Tennessee passes law making it a crime to use friend's login to access Web-based entertainment

AP - via Kingsport Times News ^ | June 1, 2011

[don-o]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — State lawmakers in country music's capital have passed a groundbreaking measure that would make it a crime to use a friend's login — even with permission — to listen to songs or watch movies from services such as Netflix or Rhapsody.

The bill, now awaiting the governor's signature, was pushed by recording industry officials to try to stop the loss of billions of dollars to illegal music sharing. They hope other states will follow.

The legislation was aimed at hackers and thieves who sell passwords in bulk, but its sponsors acknowledge it could be employed against people who use a friend's or relative's subscription.

While those who share their subscriptions with a spouse or other family members under the same roof almost certainly have nothing to fear, blatant offenders — say, college students who give their logins to everyone on their dormitory floor — could get in trouble.

[don-o]

Thanks for taking the time to explain clearly, from the Conservative viewpoint, why this law is a bad idea. The article talks about the music industry in Nashville pushing this. It does not require a lot of imagination to imagine how they might have encourages the legislature to make this law for them. Key point you made relates to enforcement

[imfrmdixie]

“I sometimes wonder if there will ever be a time that enough laws have been passed. I’m not hopeful that day will ever come.”

Not as long as we keep electing lawyers.