Slashdot Mirror
MPAA Goes After Home Entertainment Systems
philba writes to tell us that home theaters may become the new jurisdiction of our MPAA overlords. The MPAA is lobbying to make sure that home users authorize their entertainment systems before any in-home viewings. From the article: "The MPAA defines a home theater as any home with a television larger than 29" with stereo sound and at least two comfortable chairs, couch, or futon. Anyone with a home theater would need to pay a $50 registration fee with the MPAA or face fines up to $500,000 per movie shown."
Come on... folks... when you get this quick to outrage it just makes YOU look silly...
That some people don't get the joke or that I can understand well why they don't.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
There is something that's worse than the MPAA regulating home theaters. And that's Slashdot posting a link to an obvious satire piece and a great many of its readers (and possibly a certain editor) not having the intelligence to realize that its satire.
P.T. Barnum was right.
I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
Actually the funny thing is, that those ads probably are one of the major factors why moviegoer numbers are steeply declining. First of all there are the ads, then the insults and then the trailers. I guess the insults pushed it over the top for many. If I look into my own surrounding, there used to be a lot of people who went to the theatre once a week. Nowadays it is only twice per year, and it basically was due to the ads, and the insults. I recently went with them into a movie, after 10 minutes of constant ads we were close to walking out, the following piracy insult basically did it to ruin the experience entirely! Needless to say, no theatre visit anymore for the following months by anyone of us!
Same here. I find it amusing that they're giving this Anti-Piracy shit to the people who've either bought their DVD or are watching their movie in the cinema... I've already paid for your shit! Leave me alone!
On the other hand I could download a ripped copy (for free), with no ads what-so-ever and watch it on my computer without having to arse around. Hrm... it makes me want to pirate more just to show them that their little advertisement scheme isn't fucking working.
if someone does a movie parody , I'd love to see a fake add that says
"you wouldn't doctor your books to get zero profit as a tax dodge"
"you wouldn't offer unsuspecting people the chance of a percentage of non-existant profits"
and so on.
Thing is, when you say "they want $50 for any home theater system," I got the image (to borrow from Robin Williams) of two guys with the middle name "the" showing up at my place and knocking on my door (like "Jimmy the Fish" or "Johnny the Shark"). Because let's face it - the *IAA is just the new Mob, specializing in extortion using the legal system, whose lawyers should have the middle name "the".
I talk about stuff.
The problem with satirical articles about the MPAA is that they have to get well beyond the realms of reality before they stop being believable.
Don't forget that here in the UK we have TV licensing. Home Theatre licensing isn't so far fetched from that.
Satire? Looks like they're just giving the MPAA more great ideas... We're doomed!
Yes, it's satire. But that fact that no one would be at all surprised if the MPAA was really being that retarded speaks volumes about them.
I have an issue with "dirty work" organizations. Microsoft and other companies don't want to get their hands dirty suing customers so they fund the BSA. Record labels don't want their name on enforcement actions so they fund RIAA. One of the best things Congress could do for the consumer is strip away the ability of companies to hide behind their mafia inspired enforcement organizations. I don't think it would stop Sony from suing people for using file sharing software but it at least they take the PR hit for doing it.
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
GreyPoopon
--
Why is it I can write insightful comments but can't come up with a clever signature?
When I realized that this article was from BBSpot, I didn't know whether to laugh or be relieved...and that's a frightening thought.
Seriously. We have to do something about these media cartels before articles like this stop being satire.
Modern copyright is theft of culture from everyone and it retards the progress of the useful arts and sciences.
*cough* TV licenses in the UK*cough*