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International Music Industry Amps Up Anti-P2P War
newtley writes to mention a BBC article discussing a new initiative against file-sharers by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. This international version of the MPAA is breathing down the necks of 8,000 users of file-sharing software. From the article: "The new cases cover file sharers in 17 different countries who have been allegedly using sites including BitTorrent, eDonkey, SoulSeek and WinMX. For the first time legal action is being taken in Brazil, Mexico and Poland. The IFPI said the actions affect a wide-variety of people: a laboratory assistant has been charged in Finland, while a parson has been served with action in Germany."
Morality, perhaps? Do you just want your favourite artists to live on pity handouts or something? You'll download their work, which they've put blood, sweat and tears into, but maybe if you deign to give them payment, they can eat this week. And when does that happen?
Musicians aren't your personal entertainment monkeys, you know.
By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --
"I agree with this being a good idea, but you are missing the point. Not everybody can do this, or is willing to, and even if that were the case the point at hand is quite different.
Nobody should be forced to boycott the music industry because that just means that we are reinforcing the authority the RIAA claim to have over our lives. DRM is not something I will succumb to, even if it means I have to download torrents instead of buying my music at the store. We are supposedly citizens that have a right to decide the laws which govern private industries in the "free" world. We should not have to hide in caves and abandon our entertainment for something unconstitutional."
I am not missing the point. Anybody can do this (what did people do for entertainment up until 60-70 years ago?), and if they're not willing, then they shouldn't be complaining. It's that simple. Remember the old saying, if you don't vote, don't complain? If you're not willing to make a personal effort to change your own habits to reject something you oppose, then stop complaining.
If you download torrents, then you are empowering the industry which you say you oppose. You make them and their product relevant and important. It is that simple. Nobody has to hide in a cave or abandon entertainment; the suggestion that people would have to give up entertainment, that perhaps Disney-tainment is the only option available, is small-minded and naive.
If you're not willing to give up something as relatively insignificant as pop-culture product, and not willing to alter your product consumption habits, then what are you willing to do to stop this unconstitutional behaviour you oppose so much? How much pain or discomfort are you willing to endure to stand up for what you believe is right?
RTFM; please, I beg you.