BTW, let me ask a somewhat-related question: if someone purchases a printer (as opposed to, say, leasing it), does that person have a right to refill its ink cartridges, and to make such modifications to the printer or cartridges as are necessary to make them work?
Not if they expect the manufacturer to stand behind the printer's warranty. Other than that, they may do as they choose with what they own, however the new printer cartridges have embedded chips that disallow refills by the end-user - an example of a proprietary system to protect a company that sells printers for $125 but charges $35-$50 a pop for ink cartridges. And yes, someone will eventually figure out a way to circumvent the system. It seems the most ambitious people in the world are those who want something for nothing, but it's not even a remotely close parallel to the music industry imho.
While I may or may not agree with any number of opinions about the RIAA, the p2ps, the law itself or the artists, I feel that the rule of law should prevail if the US is to stand. The arguments being made that the recording industry is already dead, also argue that the rule of law is dead as well and it no longer even depends on what is is.
It's either right to take what is not yours, or it is not. Many of the arguments being made by conservative people at Free Republic, if carried to their logical conclusion would advocate that since the banking industry is an outmoded business model (because I arbitrary decided it is due to the rates and high charges imposed by the greedy banks), I have the right to steal from the bank as long as I manage not to get caught. I don't really see the difference in arguments, therefore I'm some sort of puritanical moral monitor open to insult and loathing for espousing a conservative principal on a conservative web forum. What's up with that?
Someone has. And they've been sued for copyright infringement for copying the codes that the embedded chips send out. I believe the case is still pending, but would ask: should the vendor have the right to sue for copyright infringement in this case?
While I may or may not agree with any number of opinions about the RIAA, the p2ps, the law itself or the artists, I feel that the rule of law should prevail if the US is to stand. The arguments being made that the recording industry is already dead, also argue that the rule of law is dead as well and it no longer even depends on what is is.
Unfortunately, we have courts that routinely ignore the Supreme Law of the Land. Determining what the law really is, then, is often problematical, especially in cases where statutes seem to contradict the Constitution.
Many of the arguments being made by conservative people at Free Republic, if carried to their logical conclusion would advocate that since the banking industry is an outmoded business model (because I arbitrary decided it is due to the rates and high charges imposed by the greedy banks), I have the right to steal from the bank as long as I manage not to get caught. I don't really see the difference in arguments, therefore I'm some sort of puritanical moral monitor open to insult and loathing for espousing a conservative principal on a conservative web forum. What's up with that?
Some here say that there's nothing wrong with promiscuous music "sharing"; I for one disagree with that premise, as do many others. Nonetheless, I do believe that the RIAA's business model is dependent upon their maintaining near-exclusive control over music promotion. If artists discover ways to promote their work without signing their lives away to the RIAA, the RIAA's business model will collapse.
The real danger to the RIAA comes not from people who distribute RIAA music illegally, but who distribute independent music (some legally, some not, but none actionable by the RIAA in any event).
That's a good example of prices being way out of line ---if the cartridge was $35-$50 and I buy one, that cartridge is now mine. If I find cheaper ink to put in it ---what can be wrong with that? Same as buying a Ford car and later buying an off-brand air-filter instead of a Ford part.