. . . .Not Just the Music. . . . .
Mav, while it is true that this newest technology of music distribution will be nearly impossible to stop. My point was that the record industry not give up trying. I believe it is important that it be stopped. . .one way or another. . .whether or not it is even possible. To give up would be suicidal to industry. . . .not just the music industry. . . .this will soon spill over into music videos, software, movies, television shows, books, DMV records, health records, answers to tests, legal documents, there is simply no end.
But speaking to the argument about music being copied and shared with friends. . .copying a record onto a cassette, DAT, CD or DVD for the purpose of sharing with friends is considered into the price of the original recording. If you bought a cassette, it is understood that there will probably be a copy made. If you bought a CD, it is far more expensive because it has a far longer life expectancy. That single CD may spawn 4 or 5 copies on average, then get swapped at a used CD store and make another couple of copies on average before getting tossed into the CD abyss. Again that is figured into the price. Yes, today's CD-RW and Recordable DVD is making it "easier" to make high quality recordings of movies and CDs for friends. . . but again, that was anticipated into the original price. . .even though the Copyright law only provides for making "personal" copies. . . .still . . no problem.
But when a single CD gets digitized into a streaming audio format whereby it can be downloaded by strangers, that is called "publishing". There are OTHER Federal laws against publishing without license by the copyright owners. If I were to grab this week's #1 Best Seller, scan it to a format that would place it into an E-Book or a software driven Book simulator for a PC. . .then place it online in a format that allowed strangers to download as they please or even print out their own copies. . .again, I would be publishing the book.
If I received a copy of Jim Carrey's "The Grinch" and began to distribute the streaming video via a Gnutella style distribution network. . . allowing anyone I wish to download their own copy in October & November. . . .spreading around the world by Christmas. . . . .who would go see the movie on Christmas day? Why bother spending the $7 bucks? I've got a copy right here on my R-DVD I downloaded free off the net. And instead of the movie making money for its company and creators, it loses them money. . . .after too much of that. . .why bother making them at all?
You see, it isn't about music. It is about creative commerce. And that is why I believe that all efforts must be taken to stop the sort of Hacker Style Technology that created this monster in the first place.
If I was publishing books, music, movies or software without a license by the copyright owner, I would be breaking the law and should be stopped. Plain and simple.
If I were publishing confidential medical records, financial records prior to publication by the company, news releases intercepted from Business wire or the U.S.D.A. crop report ahead of an announcement. . . there would be no questions asked. I'd quickly be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent.
But if I were to gain a copy of a Korn's upcoming release, and post it to the net via Gnutella. . . .would I not be equally guilty? And what about their last release? And the one before that? The bottom line is that without permission to publish, I would be breaking the law. Plain and simple.
HOW this is to be enforced, is up to the crackshot experts at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the F.B.I., and other agencies designed for just such situations. Yes, it will be difficult. Impossible? We'll see.
Rande Is |
