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RIAA Goes After CNET For Media-Conversion Software
First time accepted submitter moj0joj0 writes "Two days after YouTube-MP3.org, a site that converts songs from music videos into MP3 files, was blocked from accessing YouTube, the RIAA has asked CNET to remove software from Download.com that performs a similar function. The RIAA focused its criticism on software found at Download.com called YouTubeDownloader. The organization also pointed out that there are many other similar applications available at the site, 'which can be used to steal content from CBS, which owns Download.com.' CNET's policy is that Download.com is not in any position to determine whether a piece of software is legal or not or whether it can be used for illegal activity." For a sufficiently broad definition of "steal," you could argue that all kinds of software (from word processors to graphics programs to security analysis tools) could be implicated.
Not many people outside the nerd universe know what the RIAA is.
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And if you wanted to download the video of some guy making his cat do tricks?
The logical next step for the RIAA is to block the use and sale of speakers.
it's a trick question. drawing any kind of line would be a declaration of their limits, and therefore an expression of some kind of ethics. clearly they have none, limits or ethics.
insensitive clod overlords obligatory xkcd car analogy russian reversals whoosh pedant fanbois ftfy in 3...2...1..PROFIT
They can't and won't draw you a line. Drawing a line would state that, at some point in history, nothing beyond the current technology could do us more or less harm. That is exactly what they don't to have happen. By keeping their position grey, and constantly venting that new tech. is further depriving them profits, they can't be held to any single position of appeasement.
With this new found argument of 'site scripts' for conversion or 'track grabbing', they might as well say wget and the entire TCP/IP stack should be illegal as well.
There will never be a withdrawal of attack from the likes of the **AA's and everyone here knows it. If they had their way, you'd have to pay for every time you heard a song, whether intended or not, and every time you saw a movie or movie clip. And likely, if you commented on either online, you'd have to pay them to have it ok'd to be put on the web. That is the absurd length they would go to, to protect their outdated business model, despite hollywood accouting, and artist royalty strong-arming. To add insult to injury, they'd also want an ISP tax in place in so that even if people don't copyright content, they'd still get a cushioned share on the chance that they can't catch you.
In short, FUCK THE RIAA and MPAA! From now, till forever!
Though I guess you could argue said program is no different than a VCR (which the SCOTUS ruled can legally capture video and store it).
...which is likely why the RIAA is asking and whining, instead of issuing takedown notices and sending official threats of litigation.
The absolute last thing they'd ever want is for a case like this to end up making video/audio ripping off a stream the equivalent of using a VCR to tape a show.
Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
The RIAA members should stop uploading of any content to YouTube which they do not wish to be copied.
Well if you switch that to MPAA they have. It's called DisplayPort.
Two of my imaginary friends reproduced once
The problem with boycotting is you have to get a vast majority of consumers to go along with it and most people just don't care enough to go through with it. I do, you do and most of /. prolly does but talk to Joe Plumber or Nacho Roofer about DRM and they'll think you're talking about some sort of VD...nevermind the teenagers (RIAA's ever-so-loyal fanbase) who would look at you like you're stupid and continue to buy anyways.
Bingo. They've overstepped their jurisdiction, and need to be placed back in their box.
The RIAA doesn't have any jurisdiction. They're basically a gang like the bloods or the crips with a different agenda and larger bankroll.
There are FF add-ons to do just that... MANY of them, just open the add-ons manager and search "video".
You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
Nonsense. The RIAA has often stated that it represents the copyright interests of signed artists to its group member; now, many people have pointed out that this is false, but from a quasi-political / legal aspect, we prefer the guillotine's blade to be nice and sharp before offing a tyrant.
The RIAA has, for a time, had a semi-legitimate case, but has seen to not 'get with the times,' preferring an outdated business model that promotes the very problem it seeks to resolve through legislation. What more, it's continued advances into other, protected sectors is angering a great many people (both at the top, and closer to the middle). Now, the people who have count themselves as friends of the RIAA will remain as such, provided they continue to be furnished with the appropriate bribes; but there will come a time when this will end, as all things must, and the populace will be left with nothing but a devastated legal landscape. At its heart, the RIAA is a paranoid baker, who bids his customers to eat their bread in his kitchen, where he can ensure not a crumb escapes to the outside world; customers are required to sign a lengthy legal document, entreating them not to share their bread with anyone else; special precautions, such as searching his customer's persons to prevent them sneaking off with a loaf, and a search of all nearby bakeries, whose bread is confiscated if it is deemed too similar to his own; finally, for fear of his customers and non-customers alike, enjoying their grainy treats in the quiet of their homes, he proposes to search them on demand as well.
Cooks have long dealt with issues of recipes (copyright) for centuries.
I am John Hurt.
Don't these dorks know there is not much difference between streaming and downloading.
Ads. Data caps. Access restriction. Post-upload revisions. Censorship. If you can equate streaming to downloading, you can equate licensing to ownership.
That is why we need to call them what they are, just as they think they can turn copyright infringement into theft we need to label them with a name that denotes their true purpose....Leeches. that is ALL that they are, they are the middle men, bleeding the consumer AND the artist of every Shekel they can, wanting to destroy one of the most powerful free communication systems in world history for their own gain, leeches.
Jim Sterling at Zero Punctuation has a nice rant and while his is mainly about games the sentiment is the same, its leeches pushing draconian crap like SOPA and PIPA and its all about control, so they can leech.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.