The notion that the record labels are overstepping their bounds and using government to protect their increasingly fragile cartel may be breaking through to a whole new audience. An editorial out today delivers just that message, the labels have gone too far. "We aren't all pirates", straight from the editorial page of today's L.A. Times. This is a piece of newsprint that you can bet was delivered directly to the door of many a record executive this morning.
"what the entertainment industry is seeking in this year's proposals isn't merely protection from piracy; it's after increased leverage to protect its business models.That's why lawmakers must bear in mind the balance needed between copyright holders' interests and the public's"
It's nice, for once, to see someone echoing to a much wider audience what I say day after day . The Times also brings to the table one of my hot-button digital rights issues, the systematic stifling of innovation.
"Clearly, the industry-backed proposals would do more than just defend copyrighted works from pirates. They also would impinge on devices that have legitimate uses and steer the development of technology, cutting off some innovation."
Regular readers of mine will immediately recognize this refrain. My thanks today goes to the L.A. Times, for sticking the right message in the hands of relevant people, as well as widening the context of this exceedingly important debate.
1. Grant, great article. Check out Songbird if you haven't already: http://songbirdnest.com
We are building a media player that is open to any service and device.
Also a few more links you might like:
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/21/rightwing_thinktank_.html
http://www.songbirdnest.com/tim-on-itunes
Posted at 7:59AM on Jul 11th 2006 by Nivi