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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.
Don't these dorks know there is not much difference between streaming and downloading.
RIAA has asked Unix vendors to remove the 'cp' command since it can be used to make illegal copies of music software.
They can take my LifeAlert pendant when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.
I'd like to know where the RIAA/MPAA draw the line. Does skipping ads on radio and TV count as theft? How about just channel surfing during the ad-break, or getting up and making some coffee? Or just hitting "mute"?
Does remembering a song in my head count as ripping them off if I don't also own the CD? If I go to a friend's house is it wrong to listen to or borrow their CDs and DVDs, or watch their cable TV?
I can buy a portable DVD player and take my discs with me. How is it any different if I rip the discs to watch on my phone or laptop. If I own a DVD but can't be bothered to rip it to my phone is it okay to download a .torrent version? The MPAA's members put all sorts of DRM crap on the disc to make ripping harder, making the download more attractive.
If I buy a DRM locked song and the seller turns off their DRM servers so I can't play it any more is downloading an MP3 from The Pirate Bay morally acceptable?
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
Holy shit. How much software can NOT be used for illegal activity?
$ ls /usr/bin /bin /usr/local/bin | wc -l
2695
Betting all of that could be "used for illegal activity". Never mind that there are maybe half a dozen media format conversion tools in that list, but check THIS out - there's a tool called g++. With it, I can CREATE tools that could be used for illegal activity, such as media format conversion. It's a meta-illegal tool. Man... posting anonymously, so they don't come after me.
Fuck You.
Shoes for Industry. Shoes for the Dead.
And if you wanted to download the video of some guy making his cat do tricks?
I've always hated theft. It is one of the 10 commandments. I grew up learning to hate it because people stole from me. When someone steals your bike, your wallet, or other personal possessions, it hurts. You are now deprived of it, while someone else is selling it for $10 of crack. Stealing hurts innocent people. I continue to hate stealing.
But, if I paint my bike blue, and my next door neighbor, seeing that, paints his bike blue, he didn't steal my bike. I can call him a "copy cat". But, I still get to ride my bike. I just won't be the only one on the block with a blue bike.
Yes, we all know the theory of lost sales. But, we all know that copying information does not mean that the person would of purchased that copy of that information if they had not of copied it against the will of someone claiming ownership of that information.
Thus, I lose respect for anyone who tries to insist that copying information is a violation of the 10 commands along with "though shall not kill" and "though shell not commit adultery". Our laws do not support that claim, and we should do more to discredit those who make it.
Don't get me wrong. I do not advocate copyright infringement. I am just tired of hearing people try to confuse people into thinking that copying information is hurting people like stealing real physical property does and is a violation of one of the 10 commandments.
Open Standards Portal
I'm a Youtube content creator. I want people to download and share my Youtube content. Does this mean my right to share stuff should be trumped by a vague notion of piracy?
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?
>RIAA, would you like to sue Microsoft for having software that ships in Windows that can record audio-out and save it to a wav/mp3 file?
The RIAA will not be satisfied until they successfully make illegal 3.5mm stereo patch cords that can go from audio-out to audio-in.
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BMO
Hello Pot, meet Barbra Streisand.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
The RIAA members should stop uploading of any content to YouTube which they do not wish to be copied.
You probably gave up your rights when you uploaded the content. Doesn't matter what you want (sadly).
Au contraire...
http://www.youtube.com/t/creative_commons
I tried to explain it to a friend (a digital neophyte) and he said.. "Well they got to make money too...."
I explained it to my 84 year old father and he said "Hail Hitler!"
He got it..
I don't get the anger.
we have the representatives they have selected for us. and there are products they have released for us to consume, plus even given us a few ways to consume them.
I think we should just trust our corporations since they could not have gotton as far as they have if they didn't know what was best for us.
--
"It is now safe to switch off your computer."
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.