Posted by Netmask on 07/23/06 01:31

"Sandoz" <blumphf@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bp8wg.35$6G3.25@trnddc05...

Question: Does this mean I can record my favourite television or radio
program to enjoy later?
Answer: Yes. For the first time, you will be able to record most television
or radio program at home to enjoy at
a later time. This will allow you to watch or listen to a program as it was
made available to the public at the
time of the original broadcast.
(We have all been doing this for years. The legislation doesn't bring us
into the 21st century but the 20th.)
Question: How long can I keep the recording?
Answer: The recording must be deleted after one use. It will not be possible
to use the recording over and
over again.
(Well, sorry, but it will be possible, and we will continue doing it, like
we have for years. What the answer
should have said is that it "will remain illegal" to keep the recordings.)
Question: Can I make a collection of copied television and radio programs?
Answer: No. You will not be able to burn a collection (or library) of your
favourite programs on DVD or CD to
keep. It will be permitted to record a program on DVD or CD but only
temporarily until you watch or listen to it
for the first time.
(Got that? No collecting of your favourite programs.)


This would be hilarious if it wasn't so tragically surreal and actually A
LAW.

Prosecution of this depends on a definition of how long "temporarily"
implies in the statement "temporarily until you watch or listen to it
for the first time."
I have vhs copies of shows I taped back in the 90's I STILL haven't
watched--if these were on dvd would I be a felon because they slipped my
mind and they're still on my "to watch" shelf? If they pick some arbitrary
time frame (2 weeks? 2 months? A year?) that you'll have to let your copy
rest on the shelf, are you immediately a criminal if the dvd copy passes
that expiration date. I suppose you would be. Unbelievable.

And aside from getting TWO acquaitances to testify that they eached watched
the same recorded show at DIFFERENT times with me, how the hell could this
ever be proven anyone watched something more than one time?!!

S.



I suspect in the higher reaches of the public service, the people who
actually drafted this law may have been guilty of a "wink wink nudge nudge"
approach to this 'update' of our law and have hoodwinked the pollies - who
clearly must be really dumb not to pick this up.. them's my thoughts. As you
imply it is unenforceable

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