New, tougher copyright legislation in the works

[chrysek]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060424-6660.html

Did anyone read this?

That is very scary....

...
"To put it bluntly, the claims of the content creation industry do not add up. Here's what the equation really looks like: Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2006 + analog hole legislation + the broadcast flag = zero Fair Use rights + pay multiple times for the same content. If you don't like that math, it's time to get in touch with your congressperson and senators."

[Juncti]

What's worse is the failed attempt law that would make even a failed attempt to grab any copyrighted item a felony. So click the wrong link and FBI might be knocking on your door.

I find this the most scary though "In addition, no one would be allowed to "make, import, export, obtain control of, or possess" hardware or software that could be used to circumvent copy-protection mechanisms."

So my digital camera could possibly be used to take a picture of a copyrighted photo, does that mean my digital camera is now illegal? Hell, Sage could now be illegal as well, all tv shows are copyrighted, and this lets us store a copy for later viewing.

One article I read said that part of the crackdown and support is because illegal copies "help support terrorism". I don't see that logic, are people making huge profits off these bootlegs?

Minority Report world here we come. Pretty soon someone will copyright seeing, breathing, and other basic functions and you will have to pay just to exist.

[Ken C]

Originally Posted by Juncti

I find this the most scary though "In addition, no one would be allowed to "make, import, export, obtain control of, or possess" hardware or software that could be used to circumvent copy-protection mechanisms."

Will I at least, be able to REMEMBER the movie ??

Ken C

[DFA]

I'll write my congressman for what good it will do. These enterprises have deep pockets and can afford to buy off the votes needed. It's so draconian, you'd think it wouldn't stand a chance. And the Whitehouse supporting it?; hard to imagine since they have been so in sync with the will of the public.

Interestingly, I wrote this post a few days ago before even knowing about this new legislation: http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...1&postcount=12

DFA

[Juncti]

Originally Posted by Ken C

Will I at least, be able to REMEMBER the movie ??

Ken C

Not unless you're willing to pay royalties to the creators or risk having your brain confiscated as a copyright violation device.

And don't you even dare think about humming your favorite song. Someone might overhear it and then you could be accused of sharing a copyrighted work without permission.

[briands]

Originally Posted by Juncti

<snip>
I find this the most scary though "In addition, no one would be allowed to "make, import, export, obtain control of, or possess" hardware or software that could be used to circumvent copy-protection mechanisms."

<snip>
Hell, Sage could now be illegal as well, all tv shows are copyrighted, and this lets us store a copy for later viewing.
<snip>

Sage does not violate the quoted section because it does not circumvent copy-protection mechanisms. They likely will never support any ripping functionality though.

[src666]

One word: IPAction.org (ok, three if you include "dot org")

There's finally an organization that can actively work in the political arena to try to change the minds of, or failing that rid us of, those corrupt moron congressfools who continue to spew this type of bill at the behest of the corporations who bought them.

As opposed to people like the EFF, who are non-profit charities who cannot advocate for or against a politician, these guys can start to apply leverage where it counts - the voters.

It's about time.

[Motofreak75]

I think its time to move the development dept./sagetv offices above the border to Canada, were laws/bills likes this will never make it PERIOD,and our copyright laws still make sense. that way Sage can keep things a live in the PVR software market.


Greed will only cause more harm onto everyone. Just look at gas prices.....

[blade]

Originally Posted by Motofreak75

I think its time to move the development dept./sagetv offices above the border to Canada, were laws/bills likes this will never make it PERIOD,and our copyright laws still make sense. that way Sage can keep things a live in the PVR software market.

What good would that do? They still wouldn't be able to sell the product in the U.S., which I would guess is their largest market.

[k9k9]

maybe it's time the PVR market moves to Canada.....

[blade]

Originally Posted by k9k9

maybe it's time the PVR market moves to Canada.....

Yes, I can certainly see people moving to another country because they want to use their PVR.

[Motofreak75]

if they sell it in Canada/over the net, anyone can buy it/download it.


Your going to have to think out side of the box on this one. Have you ever bought software from a company that wasnt in the USA. There is no way police/Waffen SS can track everyone. Its like off shore online casinos. The IRS cant touch the Americans that own them.

If funny, don't you guys think your corrupt moron congress is starting to sound like the tailban ? or even China,

saying what you can and cannot do ?

[DFA]

I just have a hard time seeing a bill get passed, at least in it's current draft, that would make "criminals" out of a substantial portion of the American populace.

But on the other hand, the current political environment has not been sensitive to our Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence it seems to me. Maybe this will bring it all to head. If it passes, I'm sure something this draconian will be challenged in court and hopefully assigned to a rational Judge.

I have always thought that the DMCA was already over the top along with the Patriot Act. Now this.

DFA

[blade]

Originally Posted by Motofreak75

if they sell it in Canada/over the net, anyone can buy it/download it.

Your going to have to think out side of the box on this one. Have you ever bought software from a company that wasnt in the USA. There is no way police/Waffen SS can track everyone. Its like off shore online casinos. The IRS cant touch the Americans that own them.

You're going to have to think of it from a business perspective. It would still be illegal here in the U.S., which would decrease the potential market for the software. Why would a company choose to move their operations to another country in order to produce a product that will have a smaller potential market than if it stayed where it was and followed whatever laws were implemented? Also you're assuming that Sage would be willing to break U.S. laws in order to sell their product. Not every company and country ignore the laws of the countries they export products to. In the end Sage is a business and I'm sure they'll base their decisions on business logic.

The bottom line is I doubt any of us have researched the PVR industry and ran a financial analysis on all of the PVR companies. So none of us can give an intelligent argument on the matter. The right choice of action would depend on the market size in different countries and how changing the product to meet U.S. requirements would affect the size of each potential market. Of course you'd have to take into account Sage's current market share for each country and how much potential they have for growth and how that would be affected if they changed their product. There are many many more variables that would need to be considered. It isn't simply about making choices based on a misguided sense of justice. It's a business and the goal is to increase the wealth of its shareholders.

They can't police everyone, but they don't have to. Does everyone that steals get caught? Does everyone that breaks the speed limit get a ticket? Of course not, but the threat of punishment is enough to greatly reduce the number of offenders. You can argue all you want that people would still use the software. I agree, but the point is not as many people would use it, which would hurt business.

I don't pretend to know the laws regarding gambling; however, owning a casino has nothing to do with a person using an illegal software product. They wouldn't even fall under the same agency's jurisdiction. It wouldn't be the IRS's job to hunt down illegal software.

If funny, don't you guys think your corrupt moron congress is starting to sound like the tailban ? or even China,

saying what you can and cannot do ?

That's one of the most ignorant statements I've seen in quite some time. Placing limits on the use of entertainment media is a far cry from telling a woman she can't show her face in public or beheading someone because they wish to worship a different religion.

All governments have corruption. If you don't believe the Canadian (or any other government for that matter) has its fair share of corruption you are being naive.

I'm not one to argue that everything the U.S. government does is right, but I have enough sense to realize the same thing goes on everywhere in the world. It just takes different forms.

[roxy99]

I would'nt worry about it much. Its all just smoke screen and mirrors at this point keeping lawyers and politicians rich. In another 5 to 10 years or so the law makers will catch up with the rapid technological advances. Right now, technology is moving at such a fast pace like a runnaway train for anyone to be able to even figure out whats going on let alone be able to enact any kind of legislation.

I'd be more worried about the technology behind HDTV rendering your HDTV capture obsolete then I would be about and litigeous matters.

[roxy99]

"All governments have corruption. If you don't believe the Canadian (or any other government for that matter) has its fair share of corruption you are being naive."

Four words define your statement: Liberal party of Canada