I'm glad to here a mature admission like that and wish you all the success in the world in your music. I truly believe that with the efforts of sites like mp3.com and others that the music industry will take a different path. New and unsigned artists now have an opportunity to have their music heard by those who would never have had an opportunity to be exposed to their music before. Record labels can now scout for new talent without leaving their office and many struggling musicians will have their hard work pay off through this kind of exposure. There is plenty of room for a legitamate use of the mp3 format, other than for piracy (I own a fair collection of these myself I must admit) and I applaud the efforts of mp3.com to make this happen. I happily enjoy listening to original artists off of this site and would love to give my money to someone who hasn't signed away their soul yet for multinational rock tours, mtv, movies, etc...
I encourage everyone to email the Vice President on this issue. Consumer advocacy on the internet is real and can work to right wrongs. Here is the letter I emailed to them expressing my disgust. The/. effect shall prevail!
Christopher J. Reese Vice President and General Counsel of SightSound
Today I read your letter that you faxed and mailed to the President of MP3.com concerning your "patent". I must admit that every bone in my body shuttered when I read your letter. The idea that you can patent a "concept" is disturbing. Ignoring the fact that what you have patented has been going on for years, the wording on the patent is intentionally vague so that it can encompass many technologies. This is immoral and unethical and implies you wish to receive monetary gain on technologies you had no hand in inventing or producing nor have any right in collecting. The new technology of voice over IP can loosely fall under your patent. Do you wish to tussle in court with the likes of AT&T, Sprint, and MCI Worldcom? Your claim is ludicrous and frivolous and will not stand up in court and I will actively encourage any company to countersue. The internet has become a wonderful tool for the global community, both socially and economically, but when the likes of your company attempt to infringe on the rights of others for monetary gain, then you must be stopped at all costs.
Please be advised that I will notify the patent office so that they will review your patent and its legitimacy. I will also forward your letter to the Attorney General's office of your state for review. Be aware that the internet also has a very large consumer advocacy following that can greatly hurt your business through boycott and word of mouth (or email).
Incidentally, MP3.com does not sell mp3 music online, rather they sell compact disks. Before you attempt to extort money from someone, you might want to ensure that they are actually infringing on your spurious "patent".
Slashdot Mirror
I'm glad to here a mature admission like that and wish you all the success in the world in your music. I truly believe that with the efforts of sites like mp3.com and others that the music industry will take a different path. New and unsigned artists now have an opportunity to have their music heard by those who would never have had an opportunity to be exposed to their music before. Record labels can now scout for new talent without leaving their office and many struggling musicians will have their hard work pay off through this kind of exposure. There is plenty of room for a legitamate use of the mp3 format, other than for piracy (I own a fair collection of these myself I must admit) and I applaud the efforts of mp3.com to make this happen. I happily enjoy listening to original artists off of this site and would love to give my money to someone who hasn't signed away their soul yet for multinational rock tours, mtv, movies, etc...
Keep the faith!
I encourage everyone to email the Vice President on this issue. Consumer advocacy on the internet is real and can work to right wrongs. Here is the letter I emailed to them expressing my disgust. The /. effect shall prevail!
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Christopher J. Reese
Vice President and General Counsel of SightSound
Today I read your letter that you faxed and mailed to the President of MP3.com concerning your "patent". I must admit that every bone in my body shuttered when I read your letter. The idea that you can patent a "concept" is disturbing. Ignoring the fact that what you have patented has been going on for years, the wording on the patent is intentionally vague so that it can encompass many technologies. This is immoral and unethical and implies you wish to receive monetary gain on technologies you had no hand in inventing or producing nor have any right in collecting. The new technology of voice over IP can loosely fall under your patent. Do you wish to tussle in court with the likes of AT&T, Sprint, and MCI Worldcom? Your claim is ludicrous and frivolous and will not stand up in court and I will actively encourage any company to countersue. The internet has become a wonderful tool for the global community, both socially and economically, but when the likes of your company attempt to infringe on the rights of others for monetary gain, then you must be stopped at all costs.
Please be advised that I will notify the patent office so that they will review your patent and its legitimacy. I will also forward your letter to the Attorney General's office of your state for review. Be aware that the internet also has a very large consumer advocacy following that can greatly hurt your business through boycott and word of mouth (or email).
Incidentally, MP3.com does not sell mp3 music online, rather they sell compact disks. Before you attempt to extort money from someone, you might want to ensure that they are actually infringing on your spurious "patent".
Sincerely,
Snapper XXX