Music Download Case Goes to Jury

[RLT69]

I'm not the least bit confused. I question why civil suits are allowed to sidestep what constitutes "cruel and unusual punishment" while criminal law is far more sensible (and is indeed what RIAA refers too all the time, as a "theft" of physical property).

Your point is well taken Lordsmurf. However you argument is a moot point. Regardless of what your, mine, or other people's sensibilities are, what our sense of justice is, we are left with one fact - the law. Unless you change the law, none of this matters. Change the law and these draconian damages go away.

[lordsmurf]

Don't underestimate the power of words. All it takes is one person to get the ball rolling on change. I would vote for changes. Others may agree. Eventually, somebody in the right position might write up bills for change, because he or she knows there is support for it.

"To sin by silence makes cowards out of men." - Ella Wheeler Willcox

Do not be indifferent, due to personal fears that you "can't make a difference". You CAN make a difference. Even if you turn on the lightbulb in just one other person's head, you've made a difference. He or she may do the same. It's really about domino effect. It might be slow, so don't just give up.

If something does not seem fair to you, say so. Say it loud, say it often.

[SCDVD]

I profoundly agree with Lordsmurf's comments. One of the disparities is the huge corporation versus the little guy in civil suits. If you are unlucky enough to have a huge corporation go after you in a lawsuit for whatever strategic reason that may have, you are dead meat. They can out-lawyer you until hell freezes if they wish. And don't forget these are the same characters that are cheating the musicians out of fair pay for their creative works to start with! They are after the money on both ends of the proposition!

We have to think outside the "it's the law" box. The "law" is not the Holy Scripture, it's just the law - as it is at the moment. As Lordsmurt suggests, people need to sound off because laws can be changed whether by superseding them with new laws or getting them declared Unconstitutional by the court system.

[dadrab]

I believe you said it best with the quote:

They can out-lawyer you until hell freezes if they wish.

I agree with the both of you, but until there's a need for real change, there won't be any, I'm afraid. With the money tree growing larger all the time at the record companies, there's no need (in their minds) for change.

[Nitemare]

Not ALL lawmakers are owned by huge corporations here in America. Find one that isn't to champion the cause. Like LordSmurf says... if there is support for it, they'll run with it. Getting the word out and raising the support is hard but it CAN be done.

An example...At the state level here in PA, after state lawmakers illegally voted themselves a pay raise there was a huge public outcry and a campaign to keep this issue fresh in the minds of all voters. When re-election time came years later, a huge number of incumbents were replaced with new people. Now, those same new people find their reform efforts blocked by the few remaining incumbents. That problem will be rectified during the next election.

Getting the word out and KEEPING it out were the key elements here. Protest loud and protest often and keep doing it until someone listens.

... but statements like "the big companies deserve it" help no one.

[Dubber]

Just to cheer all you law-lovers, there is an idea in the making and it will be forced on us in the future (may be 10-20yrs), just in case you don't know yet...

here it goes: they are to discontinue all media players that would allow storing audio or video content and will make it available over air only with a charge to phisycal unit owner per item (weather a song or video). The first step is already in the works as they are trying to make it more difficult to get DVD recorders with HDDs, to record off of TIVO and there are other signs ... in the end, we will be paying "per use" even per each time we read a magazine (again, there won't be physical media), it's the only way to sqeeze out most money from us....

[MOVIEGEEK]

Just to cheer all you law-lovers, there is an idea in the making and it will be forced on us in the future (may be 10-20yrs), just in case you don't know yet...

here it goes: they are to discontinue all media players that would allow storing audio or video content and will make it available over air only with a charge to phisycal unit owner per item (weather a song or video). The first step is already in the works as they are trying to make it more difficult to get DVD recorders with HDDs, to record off of TIVO and there are other signs ... in the end, we will be paying "per use" even per each time we read a magazine (again, there won't be physical media), it's the only way to sqeeze out most money from us....

As you said this is just an idea or more likely a rumor that will never happen,physical media will always be available in one form or another(I prefer flash memory over optical).Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have publicly stated they are not in favor of DRM and the hardware manufacturers aren't either,it's the media producers that are forcing it on us.
If the day ever comes when I can't buy a movie or album on a piece of plastic I will protest to whomever will listen,but in the meantime copyright law is here to stay and if you don't like it then change the laws.

[jagabo]

Universal is starting to get the idea...

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071012-universal-prepping-free-subscription-service.html

When the service is universal, not just Universal, it will take off. It will be bundled with ISPs, DVRs, cable TV, etc.

[paulw]

Universal is starting to get the idea...

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071012-universal-prepping-free-subscription-service.html

When the service is universal, not just Universal, it will take off. It will be bundled with ISPs, DVRs, cable TV, etc.

What's the bet "USA Only" again

[MikieV]

Universal is starting to get the idea...

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071012-universal-prepping-free-subscription-service.html

When the service is universal, not just Universal, it will take off. It will be bundled with ISPs, DVRs, cable TV, etc.

I just don't get it.

Every compatible cell-phone bill going up by $5-a-month?

Every other compatible device having $5-a-month x [??]-months added onto the purchase price? So, when I accidentally break my player - I not only get to buy a replacement device, but a "built-in" replacement rental surcharge?

Which - if any - of our existing devices would work with it??

Who gets the money??

Who decides how this revenue stream is divided and apportioned?? Who will be tracking our listening-habits to ensure the artists people are actually listening to are getting rewarded for their efforts?

They were just starting to "get" the idea of DRM-free sales, but now they want me to get excited about renting music for the rest of my life?