[NTLUG:Discuss] MI2 boycott

[Jeremy Blosser]

Brian Koontz [pongo at cinnabar.valtech.com] wrote:
> Ian Alexander wrote:
> > Let me know what you think... this is an important issue, and central to
> > the public's right for software freedom.
> 
> Given the recent RIAA court win over mp3.com, this doesn't really sound
> like a real good time to try and support "software freedom" using DeCSS
> as the foundation.  Let's face it:  With all the publicity Napster and
> Gnutella have received the last few weeks, it's hard to believe the
> general public (read: non-programmers) will really be able to draw fine
> lines of distinction between software freedom and perceived piracy
> issues.

I have to disagree.  First, the general public is fairly open to hearing
what's really going on if they get a chance -- but that's not happening
from the major news sources (who are owned by you know who, suprise
suprise).

Second, the recent decisions make it all the more imperative that we do
something now, while there is still something to be done.  If we sit arond
until things quiet down, we are going to lose.  And if we lose the DeCSS
fight, we're establishing some pretty dangerious precedents about fair use
that we've fought a long time to keep.

Third, it's not a fine line.  There is a large difference between dubbing
something so you can sell it, and just wanting to view what you yourself
legally bought.

-- 
Jeremy Blosser   |   jblosser at firinn.org   |   http://jblosser.firinn.org/
-----------------+-------------------------+------------------------------
the crises posed a question / just beneath the skin
the virtue in my veins replied / that quitters never win