ASU loses again (RIAA)

[Mike Storke]

--- Craig White <craigwhite at azapple.com> wrote:

> I find it curious that the RIAA, like the credit industry finds the
> young adult population worthy of their blood sucking tactics. I
> really
> think that this is causing cultural harm to America. Whether it is
> the
> RIAA doing their litigation thing, or the shameful debt load from
> despicable student loan practices or what may be the worst of all,
> extending credit cards to them even though the credit card companies
> know that these students have little capacity to pay. The common
> thread
> is that all of these industries are aware that the people that are
> dealing with have little capacity to pay.
> 
> I guess I'm really feeling pessimistic at the moment...sorry to
> intrude
> 
> Craig

No, Craig, I think you hit the nail on the head; furthermore, I am
living proof of the credit card companies' lending practices as I
couldn't get free from debts dating back to my college days until I
filed bankruptcy (and on the deadline before the laws changed--whew!).
I find it deliciously ironic that the law that made it harder to file
bankruptcy not only hurt the companies it was intended to help, but--my
memory may not be right here--also contributed a small part to this
mortgage crisis as well as bankruptcy is no longer an option for many
of these people to save their homes.

Now, slowly but surely, this bit of history is repeating itself with
the RIAA: their campaign of terror is slowly but surely starting to
backfire even as they increase the pressure.  Laws like the DMCA are
turning out to hurt those who pushed it in unintended ways. 
Eventually, the mounting anger against the RIAA's (and, to an
apparently far lesser extent, the MPAA, though I think their time is
coming, too) draconian practices will reach critical mass--though I
think a few heads have to change in Washington (including at the
unelected levels) before that happens.

I mentioned the MPAA: I'm sure everyone on this list is aware of the
copyright bit in the ATSC standard.  It'll be VERY amusing to watch
when, not if, they start using it upon the death of NTSC.  The only
thing I don't know personally is if DVRs must obey the bit as well: if
they do, look out!

Ok, I guess that's enough ranting for one night. :)

Mike



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