You've kick-started my memory. A long time ago, we needed a little gate thingy to contain the kids. There was one, but the company that made them had a restricted supply (later I heard that a marketing guy was trying to create an artificial shortage to justify higher prices; I don't know if that was true or not, but they were not freely available).
Anyway, I finally built my own, using their ideas. I was undoubtedly (using today's logic) guilty of patent infringement or , though at that time it just caused the salesman to look unhappy about the lost sale.
I think there is a parallel here.
True, and it has a HUGE downside.
Suddenly, for the first time in history, very, very large numbers of people can be "artists"; contributing nothing of any great value to society (true, some provide a "thrill", which to some people is "all that matters" (as they eat food they have not earned, and rest in comfortable surroundings provided by other people)).
Art (including music, etc.) is important and satisfying, but it is a SIDE ISSUE for life! The important things are in the satisfaction of the basic needs, not listening to a song, or looking at a picture!
Entertainment is getting more and more an outlet for implied welfare. True, there are some serious entertainers out there (none that are that concerned about making money; they make great art and the compensation "happens" - well, with some sort of business plan, anyway).
There are huge numbers of "bloodsuckers" out there, though - going to college, or even trade school, is not an option; it is beneath the dignity of an "artiste" - and it involves actually providing something of TRUE value!
I don't admire Hedy Lamarr because she was a "great artist", I admire her because she invented the technology cell phones are based on. Without that, I would as soon forget her.
So long as the money supply of the middle class continues to be siphoned away in the "No New Taxes" (aka Welfare for the Wealthy) programs, spending that much money on a "grand gesture" (which, by the way, likely gains votes in Florida, where the space program is centered) IS lunacy, no matter what space program advocates say.
Increase the money supply for the middle class, by bringing the money back from the one percent, and then we can consider it (though I believe it would still be a bad idea).
If I were an (evil) attorney for the government, I would want to destroy anything showing legitimate usage; that way, I would have evidence of (some) infringement, and NO evidence of legal usage.
Shouldn't there be a movement to have Congress (or someone) intercede? If that data is destroyed, how do you show there was any legal use of the site?
First, I would like to do as Mike suggests; find out what makes sense, but 56 years is MUCH better than the present!
Second, I have written both Feinstein and Boxer on this. Feinstein has responded, has slowly but surely changed her stance toward serving the public, but Boxer has not answered, and supposedly got HUGE payoffs from big entertainment!
If you care about internet freedom, help Boxer find a new occupation; out of politics. I will.
Well written article, well thought out. It highlights a problem, but like the remark "gets left on the side of the road", it causes us to focus on a big problem while we ignore a BIG problem - "No New Taxes (for the wealthy)". I added the stuff in () because OBVIOUSLY taking money away from education, "slimming down government" (which is admitted to be defunding EPA and FDA, etc., so that unscrupulous people can poison us, as is true in China) - these things are a burden on the middle class - A TAX! As long as we recognize that a "tax" is a burden, whether money out or money withheld, we have to recognize that "No New Taxes" means increasing taxes on the middle class so you can give the financial benefit to the wealthy!
You certainly highlight a problem. The GOP is firmly committed to "No New Taxes", aka "Welfare for the Wealthy". It has been shown by several people that the key to a vibrant middle class is MONEY SUPPLY, and as long as we continue to concentrate more and more wealth in the hands of the extremely wealthy (and out of the middle class) incomes will continue to fall (for the 99 percent) and the middle class will shrink. That's important.
But the Democrats are slow to recognize the threat of SOPA and PIPA. Important, yes, as important as destroying the middle class, NO!
However, with a characteristically unthinking, knee-jerk reaction, the "informed people" will kill themselves by supporting the GOP (and more "Welfare for the Wealthy). Smart, really smart - I don't think!
You said: "Of course, even that statement is wrong. The Constitution does not guarantee property rights for innovators. It allows Congress to create limited monopoly privileges if (and only if) they promote the progress of science and the useful arts."
GOOD FOR YOU! As an IP attorney, I am constantly amazed and disheartened by how many people don't understand that!
Even my title, "IP attorney", is misleading. It isn't property. It is a right given for a limited duration (except for copyright, where it seems to be permanent).
With great transparency and for special occasions, this is a SHORT TERM good idea; but like a small leak in a dam, eventually some (paid) PR person would find a way "to earn the money they are being paid" and compromise the system.
Jimmy Wales is right.
"...such hearings and education can (and should) happen in due time, rather than rushing to get them in, just as Congress comes back into session. There are more important things for Congress to focus on."
Not sure I agree; this is one of the most important (and potentially disastrous) matters facing Congress, IMHO.
You said " Daisey says the answer is labor standards -- and that may very well be a workable solution. But it might also mean that some of the workers, who start from the same place as those who were able to build themselves up from incredibly poor to a form of middle class, might never get that chance."
Does not compute. You appear to be saying no one in the US, where we have labor standards, can do that.
I did - from welfare as a child to multimillionaire.
I am very opposed to the current attitude of "pegging" on an extreme position (a major problem in Congress as well as generally), however, here I agree with you.
Copyright is so horribly broken perhaps it should be abolished, even if an innocent few are harmed.
Large entity patents, which have become synonymous with patent abuse, IMHO, are indeed a problem. In fact, I totally agree with you that they inhibit innovation and harm the economy.
However, it is a ridiculous stretch to say "all patents are bad" as a consequence. That is like saying "if you are lost in the ocean, you will drown, so water is bad".
Good article, good editorial with it. Congrats to both of you.
I will add, there is a real fear in Hollywood that young people with great ideas (well, and execution) will "break their rice bowl" with disruptive new things, and they know they won't be the ones generating these new game changers.
I am unclear on why we as a society continually see local communities as some sort of answer!
As much as I believe the author is on the right track, it always makes better sense for the "community" to be as large as possible, since then the resources needed for high quality are not an undue burden on the individual. So, allowing the public to view the output, fine; administering such things at the local level? Grow up!
The main problem is that the Supreme Court (the worst ever) decided it was okay for Big Money to buy politicians. That said, we need some way of breaking this deadly cycle before it destroys us (as you said).
Right on!
Two points:
1. Worst Supreme Court ever. The only SC to elect a President in violation of the wishes of the public.
2. "Pegging" at an extreme position undermines your argument. I will listen to reasonable people, but people who take very extreme, emotional positions on a subject are not compelling.
I am not sure how the UK administers TMs (trademarks). If it is like the US, then I agree; but that is because the US has insanely broad interpretations of the TM laws.
Even so, suppose I have spent a lot of time building a market for my (expensive and very excellent) candies. Suppose also that people buy "looks-like" stuff (in a hurry, checking out, see that "good stuff" in the purple package, grab it).
Without a TM, sleazy opportunists would put junky stuff out at Cadbury prices, and purposely make it look like Cadbury's. Trying to prove they were being jackasses is difficult and expensive, proving they used your color is MUCH easier (and better for the consumer, since you take away the principle source of confusion).
On the post: Paramount Wants To Talk To Students About How They're All Thieves & Then Ask For Ideas On What To Do
"Content theft"
Anyway, I finally built my own, using their ideas. I was undoubtedly (using today's logic) guilty of patent infringement or , though at that time it just caused the salesman to look unhappy about the lost sale.
I think there is a parallel here.
On the post: We're Living In the Most Creative Time In History
Most Creative Time in History
Suddenly, for the first time in history, very, very large numbers of people can be "artists"; contributing nothing of any great value to society (true, some provide a "thrill", which to some people is "all that matters" (as they eat food they have not earned, and rest in comfortable surroundings provided by other people)).
Art (including music, etc.) is important and satisfying, but it is a SIDE ISSUE for life! The important things are in the satisfaction of the basic needs, not listening to a song, or looking at a picture!
On the post: Pro-SOPA Folks Push Fact-Challenged Op-Eds
Consider the lilies in the valley ....
There are huge numbers of "bloodsuckers" out there, though - going to college, or even trade school, is not an option; it is beneath the dignity of an "artiste" - and it involves actually providing something of TRUE value!
I don't admire Hedy Lamarr because she was a "great artist", I admire her because she invented the technology cell phones are based on. Without that, I would as soon forget her.
On the post: DailyDirt: To The Moon, Alice!
When you consider the expense ....
Increase the money supply for the middle class, by bringing the money back from the one percent, and then we can consider it (though I believe it would still be a bad idea).
On the post: Megaupload Users Plan To Sue... As Their Files & Data Are About To Be Destroyed
Megaupload potential data destruction
Shouldn't there be a movement to have Congress (or someone) intercede? If that data is destroyed, how do you show there was any legal use of the site?
On the post: Another Interesting White House Petition: Reduce The Term Of Copyright
Copyright, etc.
Second, I have written both Feinstein and Boxer on this. Feinstein has responded, has slowly but surely changed her stance toward serving the public, but Boxer has not answered, and supposedly got HUGE payoffs from big entertainment!
If you care about internet freedom, help Boxer find a new occupation; out of politics. I will.
On the post: What Is ACTA And Why Is It A Problem?
ACTA
On the post: Senator Leahy Hands Republicans A Gift By Giving Them Credit For Delaying Vote On PIPA/SOPA
SOPA and Democrats
But the Democrats are slow to recognize the threat of SOPA and PIPA. Important, yes, as important as destroying the middle class, NO!
However, with a characteristically unthinking, knee-jerk reaction, the "informed people" will kill themselves by supporting the GOP (and more "Welfare for the Wealthy). Smart, really smart - I don't think!
On the post: Staunch SOPA Supporter, Marsha Blackburn, Says It's Time To Scrap SOPA
Marsha Blackburn post
GOOD FOR YOU! As an IP attorney, I am constantly amazed and disheartened by how many people don't understand that!
Even my title, "IP attorney", is misleading. It isn't property. It is a right given for a limited duration (except for copyright, where it seems to be permanent).
On the post: Should PR People Be Able To Edit Otherwise Ignored Wikipedia Pages Of Their Clients To Correct Errors?
PR people editing Wikipedia
Jimmy Wales is right.
On the post: SOPA Delayed; Cantor Promises It Won't Be Brought To The Floor Until 'Issues Are Addressed'
SOPA and the House of Representatives
Not sure I agree; this is one of the most important (and potentially disastrous) matters facing Congress, IMHO.
On the post: Exploring The Factories Where All Our Gadgets Are Made
CES
Does not compute. You appear to be saying no one in the US, where we have labor standards, can do that.
I did - from welfare as a child to multimillionaire.
On the post: Online News Association Comes Out Against SOPA/PIPA
How long will SOPA and PROTECT-IP be supported in Congress?
On the post: The Insanity Of Copyright Law: When Even Professionals Have No Idea They're Breaking The Law
Copyright
Copyright is so horribly broken perhaps it should be abolished, even if an innocent few are harmed.
On the post: Kodak Planning To File For Bankruptcy In Order To Sell Off Its Patents
Kodak and patents
Large entity patents, which have become synonymous with patent abuse, IMHO, are indeed a problem. In fact, I totally agree with you that they inhibit innovation and harm the economy.
However, it is a ridiculous stretch to say "all patents are bad" as a consequence. That is like saying "if you are lost in the ocean, you will drown, so water is bad".
On the post: David Carr Explains Why Everyone Should Be Against SOPA
SOPA and its consequences
I will add, there is a real fear in Hollywood that young people with great ideas (well, and execution) will "break their rice bowl" with disruptive new things, and they know they won't be the ones generating these new game changers.
On the post: Beyond The Internet Of Things Towards A Sensor Commons
Sensors
As much as I believe the author is on the right track, it always makes better sense for the "community" to be as large as possible, since then the resources needed for high quality are not an undue burden on the individual. So, allowing the public to view the output, fine; administering such things at the local level? Grow up!
On the post: Some Data On How Much The Big Media Firms Are Donating To SOPA/PIPA Sponsors
Politicians and Big Money
Right on!
On the post: Red Cross Wants Real Life Laws Enforced Within Virtual Worlds
Red Cross and Video Games
1. Worst Supreme Court ever. The only SC to elect a President in violation of the wishes of the public.
2. "Pegging" at an extreme position undermines your argument. I will listen to reasonable people, but people who take very extreme, emotional positions on a subject are not compelling.
On the post: The Color Purple... Trademarked Again
TM on the color purple
Even so, suppose I have spent a lot of time building a market for my (expensive and very excellent) candies. Suppose also that people buy "looks-like" stuff (in a hurry, checking out, see that "good stuff" in the purple package, grab it).
Without a TM, sleazy opportunists would put junky stuff out at Cadbury prices, and purposely make it look like Cadbury's. Trying to prove they were being jackasses is difficult and expensive, proving they used your color is MUCH easier (and better for the consumer, since you take away the principle source of confusion).
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