COURT: RIAA CAN'T HAVE NAMES OF DOWNLOADERS

Drudge Report ^

[rit]

Federal appeals court on Friday rejected efforts by recording industry to compel nation's Internet providers to identify subscribers accused of illegally distributing music online.

[Houmatt]

Okay. Now let's get down to brass tacks.

I have been busy reading your posts in this thread, and three things strike me:

1) To download or otherwise capture copyrighted material, even if done for personal use, is how you define theft. (Before you tell me you are not including personal use, may I remind you you have not made that distinction, and you would have done so if that was indeed your intent.)

2) You have essentially proclaimed it makes no difference what arguments can be made for file sharing (for the purpose of the topic at hand); to you they are not relevant and you will not listen to them.

3) You have at least once called at least one other poster in this thread an outright thief.

In light of this, it is terribly easy to come up with responses, replete with comments derogatory. However, I decided to stick with the rather accurate assessment of you being a fool.

I could have said you are an immature retard, but that would be considered an insult to both pre-adolescent children and those with mental and/or physical challenges.

No, you are just incredibly close-minded on a mundane subject, with a mindset on par with hopelessly spoiled and improperly disciplined pre-adolescent children.

Or, to paraphrase the words of Samuel Clemens, better known to the world as Mark Twain: "It is better for one to think you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

[Houmatt]

Despite all that--and even knowing if someone tried to take my property or living from me I'd want to kill him--I have no problem stealing other people's property and then doing all sorts of pretzel-logic to justify it. And, in this case, writing something I think is incredibly pithy.

Ooooooh! Putting words in my mouth. How original.

[templar]

The other DVDs I wanted to check out (T3, Bruce Almighty, others) were all $21.00 or more.

I've noticed that the DVD's seem to run about 25% more than the same movie on VHS tape. Do DVD's cost that much more to produce?

[John Robertson]

Unauthorized downloading of copyrighted music is unlawful EVEN FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE. That's the law. That's what I've been saying on that issue. I'm having trouble understanding what all the sturm und drang is about when it comes to something so obvious. I'm stating a hard fact. It's as if we're standing in a downpour, and I say it's raining, and people get bent out of shape and insist that it's not.

One of the ways they do go nuts is to fire off things to me that say, What if the sender gives me permission!? As if they've nailed me or something. And I keep explaining, very slowly, that if you have PERMISSION, well, then, it's not UN-authorized, is it?

The rights or wrongs of the law and the system and how it will evolve and how it must be changed and how the BIG CORPORATIONS are cheating everybody and all the rest of it is fine fodder for ancillary discussions, but it all misses the first and second point.

The first point is stated above. The second point is: If you take it, you're stealing. It's stealing. It...is... stealing. That's the legal and moral and biblical definition of stealing: Willfully taking something that is not yours.

I've come to the point that many here are simply not going to see it that way, and I'm not going to change them. If you've been reading everything I've said on this, as you say, you must have decided to ignore the several posts where I said to someone in opposition, Let's agree to disagree, and wish each other Merry Christmas. Many of those people on the other side, to their credit, have responded in kind. Perhaps you might consider the same.

But probably not after I comment on your string of jejeune insults. They're not funny. They're old. The one about the mental and physical challenges can be heard on third-rate shock jock radio...or the third grade. Take it from a professional: If you were half as funny as you think you are, you'd be twice as funny as your friends wish you were.

But seriously, take my holiday wishes--please.

[John Robertson]

No, they actually cost less, it's just that they're the medium of the moment, so they demand a premium. There is incredibly velocity in the whole DVD segment now, so the industry will of course reap all it can from it. I keep wondering what's going to come along to make DVDs look as old-hat as VHS? Probably something as big as a nickel.

[Houmatt]

I think it would be much, much better to merely say your post does not do anything but further validate my previous one.

To say anything more will surely get me banned.

[John Robertson]

Go ahead. Jim's used to members who lose the argument because of weak thinking, then think they're leaving the field with honor by saying they'd better not say what they they'd really like to do because it's so bad and scary they'd get banned. Quit posturing.

[Houmatt]

Jim's used to members who lose the argument because of weak thinking,

You wish, pal. Anybody who thinks they have won anything by closing their eyes and ears to anything that differs from their own personal mindset is suffering from delusions of grandeur.

[John Robertson]

I was talking about your feeble threat.

As for our difference of opinion, I suggested we just let it go, and agree to disagree. But you didn't seem to get that.

Shaking in my Santa Claus boots, to be sure.

[honeygrl]

You know, if the "artists" did more touring (a.k.a. working) they wouldn't have to worry about who downloads their songs because they'd still have a huge income anyway. They should also cut the RIAA out of the picture altogether. It would likely help them because there are a lot of people boycotting artists associated with the RIAA right now.

Any idea what the RIAA even does for the artist? (i haven't got a clue though I've heard they basically screw them out of money too)

[honeygrl]

"I've noticed that the DVD's seem to run about 25% more than the same movie on VHS tape. Do DVD's cost that much more to produce?"

They are cheaper to produce but usually have a *LOT* more stuff on them. (also easier to navigate areas on the DVD than the VHS) Sometimes, you even get the soundtract to the movie with the DVD.

[honeygrl]

Actually, *legally* it's considered copyright infringement and is totally seperate from stealing. LEGALLY it is not considered stealing. But don't let silly little facts get in your way... you haven't so far..

[John Robertson]

Infringement.... Main Entry: in·fringe Pronunciation: in-'frinj Function: verb Inflected Form(s): in·fringed; in·fring·ing Etymology: Medieval Latin infringere, from Latin, to break, crush, from in- + frangere to break -- more at BREAK Date: 1533 transitive senses 1 : to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another 2 obsolete : DEFEAT, FRUSTRATE intransitive senses : ENCROACH -- used with on or upon synonym see TRESPASS - in·fring·er noun honeygirl: check out definition 1, then kindly give it up. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.

[bvw]

Thine own dictionary saith it! honeygirl's right!

[John Robertson]

"to encroach upon in a way that violates law"

slow down on the eggnog.

[honeygrl]

I don't see theft or stealing in your definition.

[John Robertson]

I don't see logic or common sense in your thinking.

[Revolting cat!]

MEMO: Church Ladies riding high horses are immune to any sort of arguments!

[honeygrl]

"to encroach upon in a way that violates law"

So trespassing is automatically stealing too? I don't think the law is on your side on that. I hope you aren't a lawyer because you wouldn't make a very good one.

[John Robertson]

We agree to disagree. Merry Christmas, a healthy and Happy New Year.