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SAVE the Betamax! (only ONE day left!)
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| allen_k |
http://www.savebetamax.org/
Why Save Betamax?
The short version: We're organizing a call-in day to Congress on September 14 to oppose new legislation that would undermine the Betamax decision (INDUCE Act). Sign up on the right.
Here's why: The Betamax VCR died more than 15 years ago, but the Supreme Court decision that made the Betamax and all other VCRs legal lived on. In Sony vs. Universal (known as the Betamax decision) the Court ruled that because VCRs have legitimate uses, the technology is legal—even if some people use it to copy movies. Of course, the movie industry was lucky it lost the case against VCRs, because home video soon became Hollywood's largest source of revenue. And the freedom to use and develop new technology that was protected by the Betamax decision set the stage for the incredible growth in computer technology we've seen in the last few decades.
Hollywood is Trying to Kill Betamax :whip:
The Betamax ruling is the only thing that protects your right to own a VCR, tape recorder, CD-burner, DVD-burner, iPod, or TiVo. It's that important. But new legislation that's being pushed through the Senate by lobbyists for the music and movie industries would override the Betamax decision and create a huge liability for any business that makes products which can copy sound or video. This legislation (formerly known as the INDUCE Act) would essentially give Hollywood veto power over a huge range of new technologies. And if they get this power, they'll definitely use it: just as they tried to stomp out the VCR in the 70's and 80's, the music and movie industries want to force all content to go through their own restricted channels.
Please go to http://www.savebetamax.org/ for more info. |
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| IntoTrance |
| I don't think this legislation will ever pass.. those products listed are valuable to each company that produces them. These sources of revenue are essential to these companies and these companies are essential to the national economy. |
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| allen_k |
| But what if it DOES pass? :whip: |
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| tribu |
| quote: | Originally posted by IntoTrance
I don't think this legislation will ever pass.. those products listed are valuable to each company that produces them. These sources of revenue are essential to these companies and these companies are essential to the national economy. |
I disagree.
As we have been discussing in an unnamed chat, companies currently owning the technology can easily pawn the patents off to the highest (entertainment company) bidder. These new owners can either continue to release it (likely) or sit on it (less likely). But all the while, by owning the technology, theyll have the ability to make a homogenous format that will be securely encrypted. Imagine a world where you can only watch Miramax films on a digital miramax player. Then Fox Films only on a Fox player (likely, there wouldnt be seperate players but one unit with capabilities provided by add-ons sold by each company). This may not be where we're going, but why simply assume the legislation wont pass? Being a little pro-active can go a long way...
| quote: | | If they can please their donors without a big fuss, they will. It's bad policy, but until we start making noise, it's smart politics. |
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| Q5echo |
| hollywood fat cats are only liberal when its conveeeeeenient:D |
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| ResonantDrag |
| quote: | Originally posted by Q5echo
hollywood fat cats are only liberal when its conveeeeeenient:D |
:conf:
do you mean that they're going conservative in asking for legislation that in fact enlarges the governmental role in our lives... wait, but... big government? huh?... someone... help...
this law can't pass because we have republican majority. they're against big government, right? or they'll just say "let the state's decide". then why does this sound ridiculus? why is this even an issue? so many questions. must resist the urge to go on another tyrade about the false facade of the neo-conservatives. going to sleep instead. good-night. |
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| DaveSZ |
Washington is currently run by lobbyists and corporations, and the people are shut out almost completely.
I wouldn't be surprised if this passes, but the real question is would it be upheld by this Supreme Court? |
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| Q5echo |
| quote: | Originally posted by ResonantDrag
:conf:
do you mean that they're going conservative in asking for legislation that in fact enlarges the governmental role in our lives... wait, but... big government? huh?... someone... help...
this law can't pass because we have republican majority. they're against big government, right? or they'll just say "let the state's decide". then why does this sound ridiculus? why is this even an issue? so many questions. must resist the urge to go on another tyrade about the false facade of the neo-conservatives. going to sleep instead. good-night. |
to me, it seems they want their cake and to eat it too. socially, as a whole, the big wigs and the masses seem to agree but when it comes to the issue "bling" control its an entirely different political ball game.
but your right. its neither here nor there. just ranting:) |
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| ResonantDrag |
i think the worse case scenerio regarding this issue will be that the supreme court will uphold it's 80s verdict with regards to the hardware use. the legality question lies in the software used for production of these "illegal" media. which, if they play golf with the right people, may cause the availability of said programs to legally diminish.
my advice would be to keep your present copies of nero and Dr. DivX in case it goes through. the appeal process could take a while, unless it becomes high profile, then the court could take it as soon as right after the election. if the bill is as broad-sweeping as i'm led to believe, we probably don't have anything to worry about. this isn't the kind of bill that will pass through during an election year. or so me thinks:) |
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| Dupz |
Who cares if the legislation passes????? i mean, it's only US legislation..
Most of the decent equiptment is made in countries OTHER than the US anyway, and they'll be uninhibited by this.
Lets hope it doesnt get out of hand anyway :) |
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