arguably less criminal than outright theft). Leave it to the Europeans to make sense. ;)

      --
      All I know about Bush is I had a good job when Clinton was president.
    2. Re:Same penalty as theft by thePjunisher · · Score: 2, Informative

      Check out http://lovdata.no/all/hl-19020522-010.html#391a That's the one about stealing smaller items... Fines and/or 6 months in prison

    3. Re:Same penalty as theft by DarkEdgeX · · Score: 1

      In that case this new law is crap. Hopefully Norway can avoid slipping into copyright hell.

      --
      All I know about Bush is I had a good job when Clinton was president.
  41. What if you don't notice? by Xtifr · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I use Linux, thus, I wouldn't even notice any "copy-protection" schemes based on having Windows autostart files on the disc. I use cdparanoia to rip, and its anti-jitter, anti-scratch, error-correction features will probably blow past the remaining "copy-protection" schemes based on adding deliberate errors to the disc. Are they going to provide me with tools to detect the presence of "copy protection" that I otherwise wouldn't even be able to notice? Or are they simply planning to outlaw Linux?

    This legislation seems insane and miguided (at least from the /. summary, which I realize isn't a reliable guide to what's actually been proposed). I hope that European Free Software and Consumers' Rights groups are all over this one.

  42. One excellent way to increase the control by Qa1 · · Score: 2

    of governmental and commercial organization over private citizens is to pass laws that make _everyone_ a criminal upon close inspection.

    "So, you aren't very fond of our actions, huh? Well let's just check you desktop computer... shouldn't be a problem for you, right? Your'e just a law abiding citizen...

    "Oh, wait a minute. Look what I just found! Seems like your going down, buddy. You sure are sorry you messed with us now, huh, punk?!"

    1. Re:One excellent way to increase the control by MerlinTheWizard · · Score: 1

      Ultimately, I think you're right: what all this is really about, is control over people. They want to control what you do with what they sell: something that would never have been credible even 10 years ago. Today, you can still buy a CD and lend it to a friend (let's not talk about pirating anything, just friendly lending stuff!). Tomorrow, you might no be able to. Heck, you might not even be able to listen to it yourself anymore if the editor decides so. Everyone will agree that "stealing is bad". If you rob someone you deprive them of their property, which is a prejudice. The problem that purely digital content is facing is that you're not depriving anyone of anything by copying the content: copying the content doesn't deprive the content of anything. Of course, if nobody buys, there won't be anything to copy anymore. We all agree on that one too. But the issues around digital content are major ones, and they need to be addressed in a serious way. But not the way they are now: what seems like a very serious difficulty for the music and movie industry is actually a potential gold mine. If they "win" their way over digital content, they'll be able to control everyone, every second of the day. Because obviously pretty much everything we deal with will be digital content sooner or later, and total control over all media content means total control over people using it. To regain our privacy, we might have one day to go back to living in caves.

    2. Re:One excellent way to increase the control by ZorroXXX · · Score: 1
      of governmental and commercial organization over private citizens is to pass laws that make _everyone_ a criminal upon close inspection.

      "So, you aren't very fond of our actions, huh? Well let's just check you desktop computer... shouldn't be a problem for you, right? Your'e just a law abiding citizen...

      "Oh, wait a minute. Look what I just found! Seems like your going down, buddy. You sure are sorry you messed with us now, huh, punk?!"

      This is not new: "It's so convenient to have a system where everyone is a criminal" - A. Hitler

      --
      When you are sure of something, you probably are wrong (search for "Unskilled and Unaware of It").
  43. Re:Yeah, right. by Stonehand · · Score: 1

    In that case, it might be argued that what you've made isn't a copy but a derivative; since your unprotected version clearly (and intentionally!) is different from the original, it's not a copy.

    --
    Only the dead have seen the end of war.
  44. Stop bitching by Donny+Smith · · Score: 1

    Did I get this right - they complain how stealing is illegal?

    How about "borrowing" a CD-ROM from a music shop, ripping it and then putting it back on the shelf? Is that stealing?
    But no matter what I say I'm sure some smart ass will post some quasi counter-arguments...

    Before one of top arguments were "bloated" prices of CD-ROMs.
    Then after songs became available for 99c a pop (no need to buy a whole set of 12 songs), we've learned how "content wants to be free" and similar crap.
    The new Napster service gives you unlimited access to millions (I guess) of songs for a paltry $15/month or so. If you listen your MP3 player 10 hours a day or 300 hours a month, that's 5 cents for each hour of listening. Is that expensive? I don't think so.
    To those who "consume" more than a CD a month (I don't), the new Napster might be cheaper than buying from Apple's online store, but in any case, the both are good choices.

    I'm trying very hard but can't feel any sympathy for those who complain about this new law.
    I would understand if one said "Shit, it's already unethical and now it's illegal, too, but what the hell, I'll try my luck".
    Then once you get busted (or if you get busted), you should accept your loss, but you can't object about the law itself - you can only blame your stupidity, shortsightedness, bad luck, etc.

    1. Re:Stop bitching by AC5398 · · Score: 1

      I tried the pay-to-download services - in Canada it's called Puretracks.

      Guess which wmv files my portable Sony music player won't play ... yep, the Puretracks ones. Ain't progress grand?

      Look, dude, if I go to the trouble of PURCHASING a damn cd, it's because I want to rip the thing to mp3 and then listen to it. So long as I don't 'redistribute' the music, who freakin' cares!

      Y'know, the music industry was saying that they didn't mind my having mp3s, so long as I didn't share 'em with 200 of my best friends; now they've changed their minds and are saying they mind my having mp3s, sharing or no sharing, and they're going to make it illegal to have mp3s.

      I have no sympathy for 'em when their sales fall even further -- who the feck would buy their damn cds when it just gets you into feckin' trouble?

    2. Re:Stop bitching by MKalus · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I'm trying very hard but can't feel any sympathy for those who complain about this new law.


      Simply put: When I buy a CD and I want to listen to it on my iPod, I can't anymore. At least not legally.

      That's the crux.

      It doesn't change the legal status of downloads, all it does is prevent people who already paid for the music to use it legally in one of their own playback devices.

      It's the industries attempt trying to nickle and dime to death.
      --
      If you want to e-mail me, use my PGP Key.
    3. Re:Stop bitching by thePjunisher · · Score: 1

      Your first question there... well, yes. But if I bought, say, Windows XP and copied it to my brother, that would be legal, since software in Norway is protected under the same laws as music or films or books. That's what the DVD-Jon case was all about. The question the court in the end posed to itself was:

      "What can a Norwegian consumer do with a movie he or she has bought?"

      The answer was:

      "Whatever he or she damn well pleases, as long as it's for private use."

      Private use includes making copies for family and close friends. That's what the're trying to change. Everyone agrees that downloading music you don't own from p2p or whatever is not totally kosher, so having that made illegal probably won't cause such a stir, but if they start screwing with our right to copy what we have already bought... then, well, we'll just ignore them i suppose.

    4. Re:Stop bitching by carlvs · · Score: 1

      It's obvious by your comments that you didn't bother to read the article. The law in question would make any conversion of CDs into MP3s illegal - even ones you had bought and were only converting for personal use (like transfering songs to a portable player.)

      As for that Napster service you mentioned, it has one rather glaring defect: if you decide for some reason to cancel your subscription, you lose access to ALL the tracks you had downloaded. To me that's just equivelent to pouring money down a black hole...

    5. Re:Stop bitching by Alsee · · Score: 1

      Who the hell modded this moron up?

      Any so-called "theft" is already illegal. This law does does not catch "thieve" who were not already covered some other law. The point is that this NEW law adds innocent people to the prison roles!

      Unless you'd like to argue that the OWNER of a CD is a an evil theif and pirate for loading HIS MUSIC onto his MP3 player. Becuase that is who this law imprisons. As far as I can see that is an innocent person, and I have an objection to your claim that you have some right to pull out a gun and forcibly imprison innocent people.

      How's that for "some smart ass" posting "some quasi counter-argument"? That I object to imprisoning innocent people? Yeah, I'm some smartass how just wants to steal stuff. Riiight.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    6. Re:Stop bitching by whatshisname · · Score: 1
      Did I get this right - they complain how stealing is illegal?

      The short answer is: No. You did not get this right. Stealing being illegal isn't even the issue.

      One analogy I've already heard, goes like this:

      Some publishers have already started to print their papers in invisible ink. They offer filters for their subscribers so they can read the papers anyway.
      This is supposedly to stop people "stealing" papers by partially reading them in stores, or reading papers left in cafes, buses etc.
      But wait! Turns out you can put on some polaroid sunglasses upside down and read the paper without the filters (which btw are numbered and carefully registered, user's ssn and all). Other methods also turn up.

      Now, however, those methods are being banned. You are only allowed to use those filters. Which may or may not be even available in your region.

      And the availability is an issue. For starters, the record companies in Norway seem to define "diversity" as "two extra Britney Spears wannebes".

      Think I'm joking? Real-life example: I got a phone call not too long ago from a sales guy at some big record store. They had some campaign going, and wondered if I might be interested in some offers. What kind of music did I like? Top 20, pop, rock, jazz or classic? When I answered "Japanese rock" (I had some playing in the background), he said (in so many words): "Oh. Sorry to have wasted your time then." And hung up.

      I really can't remember last time I heard someone public (like a radio or tv station) play something that wasn't from North America or (north-)western Europe. And predigested. And only the biggest record stores downtown seem to have some so exotic as, ooh, Youssou N'Dour? And he's to be found in the "African music" section (in the one single shop here that even has one).

      Which reminds me: Once I found a CD there (the African music section) that, when I listened to it, sounded kinda Caribbean (zouk, to be precise). I asked the guy behind the counter if this CD shouldn't rather be sorted under West Indies, and I actually had to explain to a 20 year old Norwegian that "West Indies" did not mean "western India"! He didn't even seem to have fkin heard about Columbus! And he was working in a store that sold music from around the world!

      (Well, those parts of the world that the management seemed to have heard about...)

      Another real-world example: I just went to iTunes, and what do I see?

      Purchases from the iTunes Music Store are available only in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

      Q: Who isn't on the list?
      A: Norway.

      Q: Who's now about to ban CD ripping, even for personal use?
      A: Norway.

      And I'm not saying this to rag on iTunes, there's a more widespread attitude problem here.

      --
      Don't question authority -- it doesn't know either.
  45. Re:A few years ago by johannesg · · Score: 1
    As far as I can tell, it is being forced upon us by the EU. Norway is not a member of the European Union, but are still forced to adopt many of the same laws, this just being the most recent of many.

    Just to clarify, after the short but brutal 1998 war in which the EU annexed Norway, a puppet regime was installed that could only implement laws actually made in Brussels.

    Wait, that's wrong: Norway chose to join the EC on its own, since presumably it thought doing so gave certain benefits. While this obviously shows there are also downsides, it is hard to believe that Norway had no idea about this beforehand...

  46. That's insane by lowe0 · · Score: 1

    Why in God's name does it matter how I wish to store or transport my music?

    I hate this sort of thing. Legislators need to find the action that actually causes harm and outlaw THAT, rather than attacking some random point in the chain. (In this case, that means punishing those who distribute copyrighted content, not those who copy it.)

    How the hell would anyone be able to use an iPod in Norway?

    1. Re:That's insane by mark-t · · Score: 1
      There already is a law against the action that causes harm; there has been for decades, and people are just willy ignoring it as if the law weren't there.

      Plain old ordinary copyright law says that you are not allowed to copy material that is copyrighted without permission from the copyright holder unless it is for _PERSONAL AND PRIVATE USE_ (plus allowances for fair use, but that's not what is really the problem here).

      Publicly sharing, as wonderful and as selfless as the motives may be behind it, does not constitute personal and private use (nor fair use), and so no permission to copy a work has been offered if the ultimate purpose of that copy is to share.

      But you're more than welcome to share the original copy of the work that you purchased from the store, if you are so inclined. Interestingly enough, you are also welcome to share copies that you yourself did not actually make (although unless the person who gave you that copy had permission to make copies for purposes other than personal/private/fair use, he himself violated copyright when he gave that copy to you).

      This interpretation makes it unilaterally clear that people who publicly share files that they had no actual permission from the copyright holder to copy are violating copyright, since sharing them exceeds the bounds of personal/private/fair use.

      It also makes it unilaterally clear that libraries are _NOT_ violating copyright by having photocopiers on their premises, since they are not the ones who are making any copies. A person who shares material on his hard drive, however, had to make a copy of the original material in the first place to put on the hard drive, and so can't claim a similar defense.

  47. Illegal mp3 ripping? Are they nuts? by AC5398 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    *** "The Norwegian government has shown a broad vision that is unique in Europe," said the group's secretary general Per Morten Hoff. He praised the law for recognizing the industry's right to protect copyrighted material. ***

    Vision that is unique? LOL! With the currently changing markets for music formats - no one wants a portable cd player any more, everyone wants a portable mp3/wmv player - Norway's vision is ensuring either their population breaks the law, or sales of music cd's will plummet.

    Their right to protect copyrighted material is going to be guaranteed by the time they're finished -- no one is going to be interested in the material at all by the time all those criminal convictions of illegal mp3 rippings take place.

    Buy a music cd? Hell no, who needs the trouble that causes.

    Talk about biting the hand that feeds you ...

  48. Well that's the interesting part by mcc · · Score: 1

    If this law passed, then this would mean that if you buy a CD from the store, you'd be able to use it only in CD players but not on your computer or portable mp3 player,

    but if you buy music from the iTunes Music Store or a similar service you can use it in either location, since burning to CD is outright one of the advertised features.

    In such a circumstance I can't imagine why anyone who owns a computer would ever buy CDs at all, except that the iTunes Music Store doesn't exist in Norway right now. If this passes and gets enforced and people are paying attention, the end result could just be the total cessation of CD sales in Norway.

    Though, of course, the idea this law would be really enforced instead of just being selectively enforced against people the police and/or the recording industries arbitrarily want to throw in jail is pretty outlandish.

  49. Re:Don't worry about Europe. by DunbarTheInept · · Score: 1

    Biblical law would not include in article VI of the constitution that no religious test is allowed for holding public office.

    --

    Don't label something "offtopic" unless you know the topic well enough to tell what's on topic.

  50. New Government in Sep. Anyway by ortcutt · · Score: 1
    The polls indicate that this Norwegian government is out by the end of the year anyway.
    With the Conservatives now at 18.7 percent and the Kr.F at 8.0 percent, the alliance would not even have a parliamentary advantage against the red-green alliance with the assistance of the populist Progress Party, currently the second most popular party with 19 percent support.

    Full Article

    Background

    1. Re:New Government in Sep. Anyway by Jarlsberg · · Score: 1
      The polls indicate that this Norwegian government is out by the end of the year anyway.
      And a new social government will make this better how?

      The Parliament will vote on this in the next few months. The upcoming election in the fall will not matter in this context.

    2. Re:New Government in Sep. Anyway by ortcutt · · Score: 1

      Whatever is passed can be repealed.

    3. Re:New Government in Sep. Anyway by Jarlsberg · · Score: 1

      Sure, and I really do hope it will if the law is passed. I'm a conservative and had originally planned to vote for the current governemnt, but for this issue, I'm willing to switch sides.

  51. Remember Eurovision by TractorBarry · · Score: 1

    As the rest of Europe used to say in the Eurovision song contest (adopts pseudo French accent)...

    "Norway, null points"

    --
    Sky subscribers are morons. They pay to be advertised at !
  52. Just another paper law by HvitRavn · · Score: 1

    This is just another on-the-paper law, made to conform to western trends in (media focused) law. This is clearly a consequence of all the controversy around the current norwegian copyright laws.

    However, the enforcement of it will be marginal, if existent at all. My guess is ISP's will continue to forward threat mail from MPAA/RIAA to their customers as they are recieved, and do nothing more about it, just like before.

    1. Re:Just another paper law by HvitRavn · · Score: 1

      I'd like to add that the actual cause of this is Norways association with EU and their directives, specifically the "InfoSoc" (mentioned in a previous comment). However, reading various articles (like this one) indicates that this is indeed a law that has been practically forced upon Norway, and the actual enforcement of it is not likely to happen on any substansial scale.

  53. Re:Don't worry about Europe. by DunbarTheInept · · Score: 1

    The point is that that little tidbit of law is proof that the US government is not now and never was a Christian bible-based government, as the previous poster falsely implied. I wasn't saying anything about what the future might hold.

    --

    Don't label something "offtopic" unless you know the topic well enough to tell what's on topic.

  54. Re:No surprise there by orzetto · · Score: 1
    The incompetent idiots running this country has done again.

    Please remark that elections are next year and it's quite unlikely the current right-wing government (Right party, Left party which is actually more centre, and Christian people's party) stands. Next government should likely be Worker's party, Socialist Left, and Centre Party (former Farmer's party). None of these should be especially inclined in favour of this law, and even inside the government there is criticism.

    So, in brief: this is going to be like the time they proposed to move rusbrus (light vodka-based drinks) to the Vinmonopolet (if you don't know what it is you probably don't want to): talked about it, seen that everybody was insanely pissed off (taking alcohol from a Norwegian is like taking guns from a Texan), and forgot the matter as they probably noticed the current situation does not allow them to lose voters.

    PS- you might notice there is a large party I did not mention, the Progress Party; they have a political attitude similar to American republicans, and therefore nobody wants to have any business with them. An alliance for the right-wing majority with the Progress party would likely result in massive voter defection. So until they get to 51% they count little.

    --
    Victims of 9/11: <3000. Traffic in the US: >30,000/y
  55. Jail Everyone? But in Norway, don't they...? by Chordonblue · · Score: 1

    "They have conjugal visits there don't they?"

    Not that I know of. No, minimum security prison is no picnic. I have a client in there right now. He says the trick is, kick someone's ass the first day, or become someone's bitch. Then everything will be alright.

    --
    "...Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam..."
  56. Re:A few years ago by thePjunisher · · Score: 1

    Yeah but... There's something about Norwegian law overriding any treaty, isn't there? Uhm, I mean, they're pushing this law so that we CAN conform to the EU, we dont have to, but they want us to become members. Remember, the current government is a bunch of right wing religious nutters who think money is far more important than people.

  57. Re:No surprise there by thePjunisher · · Score: 1

    Ok, so slightly off topic here, but... It's a tiny bit unfair to compare the Frp to the Republicans... Frp are rasist, crypto-fascistoid, elitist scum, much like Republicans, that's true, but the Republicans have nicer much suits. Oh, and in case you can't guess, I'm probably gonna vote for Kristin :-)

  58. Idiocy by Legion303 · · Score: 1

    The current (well, for me, since I'm in the US) issue of Computer Music has an interview with Roni Size, who mentions that he just threw out a ton of his CDs after ripping them to his hard drive. According to the linked article above, Norway is considering this law to bring the country into line with the rest of the EU. Does this mean Roni Size is a criminal for daring to rip his own legally-purchased CDs?

  59. You have lost your way. by alexo · · Score: 3, Insightful


    People seem to forget that the main reason to have copyright & patent laws is to benefit society as a whole by enriching the public domain.

    The reasoning goes something like this: if every invention and creation is free for grabs, nobody would invest in the creative process, so let's give the inventors/creators an incentive in the form of a *limited* monopoly on implementing and distributing their invention/creation.

    Keep in mind that the protection is not an end in itself but only a means to the real end. Therefore, we must be careful not to let it outweigh the public benefit.

    Does the society, really *need* protection duration of creator life + 70 years? Would the creative process stop if we limit it so something reasonable, like 10 years?

    Does the society, really *need* broad patents that claim everything under the sun, or patenting of ideas (as opposed to implementations) or mathematical formulas? Remember what Newton said about standing on the shoulders of giants and consider what good does it do to the public if a person or organization can hold all R&D in a certain field hostage until it no longer relevant?

    The creators and inventors should be able to make a decent living from the application of their talents, we should guarantee them nothing more.

    When a brilliant physician stops healing, the flow of money stops - even if the patients whose life they may have saved continue living and enjoying their health!

    When a brilliant teacher stops teaching, the flow of money stops - even if his students continue to rip the rewards of their excellent education.

    Currently, the legislators are preocupied with enriching the "intellectual property" owners at the expense of fair use. This is a sham. Intellectual "property" is nothing more than a racket. When there is a conflict between the wants of the society and the wants of the IP holders, the public interest should always take precedence.

    Think about it.

    Do something about it.

    Convince 10 other people to do something about it.

    Convince them to repeat the process.

    Start an avalanche. Nothing less will cure the system.

    1. Re:You have lost your way. by Alsee · · Score: 1

      Convince 10 other people to do something about it.

      But what if they don't both know binary?

      Sorry, for some reason that stuck in my brain and I just couldn't resist :D
      Good post BTW.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    2. Re:You have lost your way. by alexo · · Score: 1

      > Convince 10 other people to do something about it.
      >
      > But what if they don't both know binary?


      As you know, there are 10 kinds of people.
      Those that know binary and those that don't.

  60. ok let's see... by bani · · Score: 1

    ... students go to prison for years for stealing a few thousand dollars of warez. ... riaa convicted of price fixing, stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from consumers, and they get a slap on the wrist.

    shouldnt the equivalent punishment for the riaa CEOs be something like multiple life terms in prison?

  61. Uh +5 WTF? by Kjella · · Score: 1

    It has nothing to do with mp3. Basicly they pretty much outlawed 99% of the legal uses of a portable music player. If it is illegal to rip from CD to play there, what the hell. You're already a criminal. Download it instead. That'll only bring the crime rate from 99,9% to 99,999%.

    Kjella

    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
  62. Re:ISOs for all by jefe7777 · · Score: 1

    wonderful. iPod ISO edition. beautiful. that's just beautiful.

  63. Re:Illegal mp3 ripping? Are they nuts? by Jarlsberg · · Score: 1
    *** "The Norwegian government has shown a broad vision that is unique in Europe," said the group's secretary general Per Morten Hoff. He praised the law for recognizing the industry's right to protect copyrighted material. ***

    Vision that is unique? LOL! With the currently changing markets for music formats - no one wants a portable cd player any more, everyone wants a portable mp3/wmv player - Norway's vision is ensuring either their population breaks the law, or sales of music cd's will plummet.

    Per Morten Hoff is a lap dog for the software industry, and has been so for decades. You can't take anything he says seriously.

    Man, this whole thing just ticks me off. It's just patethic. I hope the law makers will back off and take Gisle Hannemyr's wisdom to heart.

  64. What's even more sad.. by Kjella · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...is that these kinds of directives are impossible to fight. Look at the date for the InfoSoc directive. 2001. Yes, four years ago. Yet we have no choice but to implement it, except for a highly theoretical veto right (from not being in the EU, only EUs lap dog).

    What can public pressure do? Implemented by 2005. Uproar by 2006. New proposal to EU in 2008. New directive in 2010. New law in 2015. Try keeping the public's attention for ten years while playing the ladder game with the corporations. They'll slide you right back to square one when people aren't looking.

    Kjella

    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    1. Re:What's even more sad.. by Husgaard · · Score: 2, Informative
      ...is that these kinds of directives are impossible to fight. Look at the date for the InfoSoc directive. 2001. Yes, four years ago. Yet we have no choice but to implement it, except for a highly theoretical veto right (from not being in the EU, only EUs lap dog).
      It probably doesn't help you much, but: I am from Denmark and although we are full EU members, our influence on this directive was effectively zero.
      What can public pressure do? Implemented by 2005. Uproar by 2006. New proposal to EU in 2008. New directive in 2010. New law in 2015. Try keeping the public's attention for ten years while playing the ladder game with the corporations. They'll slide you right back to square one when people aren't looking.
      Public pressure can do something about how the directive is implemented in your local law. There are a lot of contradictions in the directive text making it possible to do a "light" implementation in your local law implementation of it.

      When the directive was about to be implemented in Denmark, I spent some time studying the directive and the proposed danish law change. After I proposed an amendment to the proposed law change (in danish). There was some critique of this, and after some discussion I sent out a revised proposal for an amendment to the proposed law change (in danish).

      My revised proposal fully implemented the directive, but would make it legal to:

      1. Talk about how copy protections can be broken.
      2. Publicize the source code for programs that break copy protections.
      3. Compile and use programs that break copy protections, if done non-commercially and the purpose is either:
        • Fair use of the protected contents.
        • Viewing the protected contents on computer systems not having an approved viewer, if such viewing would be legal on other computer systems.
        • Getting access to contents where the copyright protection has expired.

      I think this proposal worried our government, because the day after I sent out the revised proposal for an amendment to the proposed law change, our government sent out a press release saying "The law has to be interpreted so that it is legal to circumvent copy protections that makes it hard to use a legally purchased protected works on for example a Linux computer".

      The law text itself was not changed, but the law notes that tell how the law must be interpreted was. The result is that I now legally can view DVDs on my PC, and that would not have been legal without this public pressure.

      If you are interested in trying to change the norwegian implementation of InfoSoc, I think you will find a lot of inspiration in the two proposed amendments I have linked to above.

  65. and others ? by zouhairy · · Score: 1

    What about mpc, ogg, ape, flac .....etc

    they gonna make laws for them too ???

  66. Re:So in other words by mcc · · Score: 1

    I can only hope that whoever moderated me "insightful" saw the sarcasm where you did not.

  67. Can't catch the real criminals? by SenorChuck · · Score: 1

    What's the deal here? Are governments throwing up their hands and telling us that they can't catch people doing hard crime? Is this just another ploy to make everyone a criminal?

    Here's a nice editorial piece written almost two years ago (US-centric, but still applicable I think):
    http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/5/7/ 121215.shtml

    Perhaps governments feel that they do not have sufficient control over their peoples..

    --
    A wise person makes his own decisions, a weak one obeys public opinion. -- Chinese proverb
  68. The War is over and it ended years ago... by n54 · · Score: 1

    ...it ended when the companies turned against their consumers as I'm sure we all know.

    Lots of excellent posts already but I just want to get this off my chest.

    The only thing that is going on is low-intensity mopping up operations (i.e. the time it takes the kids to start using the new tricks to evade the "law").

    Welcome to the first real cultural revolution imo.

    Slightly OffT:
    1. I am a Norwegian
    2. Gisle is a super cool guy, really, I've met him in person a few times. On the funny side he's like a hybrid of Linus and Richard imnsho hehe j/k (just image that, please hehe)

    Totally OnT:
    The law is a total sham. In a democracy any law derives its legitamacy from being supported by the majority of the people. One single filesharing protocol (torrents) is accounting for something close to a third of the total net traffic globally (and I'm willing to bet this number is closer to 50% in Norway because of the proliferation/density of DSL connections) and adding countless other protocols it's reasonable to think that at least 70% of all norwegians do some sort of filesharing of illegal files... Gisle is right. And as far as the law is concerned the norwegian population has rejected it in practice a long time ago. Actions speak louder than words.

    Actually Gisle's statement about a nation of lawbreakers is already fulfilled. The present norwegian "åndsverklov" (copyright law) states that it is illegal to upload files you do not own the right for, something which would inclue using bittorrents as you're both downloading and uploading (unless leeching). Does it matter? No! The law is not being enforced and will not be enforced - ever!

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    this comment is provided "as is" and without any express or implied legibility or congruity [...]
  69. Re:No surprise there by n54 · · Score: 1

    Hey know what? I'm gonna vote for Frp and strangely I'm neither rasist, crypto-fascistoid, or elitist - I'm opposed to all of those and in addition the "freedoms" (sarcasm) of socialism/communism and the increased power to the state you will be voting for.

    Anyway I'm just replying to tell you that when anyone starts making small boxes with obnoxious labels to cram other people into just so they can survive whatever limited black and white world they live in they tend to box themselves in instead... and feel free to discover that people are more than whatever political opinions they hold.

    Det er ett godt tips, håper du tar det :)

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    this comment is provided "as is" and without any express or implied legibility or congruity [...]
  70. Re:lol no by IWannaBeAnAC · · Score: 1
    Well, it certainly hasn't always been "copyright", it would have been either "copy right" or "copy-right".

    I was thinking that one of the early laws (around the time of the Statute of Anne) referred to "copywrite" or maybe "copy-write". But I was probably mistaken, the reference I was thinking of refers to "copy-right".

  71. AES Transfer? by Octatonic · · Score: 1

    What if you were to do a transfer via an sp/dif or AES digital cable to uncompressed wav/aiff format and then compress it yourself? JR

  72. Heh by amphibian · · Score: 1

    Maybe I should move there. Here, it's illegal to rip your own non-protected CDs. :(

  73. Re:No surprise there by n54 · · Score: 1
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    this comment is provided "as is" and without any express or implied legibility or congruity [...]
  74. Re:Illegal mp3 ripping? Are they nuts? by Alsee · · Score: 1
    everyone wants a portable mp3/wmv player

    ::Blink::

    ::Blink:Blink:Blink::

    Who the hell wants a portable wmv player??

    -

    --
    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  75. Re:No surprise there by thePjunisher · · Score: 1

    Du har rett. Sorry. Jeg kjenner flere som stemmer frp. Jeg er dum :-(

  76. They should fix the law makers first... by ninejaguar · · Score: 1
    The new proposal would allow fines and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for violating copyrights and engaging in computer piracy.

    Here's a long term solution. Governments should all pass just one law this year. Let's call it MISTUPID, and it should apply to punitive laws. If future punitive laws are discovered to be unconstitutional, or are repealed, then MISTUPID would state that the penalties given in those laws will automatically be applied to those who wrote them, and those who lobbied for them.

    I wonder how many stupid laws would be passed after MISTUPID came into force.

    = 9J =

  77. Re:No surprise there by n54 · · Score: 1

    Den er grei, vi slenger med leppa alle sammen iblant :)

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  78. Re:Law makers? Or stand up comics? by vidarlo · · Score: 1

    Ahh that's classic. Who knew an mp3 player wasn't appropriate for playing music.
    And here lies the entire problem. I don't buy music anymore, it seems I buy the medium for the music. This menas I can't have backup of my _music_, since I bought a cd... In my opinion, *any* music player should be considered relevant for music, as long as I've bought the music. Sure, I'd accept that while I was using my MP3-player, I had to ensure noone was playing the cd, or atleast that the cd was in my possession, so noone else could play it at the same time. And as the times are changing, why would I want to carry a piece of 20 year old technology taking up a lot of space to play 70 lousy minuts of audio, when I can have 700 minutes in my pocket, only with minor quality degration? This is simply forcing people to use old technology... And they won't reach anywhere with it. People will continue to use MP3players, and my guess is that this will be socially accepted, and also that the cops/TONO (Tono == RIAA) won't really care as long as I don't have pirated content on it...

  79. Re:No surprise there by whatshisname · · Score: 1

    Forskjellen (som ikke blir nevnt i ordboken du linket til) er bruksmåten. "Ett" (to t-er) er med trykk på antallet, dvs "ett" = "ikke to, ikke tre"...

    --
    Don't question authority -- it doesn't know either.
  80. Re:No surprise there by n54 · · Score: 1

    I linken til ordet ett kan du lese:
    "ett tallord, se I en ."
    Og som jeg sa:
    "Begge er korrekte; man kan ha både "ett råd" (antall, slik jeg men vilje skrev) og "et råd" (artikkel)."

    Kom igjen, korriger heller at jeg skrev "men" istedenfor "med". Du passer ihvertfall godt inn her på slashdot siden du 1. ikke leser/forstår hva andre skriver 2. ikke leser/forstår linkene :)

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    this comment is provided "as is" and without any express or implied legibility or congruity [...]