I considered that there might be disinformation here, but if their motives are true to form (bragging rights, mainly), then I doubt it. I don't they could resist bragging about their operation, though I wouldn't be surprised if names of persons, servers, etc. were falsified. This article must be great fodder for any psychological profilers out there.
I was wondering about what influence Asia would have...the article only mentioned people from the West. From a purely macroeconomic perspective, those countries (where people are generally poorer than those in the West) wouldn't want money leaving to foreign companies if they could avoid it. As effectve as the warez kiddies seemingly are, I can't help but wonder what the effect would be from a concerted effort by either Asian businesses or governments -- on both the content industries and the Western warez kiddies. Of course, it would take a special breed of corrupt officials in a country to actually condone actively participating in this kind of endeavor, but on the other hand I can only wonder what they might conclude from a purely cold-blooded macroeconomic analysis. If I was in the content industry, I think that Asia's influence would scare me infinitely more than a breed of what are essentially hobbyists.
Okay, maybe I'm missing something, but I don't get something here. The last three movies I went to see in the theater over the past few years are the Lord of the Rings movies (yes, I even skipped Attack of the Clones). Granted, (and this is purely my opinion) there are a (very) few other decent movies out there, but why on earth are people going to all the trouble and risk of pirating them? I mean come on, the vast majority of Hollywood's annual releases for the past few years have been complete garbage. Not only wouldn't I pirate them, I wouldn't even tape or otherwise capture them when they showed on cable!
This raises another point: if people are pirating movies, I have to assume that they aren't filling their hard drives ad infinitum with them, but are either watching and deleting them or are burning them to CD or DVD. You know, if a movie is too sucky to buy or rent but is worth keeping for that one time in your life that you might feel like watching it (like on those Sunday nights at 1am when it's either that sucky movie or what stands for TV fare), a WinTV capture card does wonders. Don't these people have cable or satellite? It might not be letterbox, but we are talking about unmitigated garbage, after all.
Warning to Hollywood: I, for one, have stopped attending and renting your movies (unless Peter Jackson makes The Hobbit, for which I shall make it the sole exception -- and I thank God that LotR wasn't made in California). As far as I'm concerned, nothing else I've seen for many years now has been worth my eight bucks, and I'm no longer interested in sending good money after bad. I no longer have any confidence in you when it comes to contributing to our culture and I've started creating my own (one 600-page book writen, several more to go).
My trusty Epson Photo EX died last week (true story, I'm not making this up) and I bought the Canon i9900 specifically because the people at Canon don't seem to play these games with their customers.. Nothing in the world could comvince me to buy Lexmark and whenever someone I know has looked for an inkjet printer I've made sure to point their antics out.
I wonder...I'm still running Win2k SP2 and none of the issues come up...MS's site says they only affect SP3 and SP4. Does it mean that they're assuming everyone has SP3/4 or that SP2 is safe from all this?
Anymore, whenever I buy a DVD or CD, I make a point to buy it used, from places like Amazon. So far I'be bought several used movies that way and the quality has been all but indistinguishable from new. Just remember, every penny you put into their pockets is another penny that's available to pay their lawyers on this jihad.
Anymore I think of it this way:
- Tickets to Spider-Man 2: MONEY FOR THEIR LAWYERS.
- DVD of xxxxxxxx movie: MONEY FOR THEIR LAWYERS.
- xxxxxxx music CD: MONEY FOR THEIR LAWYERS.
And what galls me the most is that the bastards are probably laughing to themselves that we're so addicted to this stuff that we can't help but pay them to do this. Well I for one have decided, no more. NOT ONE RED CENT.
/rant on
How many of you went to see Spider-Man 2? Just how many MILLIONS OF DOLLARS did you give these bastards? You know who you are. Well, that's just wonderful, now, isn't it? Millions of dollars now in their coffers to support this jihad against fair use. I hope those two hours watching a fictional comic book hero was worth it.
/rant off
I have to admit I'm seriously considering it. I'm registered Republican and I'm in Pennsylvania which is a battleground state this year. If voting Libertarian doesn't send a message to my party to stop this nonsense then nothing will. I swear, Hatch is making me embarassed to be a Republican. I'll slit my throat before I vote for a damned Socialist like Kerry, but dammit, *something* has to be done.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of unlawful use of a computer if he, whether in person, electronically or through the intentional distribution of a computer virus:
1. accesses, exceeds authorization to access, alters, damages or destroys any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program or data base or any part thereof, with the intent: to interrupt the normal functioning of an organization or to devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud or deceive or control property or services by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises;
2. intentionally and without authorization accesses, alters, interferes with the operation of, damages or destroys any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program or computer data base or any part thereof;
3. intentionally or knowingly and without authorization gives or publishes a password, identifying code, personal identification number or other confidential information about a computer, computer system, computer network or data base.
4. intentionally or knowingly engages in a scheme or artifice, including, but not limited to, a denial of service attack, upon any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program, computer server or data base or any part thereof that is designed to block, impede or deny the access of information or initiation or completion of any sale or transaction by users of that computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program, computer server or data base or any part thereof.
(b) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the third degree. An offense under subsection (a)(2), (3) or (4) is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
"Access." To intercept, instruct, communicate with, store data in, retrieve data from or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, computer system, computer network or data base.
"Computer." An electronic, magnetic, optical, hydraulic, organic or other high speed data processing device or system which performs logic, arithmetic or memory functions and includes all input, output, processing, storage, software or communication facilities which are connected or related to the device in a system or network.
"Computer network." The interconnection of two or more computers through the usage of satellite, microwave, line or other communication medium.
"Computer program." An ordered set of instructions or statements and related data that, when automatically executed in actual or modified form in a computer system, causes it to perform specified functions.
"Computer software." A set of computer programs, procedures and associated documentation concerned with the operation of a computer system.
"Computer system." A set of related, connected or unconnected computer equipment, devices and software.
"Computer virus." A computer program copied to or installed on a computer, computer network, computer program, computer software or computer system without the informed consent of the owner of the computer, computer network, computer program, computer software or computer system that may replicate itself and that causes unauthorized activities within or by the computer, computer network, computer program, computer software or computer system.
"Data base." A representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions which are being prepared or processed or have been prepared or processed in a formalized manner and are intended for use in a computer
I hope the Honorable Sen. Hatch is listening to his constituents...because as a loyal Republican I made it a point to make sure other loyal Republicans know about the new law he's trying to get passed...and met me say definitively that they're PISSED. Companies might give him money, but WE give him the votes.
If I had more guts I'd call my uncle and ask him to do this, since he's a local politician and knows lots of judges. Someone should go to his local Justice of the Peace, pay his $50, and sue based on anti-hacking laws, asking the judge for an injunction blocking sale of this album anywhere in his state (or a fine of something like $100,000/day if the record companies defy the judge). Wouldn't it be a kick in the ass if EMI couldn't sell this piece of spywhere anywhere in, say, the entire COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA?
CD's originally included Tellurium in their composition when they first came out, and a lot of people were concerned that it would oxidize. The effect would be that CD's produced in 1981 would become unreadable in ten years or so. I'm given to understand that aluminum is now used, but I wonder what ever became of those early CD's.
That's why it's important to scare them *both*. Am I a Dem or a Rep? The polling is so close here that either party could win, and PA's electoral votes could swing the Presidential election. It would only take a few thousand votes to swing it either way. Which party is willing to take the chance that they might lose PA? I think if we sufficiently scared them both, they just might fall over themselves to do something.
I'm a Pennsylvania resident. This year, the polling between Bush and Kerry in my state couldn't be closer, and we have a lot of electoral votes. They will be fighting over my state like no other this year. I *always* vote, and until now I've always voted with the party with which I'm registered. I'm registered with one of the two major parties (I'm not saying which one because I want them *both* to squirm).
I say we start a petition in PA: unless the parties DO SOMETHING (as in *ENACT LAW*) about the current situation regarding fair use, reverse engineering, infinite copyright extension, etc. our votes are GOING TO A THIRD PARTY. It doesn't matter which one, as long as it's not one of the two major parties. Let's make our message clear: IF YOU WANT TO RETAIN OUR LOYALTY AND HAVE A SHOT AT GETTING THIS STATE, YOU WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE ELECTION DAY. I can't think of any greater kick in the political balls than this. The politicians have made it clear they don't care about us, so let's see how they respond to fear.
Sale, etc., on agreement not to use goods of competitor
It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in commerce, in the course of such commerce, to lease or make a sale or contract for sale of goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities, whether patented or unpatented, for use, consumption, or resale within the United States or any Territory thereof or the District of Columbia or any insular possession or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States, or fix a price charged therefor, or discount from, or rebate upon, such price, on the condition, agreement, or understanding that the lessee or purchaser thereof shall not use or deal in the goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities of a competitor or competitors of the lessor or seller, where the effect of such lease, sale, or contract for sale or such condition, agreement, or understanding may be to substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in any line of commerce.
They announced this on the radio this morning (yes, I live in the Philly area) and they said it would run $700 Million. There is NO WAY that Philly has this kind of dough, and I definitely don't see Harrisburg footing this (let's just say that people like me in Delaware County would fall on our swords before footing the bill for Philadelphia County's problems). It has to be (at least mostly) coming from Microsoft.
Two things to take into consideration:
The election for mayor is this year, not next year, and it's a really close race. There is a decent chance John Street might not get re-elected, and this would definitely be a feather in his cap. Not saying that this is the case here, but it's a possibility. Let's just say that if I were mayor, I'd jump at the chance for a deal like this, especially if the city isn't paying for it.
Te truth is that Microsoft *does* have an image problem. With all the security flaws and the little antitrust thing, as well as WPA and Licensing 6.0, let's just say that people aren't exactly feeling peachy about them right now. Something like this, beneficial as it definitely is to kids, is still a great PR move. I don't think it's wrong to say that there's an ulterior motive at work here. I can just see it now: "Buy Microsoft. For the children." (Yes, it's sarcastic, but don't think for a minute that Microsoft, like every company, doesn't have marketing droids).
In Philly we have a pair of jet engines directly connected to a pair of turbines, FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SEED POWER TO START OTHER SUBSTATIONS. They're reporting that NYC can't get the Queens substations up until Queens itself has power. We set up these jets to cover this eventuality back in 1977, and when *that* blackout occurred, power in Philly came right back on. Why hasn't NYC clued in on this in all this time?
There was also a power outage in Center City. I just saw the report on Channel 6. Apparently a water pipe blew in the PECO substation and much of the area was without power until sometime tonight.
If I was a stockholder in one of the record labels, I'd be pretty angry by now. I don't know what they're smoking, because there is no way this can hope to save their revenue stream. About the only effect I can see is to make *millions* of their core customers resolve not to spend any money on their products again.
During Prohibition, demand *increased*. People didn't say, "Oh, well, alcohol is illegal again, I guess the Christian Temperance Movement was right. I'll switch to tea." People started bringing alcohol across the Canadian border any way they could, *because most people still wanted alcohol*. If anything, their desire for it was even more keenly felt once it was harder to acquire.
While it makes me sad that everyone is so obviouslly addicted to this (awful) music, I have no doubt the same phenomenon will apply here. Instead of the present situation, I think trading will fragment into several areas:
- Encrypted, anonymous trading. It has some technical challenges and will involve a long development cycle, but experiments like Freenet demonstrate that it is certainly possible.
- LAN trading.
- "Sneakernet" trading (you can move a lot of MP3's with a 20GB MP3 player).
- Waste-like private encrypted networks (and God help the person who breaks into one to look for file trading if there is none actually taking place--it's clearly a Federal offense).
I'm sure there are other methods I haven't thought of. The point is, there's a lot of technology out there now, and I have bo doubt that people angered by the music industry's actions will turn to that technology before spending another dime at the music store ("not one penny in tribute" and such). Like I said, if I was a stockholder I'd probably dump it right quick, because this looks to me like winning the battle but losing the war.
Slashdot Mirror
that some hellspaw^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hlawyer will come up with some sort of DMCA excuse to go after this person?
I considered that there might be disinformation here, but if their motives are true to form (bragging rights, mainly), then I doubt it. I don't they could resist bragging about their operation, though I wouldn't be surprised if names of persons, servers, etc. were falsified. This article must be great fodder for any psychological profilers out there.
I was wondering about what influence Asia would have...the article only mentioned people from the West. From a purely macroeconomic perspective, those countries (where people are generally poorer than those in the West) wouldn't want money leaving to foreign companies if they could avoid it. As effectve as the warez kiddies seemingly are, I can't help but wonder what the effect would be from a concerted effort by either Asian businesses or governments -- on both the content industries and the Western warez kiddies. Of course, it would take a special breed of corrupt officials in a country to actually condone actively participating in this kind of endeavor, but on the other hand I can only wonder what they might conclude from a purely cold-blooded macroeconomic analysis. If I was in the content industry, I think that Asia's influence would scare me infinitely more than a breed of what are essentially hobbyists.
Okay, maybe I'm missing something, but I don't get something here. The last three movies I went to see in the theater over the past few years are the Lord of the Rings movies (yes, I even skipped Attack of the Clones). Granted, (and this is purely my opinion) there are a (very) few other decent movies out there, but why on earth are people going to all the trouble and risk of pirating them? I mean come on, the vast majority of Hollywood's annual releases for the past few years have been complete garbage. Not only wouldn't I pirate them, I wouldn't even tape or otherwise capture them when they showed on cable! This raises another point: if people are pirating movies, I have to assume that they aren't filling their hard drives ad infinitum with them, but are either watching and deleting them or are burning them to CD or DVD. You know, if a movie is too sucky to buy or rent but is worth keeping for that one time in your life that you might feel like watching it (like on those Sunday nights at 1am when it's either that sucky movie or what stands for TV fare), a WinTV capture card does wonders. Don't these people have cable or satellite? It might not be letterbox, but we are talking about unmitigated garbage, after all. Warning to Hollywood: I, for one, have stopped attending and renting your movies (unless Peter Jackson makes The Hobbit, for which I shall make it the sole exception -- and I thank God that LotR wasn't made in California). As far as I'm concerned, nothing else I've seen for many years now has been worth my eight bucks, and I'm no longer interested in sending good money after bad. I no longer have any confidence in you when it comes to contributing to our culture and I've started creating my own (one 600-page book writen, several more to go).
My trusty Epson Photo EX died last week (true story, I'm not making this up) and I bought the Canon i9900 specifically because the people at Canon don't seem to play these games with their customers.. Nothing in the world could comvince me to buy Lexmark and whenever someone I know has looked for an inkjet printer I've made sure to point their antics out.
Two words: worldwide boycott.
I wonder...I'm still running Win2k SP2 and none of the issues come up...MS's site says they only affect SP3 and SP4. Does it mean that they're assuming everyone has SP3/4 or that SP2 is safe from all this?
Anymore, whenever I buy a DVD or CD, I make a point to buy it used, from places like Amazon. So far I'be bought several used movies that way and the quality has been all but indistinguishable from new. Just remember, every penny you put into their pockets is another penny that's available to pay their lawyers on this jihad.
Anymore I think of it this way:
- Tickets to Spider-Man 2: MONEY FOR THEIR LAWYERS.
- DVD of xxxxxxxx movie: MONEY FOR THEIR LAWYERS.
- xxxxxxx music CD: MONEY FOR THEIR LAWYERS.
And what galls me the most is that the bastards are probably laughing to themselves that we're so addicted to this stuff that we can't help but pay them to do this. Well I for one have decided, no more. NOT ONE RED CENT.
1. Don't support them.
/rant on
/rant off
2. Don't support them.
3. DON'T FRELLING SUPPORT THEM!!!
How many of you went to see Spider-Man 2? Just how many MILLIONS OF DOLLARS did you give these bastards? You know who you are. Well, that's just wonderful, now, isn't it? Millions of dollars now in their coffers to support this jihad against fair use. I hope those two hours watching a fictional comic book hero was worth it.
I have to admit I'm seriously considering it. I'm registered Republican and I'm in Pennsylvania which is a battleground state this year. If voting Libertarian doesn't send a message to my party to stop this nonsense then nothing will. I swear, Hatch is making me embarassed to be a Republican. I'll slit my throat before I vote for a damned Socialist like Kerry, but dammit, *something* has to be done.
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
CRIMES AND OFFENSES (TITLE 18)
CHAPTER 39. THEFT AND RELATED OFFENSES
3933. Unlawful use of computer.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of unlawful use of a computer if he, whether in person, electronically or through the intentional distribution of a computer virus:
1. accesses, exceeds authorization to access, alters, damages or destroys any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program or data base or any part thereof, with the intent: to interrupt the normal functioning of an organization or to devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud or deceive or control property or services by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises;
2. intentionally and without authorization accesses, alters, interferes with the operation of, damages or destroys any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program or computer data base or any part thereof;
3. intentionally or knowingly and without authorization gives or publishes a password, identifying code, personal identification number or other confidential information about a computer, computer system, computer network or data base.
4. intentionally or knowingly engages in a scheme or artifice, including, but not limited to, a denial of service attack, upon any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program, computer server or data base or any part thereof that is designed to block, impede or deny the access of information or initiation or completion of any sale or transaction by users of that computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program, computer server or data base or any part thereof.
(b) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the third degree. An offense under subsection (a)(2), (3) or (4) is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
"Access." To intercept, instruct, communicate with, store data in, retrieve data from or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, computer system, computer network or data base.
"Computer." An electronic, magnetic, optical, hydraulic, organic or other high speed data processing device or system which performs logic, arithmetic or memory functions and includes all input, output, processing, storage, software or communication facilities which are connected or related to the device in a system or network.
"Computer network." The interconnection of two or more computers through the usage of satellite, microwave, line or other communication medium.
"Computer program." An ordered set of instructions or statements and related data that, when automatically executed in actual or modified form in a computer system, causes it to perform specified functions.
"Computer software." A set of computer programs, procedures and associated documentation concerned with the operation of a computer system.
"Computer system." A set of related, connected or unconnected computer equipment, devices and software.
"Computer virus." A computer program copied to or installed on a computer, computer network, computer program, computer software or computer system without the informed consent of the owner of the computer, computer network, computer program, computer software or computer system that may replicate itself and that causes unauthorized activities within or by the computer, computer network, computer program, computer software or computer system.
"Data base." A representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions which are being prepared or processed or have been prepared or processed in a formalized manner and are intended for use in a computer
I hope the Honorable Sen. Hatch is listening to his constituents...because as a loyal Republican I made it a point to make sure other loyal Republicans know about the new law he's trying to get passed...and met me say definitively that they're PISSED. Companies might give him money, but WE give him the votes.
If I had more guts I'd call my uncle and ask him to do this, since he's a local politician and knows lots of judges. Someone should go to his local Justice of the Peace, pay his $50, and sue based on anti-hacking laws, asking the judge for an injunction blocking sale of this album anywhere in his state (or a fine of something like $100,000/day if the record companies defy the judge). Wouldn't it be a kick in the ass if EMI couldn't sell this piece of spywhere anywhere in, say, the entire COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA?
Any Linux-friendly versions of the clips? My Xandros 2.0 desktop doesn't seem to like these...
CD's originally included Tellurium in their composition when they first came out, and a lot of people were concerned that it would oxidize. The effect would be that CD's produced in 1981 would become unreadable in ten years or so. I'm given to understand that aluminum is now used, but I wonder what ever became of those early CD's.
That's why it's important to scare them *both*. Am I a Dem or a Rep? The polling is so close here that either party could win, and PA's electoral votes could swing the Presidential election. It would only take a few thousand votes to swing it either way. Which party is willing to take the chance that they might lose PA? I think if we sufficiently scared them both, they just might fall over themselves to do something.
I'm a Pennsylvania resident. This year, the polling between Bush and Kerry in my state couldn't be closer, and we have a lot of electoral votes. They will be fighting over my state like no other this year. I *always* vote, and until now I've always voted with the party with which I'm registered. I'm registered with one of the two major parties (I'm not saying which one because I want them *both* to squirm).
I say we start a petition in PA: unless the parties DO SOMETHING (as in *ENACT LAW*) about the current situation regarding fair use, reverse engineering, infinite copyright extension, etc. our votes are GOING TO A THIRD PARTY. It doesn't matter which one, as long as it's not one of the two major parties. Let's make our message clear: IF YOU WANT TO RETAIN OUR LOYALTY AND HAVE A SHOT AT GETTING THIS STATE, YOU WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE ELECTION DAY. I can't think of any greater kick in the political balls than this. The politicians have made it clear they don't care about us, so let's see how they respond to fear.
WRONG.
If I buy a music CD and someone takes it from me, that person can be PROSECUTED and JAILED for theft of personal property. MY personal property.
Go talk to some cops and judges. They'll set you straight.
- It's not a suggestion, it's THE LAW.
15 U.S.C. 14:
Sale, etc., on agreement not to use goods of competitor
It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in commerce, in the course of such commerce, to lease or make a sale or contract for sale of goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities, whether patented or unpatented, for use, consumption, or resale within the United States or any Territory thereof or the District of Columbia or any insular possession or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States, or fix a price charged therefor, or discount from, or rebate upon, such price, on the condition, agreement, or understanding that the lessee or purchaser thereof shall not use or deal in the goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities of a competitor or competitors of the lessor or seller, where the effect of such lease, sale, or contract for sale or such condition, agreement, or understanding may be to substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in any line of commerce.
Why don't you go get an anti-RIAA bumper sticker instead?
And for the RIAA droids, no, I'm not affiliated with the site, just making a suggestion >:)
They announced this on the radio this morning (yes, I live in the Philly area) and they said it would run $700 Million. There is NO WAY that Philly has this kind of dough, and I definitely don't see Harrisburg footing this (let's just say that people like me in Delaware County would fall on our swords before footing the bill for Philadelphia County's problems). It has to be (at least mostly) coming from Microsoft. Two things to take into consideration: The election for mayor is this year, not next year, and it's a really close race. There is a decent chance John Street might not get re-elected, and this would definitely be a feather in his cap. Not saying that this is the case here, but it's a possibility. Let's just say that if I were mayor, I'd jump at the chance for a deal like this, especially if the city isn't paying for it. Te truth is that Microsoft *does* have an image problem. With all the security flaws and the little antitrust thing, as well as WPA and Licensing 6.0, let's just say that people aren't exactly feeling peachy about them right now. Something like this, beneficial as it definitely is to kids, is still a great PR move. I don't think it's wrong to say that there's an ulterior motive at work here. I can just see it now: "Buy Microsoft. For the children." (Yes, it's sarcastic, but don't think for a minute that Microsoft, like every company, doesn't have marketing droids).
In Philly we have a pair of jet engines directly connected to a pair of turbines, FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SEED POWER TO START OTHER SUBSTATIONS. They're reporting that NYC can't get the Queens substations up until Queens itself has power. We set up these jets to cover this eventuality back in 1977, and when *that* blackout occurred, power in Philly came right back on. Why hasn't NYC clued in on this in all this time?
There was also a power outage in Center City. I just saw the report on Channel 6. Apparently a water pipe blew in the PECO substation and much of the area was without power until sometime tonight.
Drunk Stuntmen, Iron Hip
Just got it this week. Not "pretty good", but awesome.
I got it at http://www.milesofmusic.com.
If I was a stockholder in one of the record labels, I'd be pretty angry by now. I don't know what they're smoking, because there is no way this can hope to save their revenue stream. About the only effect I can see is to make *millions* of their core customers resolve not to spend any money on their products again.
During Prohibition, demand *increased*. People didn't say, "Oh, well, alcohol is illegal again, I guess the Christian Temperance Movement was right. I'll switch to tea." People started bringing alcohol across the Canadian border any way they could, *because most people still wanted alcohol*. If anything, their desire for it was even more keenly felt once it was harder to acquire.
While it makes me sad that everyone is so obviouslly addicted to this (awful) music, I have no doubt the same phenomenon will apply here. Instead of the present situation, I think trading will fragment into several areas:
- Encrypted, anonymous trading. It has some technical challenges and will involve a long development cycle, but experiments like Freenet demonstrate that it is certainly possible.
- LAN trading.
- "Sneakernet" trading (you can move a lot of MP3's with a 20GB MP3 player).
- Waste-like private encrypted networks (and God help the person who breaks into one to look for file trading if there is none actually taking place--it's clearly a Federal offense).
I'm sure there are other methods I haven't thought of. The point is, there's a lot of technology out there now, and I have bo doubt that people angered by the music industry's actions will turn to that technology before spending another dime at the music store ("not one penny in tribute" and such). Like I said, if I was a stockholder I'd probably dump it right quick, because this looks to me like winning the battle but losing the war.
Just got CDs for these indy bands in the mail...
- Drive-by Truckers, Alabama A** Whuppin'
- The Windbreakers, Time Machine
- Drunk Stuntmen, Iron Hip
I haven't gotten to the Drunk Stuntmen CD yet, but the other two sound terrific. Got them from www.milesofmusic.com.
Take that, RIAA.