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Most people here, I suspect, believe that someone who buys a CD has a right to copy that CD onto any format for their own use

I don't think a publisher would have any problem with that in theory. What is happening though, is that characters like the guy who said that the 'RIAA is pure evil' will make that one copy --- onto a shared site from which millions can make their copies. Remember, these copies are identical to the master now in the digital age. Qualitatively different from the old days when we would make a copy of our Clapton vinyl LP onto a cassette.

I am a registered owner of Microsoft Access 2000 which has an elaborate imbedded scheme to prevent duplication. My license allows me to install it on 2 devices. When a computer dies and I replace it with a new one, I have to make a phone call to Microsoft and key in a lengthy string of numbers to activate the software and pledge that I still have it installed only on 2 computers. Hackers may have a way around this, but I don't have a problem with it beyond the annoyance. This software took dozens, maybe hundreds of people to develop. I respect their work and want them to keep on doing it. They won't if they aren't making any money.

Your entire post confirms that you are confused about the nature of knowledge and the digital revolution, Wilson. I myself have NEVER once used a CD or DVD downloading service or scheme, though I am fully capable of utilizing such things to the max, being a highly proficient computer geek type.

I have found that with the music collection I have now, I can just make CD copies within my own collection and leave the RIAA & its allies to go hang. I have no interest in contributing a nickel toward their financial well-being. This is the revolution I'm talking about - people have enough media now to stay within their own little circle of entertainment without purchasing any more. I have enough books, VHS tapes, CDs, cassettes, vinyl and DVDs to boycott the information Nazis. Screw them - they could have implemented micropayment-type schemes by now, but they're only interested in getting a double sawbuck for the "privilege" of cutting out the middleman. It's like charging 10 bucks every time you use an ATM. They're going to pay for their lack of vision.

And if you don't cut the crap about "why would you need a backup copy", Wilson, I'll label you a troll on the RIAA threads. One of my grandchildren trashed a brand-new DVD from The Fellowship extended edition before I even viewed it. My wife rented a DVD this week, and we were watching it tonight when it burped several times. She laughed when I told her about your post.

I'm running into too many Freepers these days who are trolling on certain subjects. It's BS, and I'm tired of it. You want to have a discussion, fine. I don't need your kind cluttering up the discourse with cow pies. Debate in good faith.

supercat - I flagged you because I know you're in my league when it comes to this stuff, and because you're willing to discuss it fairly. :-)