Posted by Technobarbarian on 10/06/06 02:31

"Doug Jacobs" <djacobs@shell.rawbw.com> wrote in message
news:12iaj87h356qjd3@corp.supernews.com...
> In alt.games.video.sony-playstation2 Technobarbarian
> <Technobarbarian-ztopzpam@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> > How about my right to actually USE the media I bought?
>
>> If the license doesn't allow you to use the damn thing don't buy
>> it.
>> How hard is that? Your rights haven't changed. As the technology changes
>> the
>> licenses you buy are changing.
>
> The problem is that these licenses are begining to infringe on local and
> federal laws. Furthermore, many times, you can't even read the license
> until you've open the package, or tried to install the thing. Many stores
> won't accept returns on opened music or software. Even though the license
> says you are entitled to your money back, the license is between you and
> the company - not the store.
>
>> > How about my right to privacy?
>
>> If someone forced you to put this stuff on your machine you might
>> have a
>> point. If you make an agreement to give up privacy rights it's a personal
>> choice and not a loss of rights.
>
> Read about Sony's rootkit incident.

Isolated incident - red herring
>
> This was software that was installed on machines without the users'
> knowledge or permission. As such, this actually violates some fledging
> laws regarding computer privacy.

Exactly my point, your rights have not been reduced.

>
> And as a special bonus, rootkit is very hard to remove fully, makes your
> machine extremely unstable, AND also opened your computer to a number of
> security exploits. All this, and you still aren't allowed to rip the CD -
> which violates another federal law.
>
> Oh yeah, and there was no indication on the package that the CD would
> prevent you from ripping it, so people ended up trying to return what
> they thought was a "defective" CD to stores - who only gave them an
> exchange or store credit.

Smart consumers learn from these experiences. The first time this
happens shame on them. The second time shame on you.

Meanwhile, they unknowingly got to keep rootkit
> free, as a "special gift" from Sony.
>
>> > How about my rights regarding not having companies disable/destroy my
>> > hardware?
>
>> This is a nice red herring. If anything that incident confirmed and
>> strengthened your rights.
>
> Strengthened my rights!? Where is it written that I have the right to
> allow software companies to secretly install other programs on my PC as
> they see fit - and that these secret programs may decrease system
> performance or functionality?
>
> How about the CD copy protection scheme that would crash your computer?
> How does this strengthen my rights?
>
> Phillips actually sued over that one, claiming the music publisher could
> not use the "Audio CD" trademarks on a CD that clearly was outside the
> spec.
>
>> > If the RIAA had its way, you'd have to _BUY_ different copies of music
>> > for
>> > each and every different player you had in your house. No, you
>> > wouldn't
>> > be allowed to make a copy of a CD for you to take in your car. No you
>> > couldn't make personal mix-discs. No, you couldn't rip the CD to MP3
>> > for
>> > your MP3 player(s). No, you couldn't buy/sell used CDs. No, you
>> > couldn't
>> > lend your music to a friend, or even play it on his equipment.
>
>> And if you were stupid enough to buy this license you would deserve
>> what you got.
>
> And if it's the only game in town, are you willing to stop buying music
> altogether?

I'm sorry. I assumed you live on planet Earth. Here we have LOTS of
choices. I can't speak for your planet.
>
>> > Does that sound good to you? I hope so, because that's what DRM is
>> > attempting to accomplish.
>
>> How much DRM do you think I buy? Idiots who buy stuff they don't
>> like
>> deserve what they get.
>
> You're assuming that the companies will disclose what DRM (if any) they
> are including on their products. In many of the existing examples - there
> is no disclosure on the front of the package! If the companies refuse to
> give you the proper information in the first place, how can you be
> expected to make an educated choice?

Easy, after the first purchase of this sort you have been educated.
Those who are too slow to learn their lesson are fair game.

I'n not saying the media industry isn't acting like a bunch of
assholes. I am saying that at this point your "rights" are intact. I've got
a lot of copyrighted material in my house. The way I use it has not changed.
If you don't like the way you're being treated don't buy the crap, but
whining about "rights" isn't going to get you anywhere.

TB

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