Powerful Senator Endorses Destroying Computers of Illegal Downloaders (Orrin Hatch)

AP ^ | 6/17/03 | Ted Bridis

[NCLaw441]

I don't know. We take risks whenever we download anything. I don't have a dog in the fight, but seems to me that copyrights ought to be protected, despite the inherent issues in copyright matters (how many people can listen to one CD, for example? Can I lend a book to a friend? What if I read it to him? Can he tape me reading it to him? )

[Myrddin]

but in that situation it would be hard to prove how the machine was destroyed too though, wouldn't it?

I would bet that the "damage" would have an unmistakable and traceable signature. The "forensics" necessary would be far easier than most police investigations. The owner of the damaged computer would then have the evidence and the identity of the perpetrator. Sounds like fodder for a big class action suit.

[CdMGuy]

You are right. He is just ticked off because no one is downloading the crappy songs he sings.

[bvw]

Senator Hatch has stood the Constitution's copyright clause on its head. The Founder's allowed for a limited copyright in the hope that it would encourage "Science and the Useful Arts" . Pay heed: the term USEFUL ARTS does not mean "art" -- entertainment -- rather it means in todays equivalent sense: Technology and Engineering!

Music, theater, plays, novels and newspapers were around in that period, and the theater was moneymaking. The intent of copyright was NOT to protect them.

The intent was to protect technology. Now HATCH has had enough of freedom, and favors the merchant nobility that has generations past been granted their titles of "copyright" nobility. All hail the Duke of Mickey Mouse! All hail the Earl of "Happy Birthday to You"!

[ARCADIA]

What is going on with this government anymore?

This idiot is on my Should Retire list. The day he turns the switch on this PC killer, the entire world is going to go black. Even the military will probably think we are under attack! He must be on somebody's payroll; don't you think?

[LauraJean]

I always knew there was something I didn't like about Hatch. I think he needs to buy larger shirts. The collers he wears are chocking off circulation to the brain. What is he going to think of next, have copy machines blow up if someone copys a page from copywrited materials.

[ThinkDifferent]

but seems to me that copyrights ought to be protected, despite the inherent issues in copyright matters

And it seems to me that accused copyright infringers should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

[Arkinsaw]

they can expect cyber-reprisals

If they destroyed 100,000 PC's or even erased their operating systems I suspect that Washington would witness more than cyber-reprisals.

[muawiyah]

Ah, yes, damage someone's computer for downloading someone else's copyrighted material without permission!

Does Hatch realize exactly how much of that stuff in the Mormon genealogical archives has been purloined from copyrighted books and articles?

I thought Mormons were supposed to work on genealogy as part of their religious practice and here's Orin Hatch, just about the highest ranking elected Mormon in America, and he's saying "destroy their computers".

I think this one is going to have to go back to the workshop for a complete overhaul!

[rs79bm]

The RIAA reminds me of other large corporations that got so big they eventually tanked. Here, they have tacked on so many things to the price of a CD that it has gotten outrageously out of hand.

[Principled]

If they actually get something like that passed and begin demolishing computers with impunity, they can expect cyber-reprisals. I'll bet that the anti-music industry brigade is made up of smarter computer geeks than the ones working for the RIAA, too.

If this were ever to happen, you'd see so much funny stuff happen to record co people...cancelled credit cards, late notices on everything, repoed cars, etc.

[agitator]

I hope everybody who touts this guy as the next SCT Justice remembers his obvious regard for due process.

[Myrddin]

Your choice, violate or not. And without your working computer, how would YOU prove the "government" did it?

I'm not downloading music, but that doesn't mean that my computer is safe from this proposed act of government sanctioned vandalism. I do rip music from purchased CDs to make mixes. If the vandals decide my legal rips are illegal downloads and destroy my computer, there will be hell to pay. I have the technical skill to do the forensic analyis to expose how the computer was damaged. I wouldn't hesitate starting a crusade to crucify the RIAA for any and all damage caused by their vandalism.

BTW, I have a room full of computers with various operating systems. The loss of one of them would only provide the catalyst and evidence to go after the vandals.

[Arkinsaw]

I hope everybody who touts this guy as the next SCT Justice remembers his obvious regard for due process.

God forbid.

[ARCADIA]

"If this were ever to happen, you'd see so much funny stuff happen to record co people...cancelled credit cards, late notices on everything, repoed cars, etc."

If this happened there wouldn't be any record company people.

[isthisnickcool]

Hatch: Set us up the bomb!

[rs79bm]

How about the "artists" charging up to $20 for a CD?

It's partly the artists, but more so the RIAA that sets the prices.

[DannyTN]

The problem is who is going to police this. Who is going to make sure that the downloader knows it is an illegal song. Who is going to make sure that the technology isn't abused. This is letting the record companies be judge, jury and executioner.