BBC NEWS | Technology | Movie body targets children's PCs

BBC NEWS | Technology | Movie body targets children's PCs

Cleary this is getting ridiculous. in this age of high bandwidth and perfect digital recording adjustments are needed to derive the maximum value for artst and all of the public. What we see happening instead is thot publishers, the labels through RIAA and movie prduction houses through MPAA are ulargely acting in o highly reactionary manner. Instead of changing business models to embrace the new realities and oppurtunities these forces are largely ottempting to fight te preserve increasingly outmoded business models. In the process they are criminalizing early embracers of what the technology makes possible.


In the case of the labels it is possible that their economic usefulness and neccesity is rapidly coming to an end. These things happen periodically as the mix of technological capability, cistomer needs, desires and abilities changes. The RIAA especially is resisting the natural tide of change and even claiming those who embrace the changes are criminals and immoral. While it is true that artists and others actually needed in the production of music need to be fairly compensated this does not require nor in any way justify the criminalization of technology or of the public.

In the case of the movie industry things are a bit less clear as far as prtectionism of outdated business models go. For now at least there appears to be a real need for large investments in order to prduce movies. But this too is changing rapidly. obviously the productive and creative elements deserve compensation. What is not obvious is that that justifies criminalization of technologies and their users.

Neither of these reactionary groups is embracing even the most obvious positive in the new technology. Distribition, packing, mass production and a very signifcant amount of advertising are now free. The artist and producers would me much better served by actively encouraging file sharing while inventing new ways for compensation to be derive propotional to popularity.

Making Citizens Spies (AGAIN)

This is exactly what the old TIPS program rejected by the people wanted to do. Our government once again shows that it considers itself above the people it exists to serve and willing to ignore their will whenever it pleases.