Regarding the RIAA press release on the anti-terrorism bill, unfortunately, the RIAA deserves the negative sentiment that they get. Further, they deserve the intense scrutiny that they now get whenever they decide to try to lobby for anything politically.
The reason why is alluded to in their very own press release. In the conclusion, they castigate the ones who have blamed them for "something that they haven't done", saying that they are willing to answer for activities that they _have_ done. Do they believe that their "work for hire" provision has been forgotten? This scrutiny is a direct result of that. In this very press release they hint at "technical measures" that they are about to take, but don't mention anything specifically.
Well, those who intelligently follow the news, especially news related to this, can read between the lines. Those that are technically savvy, probably their largest critics, understand what those provisions really mean. Those same critics are also the ones who understand best why this is such an important time to oppose legislation that they are trying to add: Anything with the name "Terrorism" on it is legislation that can pass without any debate. Debate is sorely needed, especially with provisions that the RIAA adds, as shown by their prior actions, ones that they claim are "fair game".
There is a simple way to explain why the RIAA is being vilified for something "They haven't done." Those that watch them carefully, the musicians groups and privacy groups who have been so sorely harmed by their greed in the past (specifically shown by the "work for hire" provisions) are not going to just react, as they have before, they will act. They will stop them beforehand because they understand what their moves really mean.
The RIAA seems to believe that these groups do not understand the aporism "Cheat me once, shame on you, Cheat me twice, shame on me." Do you think that they'll pull their finger again? Not this time.
Slashdot Mirror
An open letter to the RIAA.
Regarding the RIAA press release on the anti-terrorism bill, unfortunately, the RIAA deserves the negative sentiment that they get. Further, they deserve the intense scrutiny that they now get whenever they decide to try to lobby for anything politically.
The reason why is alluded to in their very own press release. In the conclusion, they castigate the ones who have blamed them for "something that they haven't done", saying that they are willing to answer for activities that they _have_ done. Do they believe that their "work for hire" provision has been forgotten? This scrutiny is a direct result of that. In this very press release they hint at "technical measures" that they are about to take, but don't mention anything specifically.
Well, those who intelligently follow the news, especially news related to this, can read between the lines. Those that are technically savvy, probably their largest critics, understand what those provisions really mean. Those same critics are also the ones who understand best why this is such an important time to oppose legislation that they are trying to add: Anything with the name "Terrorism" on it is legislation that can pass without any debate. Debate is sorely needed, especially with provisions that the RIAA adds, as shown by their prior actions, ones that they claim are "fair game".
There is a simple way to explain why the RIAA is being vilified for something "They haven't done." Those that watch them carefully, the musicians groups and privacy groups who have been so sorely harmed by their greed in the past (specifically shown by the "work for hire" provisions) are not going to just react, as they have before, they will act. They will stop them beforehand because they understand what their moves really mean.
The RIAA seems to believe that these groups do not understand the aporism "Cheat me once, shame on you, Cheat me twice, shame on me." Do you think that they'll pull their finger again? Not this time.