Comment Re:Good step? (Score 1) 590
As the generic generalization for 'Megacorp media distributors' the RIAA has accumulated much public ill-will. Between media distributors historic association with organized crime, manipulation of copyright legislation by lobbying and campaign contributions, and overt threats to individuals, they (companies which are represented by the RIAA) are feared and hated by a great many of their potential customers.
Some portion of public (copyright violating) file sharing is directly caused by this resentment. Nonetheless, copyright has a purpose and few could argue that SOME form of protection for artists AND distributors is required.
The digital age has changed the foundation beneath the tower of legal precedents, and thus created unenforceable laws as currently interpreted.Why not reform copyright law to appropriately reflect society's interests? Allow public debate and informed arbitration, to BUILD a system that most people could accept.
Public domain should apply in a much shorter time than current law stipulates. Criminal piracy should be distinguished from Non-monetary file sharing. Criminal penalties should apply, and be enforced, against those who steal for profit, and MINIMAL civil penalties should be enforced against those who are merely competing for egos sake. Furthermore, there should be taxes (or fees) imposed on mass distributors of data (read ISP's) which would support regulation and enforcement of public access to copyrighted materials.
None of this would interfere with huge media collections or fair use in any form, be it educational, religious, or merely personal.
If the publics right to share materials was recognized exhaustively, the media companies would have a many more supporters of THEIR rights. Fair isn't difficult to understand. Neither is opressive inequity, however disguised by legislation.
Some portion of public (copyright violating) file sharing is directly caused by this resentment. Nonetheless, copyright has a purpose and few could argue that SOME form of protection for artists AND distributors is required.
The digital age has changed the foundation beneath the tower of legal precedents, and thus created unenforceable laws as currently interpreted.Why not reform copyright law to appropriately reflect society's interests? Allow public debate and informed arbitration, to BUILD a system that most people could accept.
Public domain should apply in a much shorter time than current law stipulates. Criminal piracy should be distinguished from Non-monetary file sharing. Criminal penalties should apply, and be enforced, against those who steal for profit, and MINIMAL civil penalties should be enforced against those who are merely competing for egos sake. Furthermore, there should be taxes (or fees) imposed on mass distributors of data (read ISP's) which would support regulation and enforcement of public access to copyrighted materials.
None of this would interfere with huge media collections or fair use in any form, be it educational, religious, or merely personal.
If the publics right to share materials was recognized exhaustively, the media companies would have a many more supporters of THEIR rights. Fair isn't difficult to understand. Neither is opressive inequity, however disguised by legislation.
