Crookes, RIAA, MPAA, ICE — 'Linking Is Publishing'

newtley writes "What do Canada's Wayne Crookes, the Big 4's RIAA, Hollywood's MPAA and brand new ICE agent Andrew Reynolds have in common? They all claim linking is the same as publishing. Crookes is using it to demand Canada's Supreme Court effectively shut down the net in Canada. With the RIAA and MPAA providing the 'initiative,' the Obama government is using Andrews [read ICE — US Immigration and Customs Enforcement] to try to shut down innocent sites for, and on behalf of, Hollywood and Big Music. The sites are 'accused of contributing to online piracy, and it was essential for the domain names to be seized without a trial and without giving the sites a chance to respond. Why? Such sites are 'destroying the US economy.' Forget about legally appointed courts, proof or due process. Hollywood and Big Music rule."

Re:This isn't helping.

[bmo]

When I was a poor teen, we didn't have money for software. Most stuff was acquired through erm.. clubs, and copied from school or work.

And $300 is still a chunk of change if you're a college student trying to meet rent on a part time job. It may be more than fair, but still, you don't see Adobe making it impossible to pirate their stuff, which they are more than capable of doing.

Because every poor teenager/student they deny copyright infringement to is a lost customer after college graduation.

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BMO

Re:This isn't helping.

[dnaumov]

I imagine they tolerate student piracy so that those students will go on to become professional users and pay for a licence

Adobe offers a student license for a very affordable price. Last I looked it was $300 for a specialized suite of CS5 programs.

WTF, are you insane? My girlfriend (who is a student) will eat for 1 1/2 months on that 300$. Affordable my ass.

Re:This isn't helping.

[twocows]

As a student, I can safely say $300 is out of my, and many of my friends', price range. No student's going to pay $300 for something they can get for free when we're struggling to get by as it is.

Re:This isn't helping.

[sconeu]

Where do you get that he downloads? I read it as he doesn't buy new, he doesn't download, he just buys used.

Re:This isn't helping.

[pspahn]

Except for the fact that the student editions licensing restrictions stating you are not to use it for commercial

You are entirely incorrect. Read this FAQ [adobe.com] specifically:

Can I use my Adobe Student and Teacher Edition software for commercial use? Yes. You may purchase a Student and Teacher Edition for personal as well as commercial use.