Microsoft and the RIAA are both suffering from the same problem - the inability to come to grips with the fact that their products are, all of a sudden, worth a lot less.
Both profited in the past from a system under which they were the only suppliers. Technology(file sharing) and altruism(F/OSS) have since produced viable alternatives to their products, consequentially destroying their previously sheltered markets.
Both are relying on increasingly ridiculous and insulting means to avoid dealing with this reality.
Microsoft wants to keep pretending that a PC operating system is worth $200US and the RIAA wants to pretend that they are still the final arbiter of popular music availability and value.
It should be a simple matter to sue people who refuse to sit through the ads and lobby Congress for stronger penalties for people who use technological means to strip ads from the content.
There are thousands of culturally significant symphonies that will be never be written because there's just no money to be made from classical music concerts. For some reason (piracy?) the buying public's just not interested and there's so much competing (free) content out there.
You know, I used to make these fantastic paper airplanes and sell them. I got better and better and the planes got more complex (and didn't fly as well) and then, suddenly, other people figured out how to make them and the bottom fell out of the market.
I tried to get Congress to pass laws banning people from copying my designs, but they laughed at me.
Won't be long before the oil industry will be complaining about not being able to sell $5/Gal gas because of all these energy "pirates" using their Mr. Fusions to run their cars.
Don't you just hate it when technology makes things easier/cheaper/better?
Egads! Don't tell them that! Next thing you know, the 'rightsholders' will be petitioning Congress for the right to look for their ads on our computers.
"Or why can I no longer exit wal-mart or k-mart without being subject to having my property searched?"
Actually, you don't have to submit to that store-exit search.
You can ask to be arrested (highly unlikely). I remember reading somewhere about a person who does that to protest the practice - but I can't remember the source of the story. Boingboing maybe?
Re: I can see this in college or med school or law
"Schools have enough problems keeping textbooks current."
My assumption here would be that the tablets would be electronically updated. This is probably the only good point of the idea - the tablets would stay very current just by something simple like passing it by a special wireless point
More than likely, the tablets will also incorporate draconian DRM systems which will force the schools to renew the license every semester and make sure that no one will be able to buy a used book (tablet) to replace one that's lost, destroyed or stolen.
If they're really thinkin', they'll lock the tablet to a retinal scan of the particular student so therer won't be any of that dastardly, profit-robbing sharing.
The Check 2000 legislation, which went into effect in 2005, allows banks to draft your account based on a digital image of your check, effectively reducing or eliminating the old-fashioned "float" nature of check writing.
In other words, you used to be able to write a check two days before getting paid with the somewhat comforting knowledge that there was no way the check could hit your bank for at least three days - that's no longer the case.
What's interesting to note about this legislation is that it doesn't require a bank to post payments to your account any quicker - they can still hold even a cashier's written to you for up to ten days.
On the post: Some 25 Years Later, In-Flight Internet Nearing Reality
Next Step
So when does Airfone whip out the patents and start suing everyone?
MjM
On the post: Microsoft's Plan For The Bottom Of The Pyramid: Rent To Own
The Truth is...
Both profited in the past from a system under which they were the only suppliers. Technology(file sharing) and altruism(F/OSS) have since produced viable alternatives to their products, consequentially destroying their previously sheltered markets.
Both are relying on increasingly ridiculous and insulting means to avoid dealing with this reality.
Microsoft wants to keep pretending that a PC operating system is worth $200US and the RIAA wants to pretend that they are still the final arbiter of popular music availability and value.
feh.
MjM
On the post: WiFi: The Great Communist Conspiracy?
All Right
It's time to compile the official TechDirt Enemies List!
bastards...
MjM
On the post: Advertisers Use DVR Data To Demand Lower Ad Prices
Past Experience
It should be a simple matter to sue people who refuse to sit through the ads and lobby Congress for stronger penalties for people who use technological means to strip ads from the content.
MjM
On the post: The Answer To The $200 Million Movie Question
On a Related Note...
There are thousands of culturally significant symphonies that will be never be written because there's just no money to be made from classical music concerts. For some reason (piracy?) the buying public's just not interested and there's so much competing (free) content out there.
You know, I used to make these fantastic paper airplanes and sell them. I got better and better and the planes got more complex (and didn't fly as well) and then, suddenly, other people figured out how to make them and the bottom fell out of the market.
I tried to get Congress to pass laws banning people from copying my designs, but they laughed at me.
MjM
On the post: The Answer To The $200 Million Movie Question
Wait for It
Won't be long before the oil industry will be complaining about not being able to sell $5/Gal gas because of all these energy "pirates" using their Mr. Fusions to run their cars.
Don't you just hate it when technology makes things easier/cheaper/better?
MjM
On the post: Yes, Ads Can Be Content Too
Egads! Don't tell them that! Next thing you know, the 'rightsholders' will be petitioning Congress for the right to look for their ads on our computers.
MjM
On the post: Extending And Expanding The DMCA
Re: So stupid...
"Or why can I no longer exit wal-mart or k-mart without being subject to having my property searched?"
Actually, you don't have to submit to that store-exit search.
You can ask to be arrested (highly unlikely). I remember reading somewhere about a person who does that to protest the practice - but I can't remember the source of the story. Boingboing maybe?
MjM
On the post: Tablet PCs To Replace Textbooks, Gates Says
Re: I can see this in college or med school or law
"Schools have enough problems keeping textbooks current."
My assumption here would be that the tablets would be electronically updated. This is probably the only good point of the idea - the tablets would stay very current just by something simple like passing it by a special wireless point
MjM
On the post: Tablet PCs To Replace Textbooks, Gates Says
Probably Good for Publishers
More than likely, the tablets will also incorporate draconian DRM systems which will force the schools to renew the license every semester and make sure that no one will be able to buy a used book (tablet) to replace one that's lost, destroyed or stolen.
If they're really thinkin', they'll lock the tablet to a retinal scan of the particular student so therer won't be any of that dastardly, profit-robbing sharing.
;) MjM
On the post: Steve Jobs Wasn't Lying When He Said $1 Per Song Price Would Stay
Clueless is the Perfect Word
What are we - ten years into the internet revolution and these people still don't get it?
They're not in charge any more. The days of the record labels controlling which music and artists get what distribution are over.
Stifle, already.
MjM
On the post: And They Wonder Why People Don't Like Newspapers Anymore?
Bug Me Not, Not
I don't use BugMeNot. When I hit a registration link for an online news source, I find the "contact us" link and I leave this comment:
"I don't read news I have to register for. If you want to increase traffic, remove your registration.
"Sincerely MjM"
MjM
On the post: Next You'll Have To Register Every Time You View A Website In China
I'ts a Race!
Between the US and China to out-big-brother each other
http://news.com.com/ISP+snooping+gaining+support/2100-1028_3-6061187.html?tag=nefd.lede
How long can the current administration bleat about "spreading democracy" while simultaneously aping the last major Communist dictatorship?
MjM
On the post: Electronic Wire Transfer Slower Than Mailing Cash
Check 2000
In other words, you used to be able to write a check two days before getting paid with the somewhat comforting knowledge that there was no way the check could hit your bank for at least three days - that's no longer the case.
What's interesting to note about this legislation is that it doesn't require a bank to post payments to your account any quicker - they can still hold even a cashier's written to you for up to ten days.
MjM
On the post: RIAA Turns Its Money Extractor Ray On Satellite Radio
No Subject Given
I want a money-extractor ray!
MjM
On the post: Moving Target: Microsoft's Relevant Search Engine Is Forever Six Months Out
Leverage
So, you don't think that setting the default internet search engine to MSN in:
-
Outlook
-
Office
-
IE
-
Windows Explorer
-
Access
-
Windows Media Player
-
Movie Maker
-
Paint
-
Solitaire and
-
Pinball
...will be enough to turn the tide?MjM
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