RIAA and MPAA seek anti-trust protection

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2003-12-01 07:13pm

Devistater writes "Webcasters sued RIAA two months ago in an antitrust case for anti-competitive behavior. The response? An exemption from antitrust laws. Today's Register tells about RIAA/MPAA's efforts to get just such an exemption written into law. They could become permanently exempt from such a suit, if the bill passes. They snuck it into a bill sponsored by Orrin Hatch called EnFORCE Act (Enhancing Federal Obscenity Reporting and Copyright Enforcement Act of 2003). Orrin Hatch says this bill contains "First... an antitrust exemption in the Copyright Act [for] record companies and music publishers" Why? Because of 'market realities.' Which ones? The 12-year-old girl? The 15-year-old girl? Or the 66-year-old Grandma with a Mac?"

Who the fuck does Orrin Hatch think he is? Should we also give anti-trust protection to the overzealous DirecTV who is suing people for simply possessing equipment that can be used to steal satellite tv? Doesn't anyone see the problem with this approach?

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2003-12-01 07:31pm

Unfortunately, their control in Washington makes this worrisome.

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2003-12-01 08:23pm

You go up to the average joe in the street and mention this issue to them and they reply with, "Huh?"

More people really need to become aware of the more hidden side of American politics.

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2003-12-01 08:39pm

Shinova wrote:You go up to the average joe in the street and mention this issue to them and they reply with, "Huh?"

More people really need to become aware of the more hidden side of American politics.

By hidden side I assume you mean the fact that the politicians in Washington seem to be far more concerned with the corporations and super-wealthy of America then the majority? Indeed, that is what is most scary about this. It is obvious to anyone with half a brain that the record companies are losing their importance (what exactly do these people do again?) yet the politicians will stop at nothing to save them from their own obsolescence.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-12-01 09:00pm

TheRegister.co.uk reported on this before. It is indeed a sad thing when such organisations can control democracy via monetary gain.

Iceberg · Post by **Iceberg** » 2003-12-01 09:36pm

The Kernel wrote:
Shinova wrote:You go up to the average joe in the street and mention this issue to them and they reply with, "Huh?"

More people really need to become aware of the more hidden side of American politics.
By hidden side I assume you mean the fact that the politicians in Washington seem to be far more concerned with the corporations and super-wealthy of America then the majority? Indeed, that is what is most scary about this. It is obvious to anyone with half a brain that the record companies are losing their importance (what exactly do these people do again?) yet the politicians will stop at nothing to save them from their own obsolescence.

Record companies and record moguls were important when the means to manufacture and distribute music were centralized and difficult to access. Now, any Joe with a band and a cable modem can record a dozen tracks and slap it up on his website.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2003-12-01 10:48pm

Heck, before long they'll be controlling currently legal uploads and downloads on the internet. Watch out, folks, if something isn't done about the RIAA and MPAA, we'll be in 1984.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-12-01 11:39pm

Bring back Teddy Roosevelt!

Kintaro · Post by **Kintaro** » 2003-12-02 12:03am

Shit, how much longer will this go on before the average person starts using his or her voting power to get these assholes out of power and put the RIAA and MPAA back in their places? We really need to inform people of this shit before the world of 1984 becomes reality.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-12-02 12:07am

Shinova wrote:More people really need to become aware of the more hidden side of American politics.

There's nothing hidden about it. Everyone outside your country knows that it's basically run by well-paid lobbyists and influence peddlers at the behest of the big corporations. But inside your country, no one can say that because then you must be "against business", which in turn means that you're "against the free market", which in turn means you're a hippie left-wing liberal tree-hugging peacenik.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2003-12-02 12:37am

Howedar wrote:Bring back Teddy Roosevelt!

AMEN!

What ever happened to good old progressive imperialist presidents?

No, really, Teddy Roosevelt is probably my favorite pres.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-12-02 12:44am

By far my favorite. The guy was just bad ass, there's no other word for it.

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2003-12-02 01:35am

Darth Wong wrote:
Shinova wrote:More people really need to become aware of the more hidden side of American politics.
There's nothing hidden about it. Everyone outside your country knows that it's basically run by well-paid lobbyists and influence peddlers at the behest of the big corporations. But inside your country, no one can say that because then you must be "against business", which in turn means that you're "against the free market", which in turn means you're a hippie left-wing liberal tree-hugging peacenik.

Don't underestimate our intelligence. Of course we know what is going on, its just that it is a very unpopular opinion (thanks mostly to Fox News) and most people seem to feel that any criticism of government is treason (thanks Ann Coulter). I would also say that even those who know what is going on don't know the level at which the corruption exists.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2003-12-02 03:34am

Wonder how long it'll be before the RIAA/MPAA ask for Congressional bailouts a la the airlines...

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-12-02 05:03am

Or crysler....

Yeah, let's hear it for TR....

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-12-02 05:09am

After all we need to preserve the enviornment so that future generations will be able to shoot something besides each other.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-12-02 10:23am

Darth Wong wrote:Everyone outside your country knows that it's basically run by well-paid lobbyists and influence peddlers at the behest of the big corporations. But inside your country, no one can say that because then you must be "against business", which in turn means that you're "against the free market", which in turn means you're a hippie left-wing liberal tree-hugging peacenik.

Hmmm.... this leads me to ask:

Does the fabled "Military-Industrial Complex" really exist and does it wield as much influence as conspiracy theorists believe??

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-12-02 10:29am

Simon H.Johansen wrote:Does the fabled "Military-Industrial Complex" really exist and does it wield as much influence as conspiracy theorists believe??

Yes, it does exist, and yes, it has much influence - but not as much as those conspiracy theorist nutters.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-12-02 10:32am

Darth Wong wrote:
Shinova wrote:More people really need to become aware of the more hidden side of American politics.
There's nothing hidden about it. Everyone outside your country knows that it's basically run by well-paid lobbyists and influence peddlers at the behest of the big corporations. But inside your country, no one can say that because then you must be "against business", which in turn means that you're "against the free market", which in turn means you're a hippie left-wing liberal tree-hugging peacenik.

Of course. Just because we expect fairness and impartiality from our judges doesn't mean that we should expect it from lawmakers. Maybe we'll see judicial lobbyists someday ...

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-12-02 11:13am

Durandal wrote:Of course. Just because we expect fairness and impartiality from our judges doesn't mean that we should expect it from lawmakers. Maybe we'll see judicial lobbyists someday ...

Don't you already have them? Supreme Court nominations are as political as any other process in your system.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-12-02 04:15pm

Yeah. Special interest groups mobilize in a big way during the process of Supreme Court nomination, approval, and appointment. We just haven't had a new Justice for years now.

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2003-12-02 04:48pm

Durran Korr wrote:Yeah. Special interest groups mobilize in a big way during the process of Supreme Court nomination, approval, and appointment. We just haven't had a new Justice for years now.

Which is exactly why judges should remain politically neutral and not make their personal feelings a matter of public record. The Supreme Court is about interpreting the Constitution, not pushing a private agenda.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-12-02 04:56pm

If they don't make their personal feelings public, their paper trail will do it for them.

Sharp-kun · Post by **Sharp-kun** » 2003-12-02 05:17pm

EmperorMing · Post by **EmperorMing** » 2003-12-03 04:42am

Geez, not that poster again. Go cry me a river...