OT (sort of anyway) - Now get this, it may be illegal to turn on your computer...

[Jacques B.]

On Dec 30, 2007 9:52 PM, Craig White <craigwhite at azapple.com> wrote:
> get a load of this...it's not something someone can just make up
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/28/AR2007122800693.html
>
> Clearly Apple, Microsoft et al. are turning us into lawbreakers
> (probably Fedora too)
>
> Craig

Clearly RIAA is taking this stance (right or wrong - depending on your
point of view, something that should not be debated on this list as it
opens up a huge can of worms that has nothing to do with Linux)
because a number of people who are ripping their legal CDs are then
turning around and sharing it.  In absence of that, the RIAA would no
doubt have no bone to pick with those people even if ultimately it was
deemed to be a copyright infringement (they said so themselves in the
article).  Sure the different OS' provide tools to rip a CD.  But that
could be used to rip a CD of personal recordings or other recordings
that can be lawfully copied.  Just like a photocopier can be used to
copy copyrighted  books or legal stuff (i.e. photocopying something
you typed and printed off).  Just because it can be used to copy
illegal content doesn't make the photocopy industry law breakers.  Now
one could argue that CD ripping tools were designed primarily to allow
the ripping of copyright music CDs (because lets face it, very few
people create their own music CDs) so perhaps it could be argued that
the tool was written primarily to be used for unlawful purposes.  But
I don't see it becoming a real issue to the point Apple, MS and Linux
distros will stop providing such software.  Personally I buy my music
online (either iTunes or one other legal online service).  For $20 you
get 19-20 songs you really want on a CD.  Whether you agree or not
with the profits being made by people in the music industry, you can't
deny that they should be entitled to a profit.  After all do you go to
work every day for free?  Those who can do so are very, very, very few
and far between.  If you write a commercial application you would not
appreciate it if it was illegally copied, denying you the royalties
you deserve which in turn affords you an income to support you and
your family.  If you charge too much for it, it should not give people
the right to illegally copy it.  They only have the right to opt to
not purchase it and let market pressure force you to drop your price.
The same holds true here.  Consumers can choose not to purchase music
if they feel the price is too expensive (or profits unreasonable), not
illegally copy it.

So are the OS manufacturers law breakers?  I don't think so.  Will it
become an angle of attack for the RIAA?  I'd be surprised (but not
impossible).  My two cents (and only posting) on this OT thread.