This was just in response to a pre-trial motion to dismiss the case. This is a big important case, and not one that should be dealt with pre-trial summary judgement. IANAL, but I would imagine that a verdict at a trial would be more of a legal precedent than pre-trial motion to dismiss would have been.
While Napster's chances in the case are probably not good, Judge Patel is probably the most liberal federal judge in California (she was the one who briefly overturned the death penalty in California a couple of years ago). So if there is any judge who would rule in Napster's favor, it is probably her. She also has a college-aged son, so she may be more sympathetic toward mp3s than other judges would be.
The decision to make printed documentation available should be entirely based on the type of software/service being offered.
If the product is an application aimed at home users who are not particularly technical (eg. tax software, games etc), then there should definately be some sort of printed manual.
But if it is a product that is aimed solely at an audience that should be proficient in reading/searching digital documentation (ex. Oracle, VMWare or anything else that non-compuer literate people have no business installing), the there really isn't a need to waste money/materials on printed manuals.
Breaking the law is the wrong way. Changing the law is the right way
I don't know about you, but I can't remember the last time I got anything more than a form letter back from my senator/house rep. It's all well and good to say things like "why don't we change the law." However, until a group of people who are willing to spend a great deal of money to express an opinion different from the RIAA, there is little chance that any legislation will reflect the position of the media consumer.
The reality is that it is incredibly easy to pirate music, and incredibly rare that there are any consequences of that piracy. Those with the money to fight the current trend in legislation, also have the money to go out and buy cds, and therefore do not care.
Meanwhile, I maintain that by pirating music, I am fighting to change to laws. If I write to my congressperson, I get a form letter. But because I've pirated music, and because I've helped to make to make the RIAA address this issue, these issues are being discussed. If there weren't people like me pirating music, would the RIAA be at all concerned about piracy? I don't think so.
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Just picture a dinosaur laughing at a chimp because he has opposable thumbs where the dinosaur has claws...how will he ever catch his dinner?
...or does idealab's website look like they ripped off one of apple's designs?
Patrick Stewart as Homer...But then Homer might sound eerily similar to the (ex-)head of the Stonecutters.
While Napster's chances in the case are probably not good, Judge Patel is probably the most liberal federal judge in California (she was the one who briefly overturned the death penalty in California a couple of years ago). So if there is any judge who would rule in Napster's favor, it is probably her. She also has a college-aged son, so she may be more sympathetic toward mp3s than other judges would be.
But, be honest, aren't we all thinking, "No more reaching back behind my couch for the remote"
The decision to make printed documentation available should be entirely based on the type of software/service being offered.
If the product is an application aimed at home users who are not particularly technical (eg. tax software, games etc), then there should definately be some sort of printed manual.
But if it is a product that is aimed solely at an audience that should be proficient in reading/searching digital documentation (ex. Oracle, VMWare or anything else that non-compuer literate people have no business installing), the there really isn't a need to waste money/materials on printed manuals.
...but I could be wrong...
Breaking the law is the wrong way. Changing the law is the right way
I don't know about you, but I can't remember the last time I got anything more than a form letter back from my senator/house rep. It's all well and good to say things like "why don't we change the law." However, until a group of people who are willing to spend a great deal of money to express an opinion different from the RIAA, there is little chance that any legislation will reflect the position of the media consumer.
The reality is that it is incredibly easy to pirate music, and incredibly rare that there are any consequences of that piracy. Those with the money to fight the current trend in legislation, also have the money to go out and buy cds, and therefore do not care.
Meanwhile, I maintain that by pirating music, I am fighting to change to laws. If I write to my congressperson, I get a form letter. But because I've pirated music, and because I've helped to make to make the RIAA address this issue, these issues are being discussed. If there weren't people like me pirating music, would the RIAA be at all concerned about piracy? I don't think so.