If The Handbag Industry Took After The MPAA

from the not-all-that-far-fetched dept

Fri, Oct 24th 2008 6:22pm — Mike Masnick

Lauren sent in an amusing spoof put together by a website about handbags, looking at how the handbag industry would be different if it had the equivalent of the MPAA around. It's an amusing little satire, with things like demands that you not appear on YouTube with a handbag and getting threatened with lawsuits for sharing handbags. Then, of course there's Handbag Rights Management, which pisses off legitimate handbag buyers, but the industry insists is necessary to stop copying.

Of course, this might not be as far-fetched as it seems. Remember the 17th century French button makers? They tried to do something along these lines. And, the fashion industry (including handbag makers) have been pushing for new intellectual property restrictions, and claiming that if they don't get them, counterfeit fashion items will help terrorists (which is one of the points in the spoof post too!). It appears that truth may have beaten fiction to the punch line.

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Filed Under: drm, handbags
Companies: mpaa, riaa

28 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2008 @ 7:41pm

Except its much harder to make an unlimited number of perfect copies of handbags
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 1:58am

This article is crap.

I'm sorry, but there's no point, and the comparison between digital music/movie copying, and handbags, is just as crap.
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- Anonymous Coward, 26 Oct 2008 @ 8:00am
  
  Re:
  We all value your opinion. Please explain it. I read it and it makes sense to me, even if there's a few differences in the examples. Perhaps if you gave a better explanation of your point more of us could see it your way.
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Blatant Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 3:57am

Even the commenters so far are crap.
I welcome my new handbag overlords and hope for the WPAA to control my wallet choosing directly.
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Wolfy, 25 Oct 2008 @ 6:47am

The article was a hoot. The comments are lacking.
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Sean, 25 Oct 2008 @ 7:00am

Excellent idea and well executed.
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Sam, 25 Oct 2008 @ 7:35am

Makes better sense now
The person who supplied this link misses a point that makes the actual article more important.
Many people like me - old enough to remember 8-tracks and records and busy with parts of life that don't include ripping music for fun or profit - haven't paid attention to the events of the music and movie industry. This article brings to light some of the points that I as a casual observer have missed.

Comment 1. "Except its much harder to make an unlimited number of perfect copies of handbags"
Reply 1. Article's purpose is to 'what if' the situation of the movie and music industries on any other product, thereby helping those of us who haven't been following the RIAA or MPAA situation understand the problem without all the technology talk that you guys usually use when discussing this situation.

Comment 2. "This article is crap. I'm sorry, but there's no point, and the comparison between digital music/movie copying, and handbags, is just as crap."
Reply 2. The article isn't comparing those two subjects, just using one to help explain the other. I am aware of the things that are happening in the industry, but I didn't understand some of the problems they are causing.

I don't rent movies, buy new music, or burn copies of stuff for my friends. Until reading this article I didn't know that some cds or movies will only work on one player, or in my country but not another, or that if I downloaded music I can't put it on a CD, or that some of the people selling those rip off copies are sending the money they make to support terrorists. I sort of figured it was a bunch of Annonymous Cowards selling to their friends so they could buy porn and drugs. This article helped me understand the problem. Thanks!
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- Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2008 @ 4:52pm
  
  Re: Makes better sense now
  "I sort of figured it was a bunch of Annonymous Cowards selling to their friends so they could buy porn and drugs."
  You must be an old timer. Who the heck pays for porn these days? That'd be like paying for music.
  Better living through chemistry!
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No Six Pack, 25 Oct 2008 @ 8:06am

Brilliant
That is an outstanding article. Not only is it funny, but it also makes very good points. I would like to add that one could not display ones handbag in public where others could view it without paying royalties.

Sam, your comment is hilarious.

comments 1 & 2, get a sense of humour.
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- Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 4:04pm
  
  Re: Brilliant
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- Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 4:09pm
  
  Re: Brilliant
  Excellent point! After all, what's the point of owning a Prada bag if you can't show it off in public?
  Err...What's the point of noise ordinances these days when we can just sick the RIAA on all those people who play their car radios too loud?~
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  - Anonymous Coward, 26 Oct 2008 @ 8:05am
    
    Re: Re: Brilliant
    Of course! Loud music must be pirated, im pretty sure the RIAA has been quoted saying that (haha) ^_^
    Also remember that if you don't go to church every sunday or hold your spoon with your right hand your music is pirated and if you don't drive an american made car your music is pirated and if your toilet doesnt flush counter-clockwise and...
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- Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 4:11pm
  
  Re: Brilliant
  Excellent point! After all, what's the point of owning a Prada bag if you can't show it off in public?
  Err...What's the point of noise ordinances these days when we can just sick the RIAA on all those people who play their car radios too loud?~
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 8:36am

This article is somewhere between utter bullshit and the greatest thing there ever was. There either was a point or there wasn't.

Look, some folks aren't going to like it. Some folks are just trolls. Remember, arguing on the internet is like winning the special Olympics. Sure, you won, but you're still a huge fucking retard.
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- Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 10:09am
  
  Re:
  Ha ha ... Are you arguing on the internet ?
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 11:16am

where are you?
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 11:18am

Where are you writing this article from Mike?
Burning man festival?

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
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No Six Pack, 25 Oct 2008 @ 12:10pm

Incredible
Wow, I didn't realize there were so many handbag people that read this blog. It is funny that they would be offended by the linked article.
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Joe the smartass, 25 Oct 2008 @ 3:21pm

Uncomparable...........
As most people here have mentioned, digital media and handbags are not comparable. It is just another meaningless website created by sand-in-vagina people.

Reminds me the joke that compares computers and cars!
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 5:40pm

Sam, I'm sorry that you live in the dark ages. Its still a bad analogy as handbags cannot be copied in the same way mp3s can. The what if part has not happened with handbags because they are not so easy to copy. The problem at hand applies to goods that are available in unlimited quantities - where anyone can make perfect copies.
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- No Six Pack, 25 Oct 2008 @ 6:57pm
  
  Re:
  "handbags cannot be copied in the same way mp3s can"
  
  ..... Duh
  
  "The what if part has not happened with handbags"
  
  ..... Enter the following in Google search
  counterfeit handbag
  
  "Its still a bad analogy"
  
  ..... I took the linked article as satirical humour and as such I laughed my ass off. Too bad you did not enjoy it.
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Oct 2008 @ 6:56pm

Are you still bitter about getting canned after the internet bubble burst?
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Anonymous Coward, 26 Oct 2008 @ 12:56am

You all can solve this Problem too, even though it is as big as it is, by just voteing for JOHN McCain. Now theres your HUMOUR !!
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- Anonymous Coward, 26 Oct 2008 @ 8:08am
  
  Re:
  The only solution to a greatly overblown "solution" is an equally or greater solution to that "solution". I say anarchy and rebellion. Call out the minute men!!
  Lol, I love reading the comments on these things. Especially when people are just like "This article is crap" without ever saying why. We can tell your opinion is of great value by the amount of work you put into explaining it ^_^
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Sam, 26 Oct 2008 @ 5:25am

Who's arguing?
Just providing a contradictory opinion about the articles validity. Satire is wasted on so many people. By the way it's not the dark ages I live in, it is a sort of sunshin fantasy world where everything is fair and balanced.
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Bob, 26 Oct 2008 @ 7:08pm

ANALogy
Personally I think the first 4 letters of the word ANALogy perfectly explains the people who don't get the ANALogy.
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Brad, 27 Oct 2008 @ 4:31pm

Photo from French Border
To everyone who thinks this "doesn't happen" or is a bad analogy - here's a picture I took in the customs area of a French / Swiss border crossing.

http://flickr.com/photos/calciphus/2925931993/

Note the picture: it is of a cheap cellphone case that bears a few logos of Prada (I think).
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- No Six Pack, 27 Oct 2008 @ 5:47pm
  
  Re: Photo from French Border
  How does one prove that the particular item in their possession is indeed authentic ?
  
  Not only are you now asked for your papers, but also papers for everything in your possession.
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