DRM.info: Informing about the dangers of controlling privatemedia use

[David Wolverton]

> Mark:
> > I look at it a bit differently:  the currently laws have CREATED
> > new technologies.  Napster would never have been created if RIAA
> > wasn't cracking down on MP3 HTTP servers.  Kazaa never would have
> > been created if Napster wasn't being attacked by RIAA.  BitTorrent
> > never would have been created if Kazaa wasn't being 
> attacked by RIAA.
> >
> > RIAA has been playing whack-a-mole with technology for the last ten
> > years,
> 
> heh nice metaphor =)
I too like that one...  Nice analogy. :-)


> My concern is that innovation is constructive divergence, creative
> deviance from standard practice. If DRM and TPMs control standard
> practice and are used to whittle away at instances of constructive
> divergence then it will be very easy to argue that all divergence
> thereafter must be unlawful.
> 
> Innovation is generated from doing something differently so is crime.
> If it is possible to criminalise innovation then it makes it easier
> for copyright holders to argue that anyone doing something different
> with a technology is a criminal.
> 
> Abdicating responsibility for decisions around lawful access and
> legitimacy to a proprietary technology is franchising the right to
> control our actions by a proxy designed with a subjective self
> interest.
> 
> Basically we both believe that the law is broken
> We just differ on whether that matters.
Taking this a step further, I'm just wondering what the general
consensus is on that Russian (for example) Site that sells MP3's that
was mentioned earlier on in this thread by Mark...  My understanding is
that it's nice and legal in Russia to purchase from this seller - but
what about for everyone else in the World now that we are a globalised
economy?

Specifically: Is it legal for an Australian (for example) to buy from
this Site or is there some clause/provision I'm unaware of that
prohibits purchase for anyone outside the Russian Federation that would
bring Music Industry officials storming down doors to
prosecute/confiscate PC's - or is a purchase from them just as
legitimate as from (for example) Telstra Music?


Regards,

David Wolverton
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