Yep, I can picture it now. "Good morning Mr. Phelps. It appears you have a pirated copy of 'Like a Virgin'. Instead of giving you your mission we will proceed directly to self-destruct. HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"

As I was playing with the new puter, I decided to copy a few songs onto my HD. When you do so, Media Player gives you the option of turning off the copyright protection. Apparently, if you leave it on, you can play the music on your computer only. Interesting.

I just don't get it. People have been making copies of cassettes for ages. Now, with the internet, people can share music all over the world--increasing the chances that someone will buy an artist's CD, IMO. So, not only is the RIAA coming across like a bunch of fuckheads, but they're basically shooting themselves in the foot by discouraging people from enjoying new artists.

Metallica put some tough-sounding warning on their new CD about copying. Don't worry guys...I don't think people will be doing too much copying of it. Because most of it sucks, IMO. Maybe I just need to listen to it a few more times, but I am just not impressed thus far.

(I actually really like Sweet Amber, but the jury's out on the rest of it.)

More on Senator Hatch's website... looks like they're trying to sneakily "fix" the code and cover up their blatant software piracy.

The guy who wrote that code should take them to court for punitive damages. I'm sure he could find someone or some group to subsidize the court costs. Hell, maybe SCO would be interested.

Unfortunately, some poor coding pee-on will take the hit.:(

You see, that's exactly what's wrong with politicians these days. Back when Al Gore was around, he did all his own coding! :D

Bwahahahahahaha!! :beer:

It seems the RIAA lawsuits are working. On line swapping down 50% and sales of CD's down 3.6% vs 12.9% the year before.:(

The lawsuits have probably helped, but I imagine cheaper CD prices are helping as well.

And the legal alternatives which RIAA themselves failed to permit earlier.

Now that I have more time to think about it...I would imagine that the vast majority of people that quit downloading are twenty- and thirty-somethings who don't want to try and test the law.

Teenagers are probably still doing it at near-full force...unless their parents put a stop to it. Kids seem to think they're immortal at that age...I know I did to a degree.

And teens living at home have little to lose.