"I say I say, dere's too much freedom goin' on out dere."
Posted on 04/08/2002 4:57:12 PM PDT by Houmatt
Edited on 06/29/2004 7:09:03 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
WASHINGTON -- If Hollywood and the music industry get their way, new software and hardware will sport embedded copy protection technology.
A bill introduced by Senate Commerce Chairman Fritz Hollings would prohibit the sale or distribution of nearly any technology -- unless it features copy-protection standards to be set by the federal government.
(Excerpt) Read more at wired.com ...
Do you remember the DIVX controversy of a few years back? That was DVD technology with a catch: A limited amount of playtime, the inability to play films on any player but one. Yours.
Now, imagine some of that on technology on a current DVD you just bought. You thought region coding was bad, now, nobody can borrow a DVD you legally purchased because they will be unable to play on their DVD player.
And how about a used DVD? Suppose a video retail chain such as Hollywood or Blockbuster wished to resell a DVD they own. Guess what? Chances are, once you get it home, you will NOT be able to play it.
Why? Because, with this bill, movie studios will be able to place coding that can render a DVD useless. And the best part about it, is this coding can be used at THEIR discretion.
And, if you desire to see a DVD recorder in much the same way as the VCR followed the video cassette player, forget it. Despite the famed Betamax decision that allows people to record films/TV shows/etc off the air for their own, personal use, this bill, if passed, will circumvent it and make the possibility of a DVD recorder in this country an impossibility.
We, the consumers, should have the right to use digital technology as we see fit, not by what is permissible by Congress, and certainly not by the short-sighted clowns that run Hollywood. This should not even get to the floor for a debate, let alone be voted on. Contact your Senators NOW!!!!
Let them arrest me.
Sorry Jim.
I am afraid not.
U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 8:
"To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries:"
literacy... :)
For one thing, I said we should be able to use technology as we see fit.
Also, if inventors are supposed to have exclusive right (for a limited time, by the way) to their "discoveries" (or creations, if you will), that would make Hollings' bill unconstitutional, as the bill will definitely prohibit the sale and distribution of DVD recorders.
Just as it is illegal to sell or even have region free DVD players, courtesy of the DMCA, which exists due to Hollywood lobbying.
"...as the bill will definitely prohibit the sale and distribution of DVD recorders."
The article states:
"A bill introduced by Senate Commerce Chairman Fritz Hollings would prohibit the sale or distribution of nearly any technology -- unless it features copy-protection standards to be set by the federal government."
You also stated to me:
"I think it is time you retook that course in reading comprehension, pal."
From the evidence stated above, I believe it is you who has the comprehension problem due to the fact that you referenced only half of what the Holling's bill is attempting to do. (refer to the bold letters. "copy-protection," then again refer to Art I, Sec 8, Cl 8)
Under this bill, DVD recorders will not exist in the United States. Period.
If you are basing your entire argument over focusing on what you believe to be only one part of the bill, the only conclusion I can derive is you favor this bill. You probably don't care because you do not even own a DVD player.
News Flash, pal: By 2006, the VHS format, as we know it, will be extinct. As in DEAD. As in joined the choir invisible. As in don't expect to get your copy of Star Wars: Episode III on videocassette.
Unless you intend to spend the rest of your days watching older films on VHS until your VCR goes toes up, you are gonna have to get with the program.
Now, you are trying to introduce evidence into this discussion, to support your position, in which it was never stated in your original post. It is as if you expected me to read your mind. Not very good debating skills.
It is a maxim amoung debaters, as soon as your opponent resorts to name calling ("Look, Brain dead...") it is time to just smile politely and declare victory in the debate.
Well, golly gee, Fonz, I was not asking you to read my mind, only that you actually take the time to read and comprehend what has been written before and I what I added to it.
And speaking of adding things, you have not even disputed a single thing I have brought up here, save your assertion there is nothing wrong with what Hollings' bill proposes from a Constitutional standpoint. I, of course, showed how bogus that was, and you did not dispute that either.
And on top of all this, you have the cojones to declare yourself the "winner of the debate" just because I addressed you as "Brain Dead". Nope. You are the loser. You have been unable to disprove ANYTHING I have said. In fact, the only thing you have provided is a strawman.
Bottom Line: If Hollings' bill passes and becomes law, we all lose.
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