Louise: In my research I noticed the trend in 2004 in the U.S. when the industry began its lawsuits through the RIAA and the MPAA, and simultaneously the industry also began a public education campaign in schools. Despite their numbers and the lawsuits, the "alleged pirates" appear to be winning because of the industry's greed. No better authority than Steve Jobs of Apple Computers stated that people would begin piracy on a much larger scale if the music industry keeps pushing Apple to raise its prices. This is why other outlets like Google, Comcast and the telecomm companies have prices that sometimes are higher than iTunes. I am waiting for the first lawsuit that is filed in the U.S. against digital rights management. In my job as a film producer and Internet content manager I have have multiple digital devices just to listen to music that I have already purchased. The operative question becomes when do you really own a cd or dvd? How can you own some property and the seller is still dictating how you can legally use the product even though you are usin the product in a manner in which it is designed to be used? Apple appears to have it right because they are at least allowing you to own digital property without monthly fees; however, the DRM that Apple utilizes, Fairplay, prevents one from lawfully transferring one's music to other formats. The other content providers such as Napster want consumers to pay rent or else they face losing their libraries. Unfortunately, the industry will have to learn as Sony did during the Beta vs. Vhs videotape wars of the 1980's. I am against real piracy of intellectual property; however, I am equally against the propaganda being spouted or insinuated by the industry that one must pay to download content and that if one does not: one is a thief. The SonyBetamax case is being worked around by new consumer sounding laws like the Digital Content Protection Act of 2006, the Digital Milennium Copyright Act and the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The problem in the U.S. is our legal system which allows lobbyists more access to politicians and regulatory officials than corporate interests. Ordinary citizens cannot compete with legal lobbying dollars. Chris -----Original Message----- From: air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Louise Ferguson Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 6:32 PM To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: Re: [Air-l] "It can't be legal unless you pay for it" On 27/02/06, Heidelberg, Chris <Chris.Heidelberg@ssa.gov> wrote:

Thanks David! This article is excellent for my literature review. I am

nearly finished the first three chapters and I am adding targeted literature now. This piece really hits home that the industry has conducted a highly successful and effective anti-piracy communications

campaign. When law enforcement is completely befuddled, it is easy for

one to see how ordinary citizens are experiencing the chilling effects

of legal crackdowns on fair use.

Not only is law enforcement befuddled, but industry associations in the UK are now producing so-called educational materials that time-poor teachers seem eager to use. These, off course, put forward only the industry's line. The next generation is effectively being brainwashed. I feel the recent launch of citizens' digital rights pressure groups in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and Canada, all within months of each other, is no coincidence. Many are feeling that things have being going one way for too long. Louise Ferguson Chair, Open Rights Group (UK) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Rights_Group _______________________________________________ The air-l@listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org Join the Association of Internet Researchers: http://www.aoir.org/