A monthly fee + 2-4 bukcs for a movie is still more expensive than renting, or even using netflix. I really don't see the point of even coming out with this and them expecting to make any profit.
As to your call for us to suspend the service, I would respectfully suggest that it would be premature to decide on any course of action until we first have had an opportunity to collect and review the available data
It could be argued that they should've done the same before implementing the 'service'
And you've got to be a bulk user, something like 10000 minimum disks. Which of course excludes the actual users of the media; so in essence, this 'rebate' is nothing but bullshit from the Copyright Board of Canada.
"While hardware vendors whine about the levy, consumers seem fairly indifferent"
Says who?!?? There's plenty of people that are opposing this, not just manufacturers: here and and here, there's plenty more. Plus I've sent letters to whatever MP I could contact.
It's had some effect, since the 'new' rates were supposed to be introduced in Jan 2003.
We do check the existance of domains before attempting to send out mails with our systems; if these don't fail the message gets sent, that means that much more bandwidth on our servers, the internet (bounced messages, etc...), and more of a headache than anything.
Guess I can start charging Verisign for all that extra bandwidth they're gonna generate.
"I believe this could be considered discrimination"
I don't believe so. Though I don't have the 'official' definition of the word, I believe it's meant more in regards of not accepting someone because of their religion, sex, race or disabilities.
What you've done in the past (ie. prison, drugs, volonteer work, etc...) or where you've worked doesn't fall into this category.
Is this anything like the 'paperless society' predictions of yesteryears?
While it's fine and dandy to have bits flowing around, they're not permanent, and you need some kind of redundancy if you don't want to lose your data.
The fact that sales of stuff won't be made through physical media doesn't mean the end of it.
That's probably the card they're holding; right now they just want to see if MS can come up with the missing messages; if it doesn't, they can use the fact that they won't provide the requested evidence plus whatever they've already got against them.
Mostly setting up the stage for a powerplay for the jury
Slashdot Mirror
and another one!
And yes, I like to wait in line.
It could be argued that they should've done the same before implementing the 'service'
...but right on target; procrastination never solves anything.
Nor doing it as an AC
These kinds of statements always make me think of this scenario:
Guy: dude, we're gonna be late, let go!
Driver: yeah, but I need gas. Gas is high today; it should go down tomorrow, I'll buy it then and then we can go
Guy:
Driver: I know, I know; but gas is too much! I'll save more if I wait and buy it tomorrow!
....
Says who?!?? There's plenty of people that are opposing this, not just manufacturers: here and and here, there's plenty more. Plus I've sent letters to whatever MP I could contact.
It's had some effect, since the 'new' rates were supposed to be introduced in Jan 2003.
I'm hardly 'indifferent' about it!
Guess I can start charging Verisign for all that extra bandwidth they're gonna generate.
I don't believe so. Though I don't have the 'official' definition of the word, I believe it's meant more in regards of not accepting someone because of their religion, sex, race or disabilities.
What you've done in the past (ie. prison, drugs, volonteer work, etc...) or where you've worked doesn't fall into this category.
apparently he agrees with a business that cripples competition and innovation by patenting a method to rent DVDs
While it's fine and dandy to have bits flowing around, they're not permanent, and you need some kind of redundancy if you don't want to lose your data.
The fact that sales of stuff won't be made through physical media doesn't mean the end of it.
Fine then, the judge, whatever.
Mostly setting up the stage for a powerplay for the jury