The RIAA and MPAA Target Day-Job Downloaders 293
BrianUofR points to this USA Today article, which says "the Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association of America are sending a six-page brochure this week to Fortune 1000 corporations with suggested policies -- including a sample memo to workers warning them against using company computers to download songs and movies."
One word... (Score:3, Informative)
It is finally starting to work well enough to be useful. It still needs people to create mp3-specific freesites to allow people to find mp3s easily, but this could be the motivation.
Freenet -- (Score:4, Insightful)
You can whine and kvetch all day long about how wondeful are, but the simple fact of the matter is that the fact that you have to install a virtual machine [freenetproject.org] to run Freenet makes it useful only to people who understand how to install a virtual machine.
There are ways to compile Java to platform-specific binaries that don't require a virtual machine to run. The freenet project should make binaries like this available for download for PC and Macintosh. Doing otherwise is shooting themselves in the foot for the sake of shooting themselves in the foot.
Re:Freenet -- (Score:3, Insightful)
Quick! (Score:5, Funny)
--sex [slashdot.org]
Re:Quick! (Score:5, Funny)
Damn you Kazaa polluters!
Re:Quick! (Score:3, Funny)
who doesn't know that a dolphin's ejaculate comes out with enough force to rip a hole in your colon.
Oh, I know that all too well..
Re:Quick! (Score:2)
*snicker*
do you wanna bet... (Score:4, Interesting)
ALSO, how many managers will take their threats for real?
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:4, Insightful)
A manager with any common sense, however, might well note this article with their direct reports - giving them a heads-up (if they already didn't know) that P2P at work is a bad idea...
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:5, Insightful)
So I'm happy to have someone giving ammunition to help put these slackers out of business. The company doesn't need them, and they waste the resources for which I am responsible. Whether they are canned because the CEO worries over his company's legitimate potential liability to the evil conglomerates or because these people are being paid to work and are goofing off instead, means nothing to me. They are abusing company property for personal gain and should be fired. A warning letter like this is a valuable policy tool. That I personally do not care for the conglomerates' heavy-handed tactics does nothing to lessen the validity of their fundamental argument, and does nothing to diminish the value of a document issued by Legal telling slackers to knock off the network abuse.
Your use of Kazaa to steal from those who purchased the musicians is for any reasonable person equal to Microsoft including linux/sched.c in the next version of Windows or to that scruffy-looking man outside stealing my car. All three hypothetical offenders are taking from others without permission. A pity they don't hang cattle rustlers any longer.
Why is The Man trying to keep me down?? (Score:5, Insightful)
has to say from a purely (owning the network
and having to deal with all the bullshit)
perspective. I'm all for anything that's going
to mean that I don't have to waste a considerable
amount of time writting/revamping scripts to look
for the latest file sharing software. A few places
I've been already have strong stances on this stuff
because it costs a company a SHITLOAD of money for
bandwidth to support the 15 girls in customer
service, 10 guys in tech support, and ALL the guys
in admin that are downloading 30 gigs of movies,
mp3s, and warez a day. My opinion is, what happens
out of work is out of work. Do that shit at home.
Hell, I don't care if you bring a cd you burned
at home to work with your 200 alan jackson songs
on it. Just don't create work and trouble for me.
Stick to playing solitaire and minesweeper and all
the other important things you do on your wintel
machines. Save the bandwidth for important things
like first person shooters.
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:2, Troll)
While I agree with you on using company network for downloading music, I think this last paragraph is misguided.
The "crime" we are talking about is called "Copyright Violation". It's not stealing. When I make a copy of something I don't deprive anyone of anything. Would you stop the guy outside from taking a picture of your car?
Depriving someone from potential profit is not in the same ballpark as stealing a material object.
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:5, Insightful)
Would you try to stop Microsoft from using GPL'd code in a closed-source product? After all, if someone uses GPL'd code in a closed-source product it's just a copy.
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:4, Insightful)
The point of GPL is to say, yes, you can copy my code, and then others will copy yours as well.
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:2)
Incidentally, you may wish to check out the FSF's GPL FAQ [fsf.org]. It helps to clear up these misconceptions.
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:2)
Copyright infringment is NOT theft by any definition. Lok up theft in a dictornay or the law books sometime.
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:2)
The "crime" we are talking about is called "Copyright Violation". It's not stealing. When I make a copy of something I don't deprive anyone of anything.
You're using an obsolete definition of the word "stealing".
-a
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:4, Funny)
1> People who work in Fortune 1000 are usually bored stiffless by institutional dreariness of the large company. Or they have become completely transformed by Dilbert syndrome into robots on the outside and boiling-with-rage just-destroy-it-see-if-I-care attitudes on the inside. Having a 1000-to-1 pay ratio between the top executives and the average Fortune 1000 worker ensures that there is a lot of this kind of feeling. Thousands of employees turn to P2P in the workplace just to get through the meaninglessness of the day. As long as the work continues to get done, it's not really a big deal.
2> Management gets a blanket threatening letter from the RIAA-MPAA. They immediately enact a policy saying that there will 'zero-tolerance' of any P2P or non-work-related computer or internet use by employees. The people who use P2P KNOW that their work is not affected by their listening and downloading and simply ignore this edict. Since everything is illegal in America now it doesn't seem to make any difference anyway, just as much work continues to get done as before.
3> The system administrator reviews the download records of all the employees and finds the people who continue to use P2P.
4> * The system administrator goes to each of these people (possible hundreds) and says that unless they give him $100-$200 a month, their names will be turned over to management for termination.
5> The system administrator gets tens of thousands of dollars a month from shaking down the employees due to management's stupid 'zero-tolerance' policy of something that hundreds of people are doing in the company.
6> The system administrator has an unfortunate accident. Someone deliberately drove their car over him in the company parking lot. Nobody saw anything. Word starts to circulate in and out of the company that there was a very profitable organized shakedown going on. Management refuses to tell the police anything to avoid scandal.
7> The word going around reachs the local Mafia crew. They 'persuade' management to install one of their people as the new system administrator. The shakedown continues... the Mafia gets the money...the employees get to download P2P...and nobody cares about what happens to the company.
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:2)
And I love the way you complain about drone workers looking to find any way to get through the meaninglessness of the day, when the
-a
Listening to music (Score:3, Funny)
I agree with you on the points where you say employees shouldn't be allowed to do illegal things on company time, waste time at work, or use up company resorces for non-work purposes. But are you seriously saying listening to music wastes company time?
I'm listening to music now. Do you think I took longer to write this post just because I'm listening to music???
/me wishing I could remember where those studies are which said music boosted productivity.
Re:do you wanna bet... (Score:5, Insightful)
What I don't get is how the RIAA plans to enforce this... Unless they for a RIAA gestapo, or something like it. Or put spyware on corporations, which would get them in even more trouble. So there's really nothing they can do about it. Except spew the same old BS they've been spewing, and of course that type of stuff sells on slashdot, lol...
at work? (Score:5, Insightful)
For managers, this is going to be a no-brainer.
Re:at work? (Score:2)
Re:at work? (Score:2)
They need to reevaluate their business model..
-bm
Re:at work? (Score:5, Funny)
I totally agree. I get SO pissed when my EFnet chats get lagged because the office warez monkeys are maxing out the T1 just to get mp3s and isos! People need to get cable!
Re:at work? (Score:5, Insightful)
P2P apps should be banned just for the security problems alone...not even considering legal liability of the company.
Grow up. Get a real job.
Re:at work? (Score:2, Interesting)
There is no reason for them not to wash their hands either, perhaps you should send a memo about that too?
Re:at work? (Score:4, Insightful)
Fortunately, my employer has me work from my house a couple thousand miles away and I use my own machines and bandwidth in my boxers in my den - so what I do *really* doesn't matter to anyone.
Re:at work? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:at work? (Score:2)
Re:at work? (Score:2)
Well, in that case, access to the internet should be banned. A P2P program is no more risky than Web browsing, or e-mail.
Re:at work? (Score:2)
Re:at work? (Score:2, Insightful)
the bottom line is that there's no reason for kazaa being on a network/business system in the first place. it sucks resources and is a security risk. I know, a good network has virus scanners and whatnot, but the bottom line is that if a program can be used to get viruses, it will. We use Eudora and still get viruses all the time.
Re:at work? (Score:5, Insightful)
Who says it's about treating coworkers like 'school-children'?
I'm a sysadmin for a small company. I used Kazaa at home quite a bit. I'm against the RIAA's stance on P2P. Despite all that, I don't want it used at work, and I will (and have) told people to remove it. Not because I'm an asshole or because I wanted to use my 'power'. I did it to make sure that my company doesn't invent mindless policies as a result of problems that arise from it. If the net connection gets bogged down and it's traced back to P2P usage, then my company will respond with a strict internet policy. That would suck because my company has a "It's only a problem when it's actually a problem" stance on things like that.
The dude you just got shitty with is right. Don't put businensses into a position where they WILL have to create policy. Especially when it is completely unnecessary.
I think that's right on (Score:2)
If people had just kept it under control, we wouldn't care.
Not children - Adults. (Score:4, Insightful)
MY bandwidth and My PCs are just that - MINE.
Don't like it. Don't work for me.
Maybe I don't want to be sued just because you are a thief. Personlly I think most of the IP laws are crap but that doesn't mean that I desire(or have the money) to be the fucking test case just because you are NOT adult enough to *gasp* ask my permission before you put MY company at risk.
So after I fire your ass I'll have your ass arrested for theft of MY bandwidth and MY storage space.
Is THAT adult enough? You self-centered little troll.
I sorry that you think that putting the rules down in writting is a "childish" act. It isn't. It is what adults do. Adults don't assume what others should know or expect. They explain out in front what is and isn't expected. Why? Because some people like yourself will assume that employment GIVES them the right to do it. It doesn't. Only if the employer is willing to allow it. And if he is then he should put THAT in writting too.
Re:Not children - Adults. (Score:2)
Because common sense and personal responsibility are lost concepts today. How are people supposed to know that McDonald's coffee is hot, unless it says so on the cup? How else are people supposed to know that the SUV in the commercial really can't drive vertically up the side of a skyscraper, unless a disclaimer on the screen says so?
Not really on topic, but I just like to rant about this once in a while. Forgive me.
~Philly
Re:Not children - Adults. (Score:2)
No but if they dug a pipe line and taped my water pipe and ran it to their house I would. Or if they stole rolls of toliet paper(which I have had done to me and cases of paper and pens and other office supplies...) I would. When my restroom supply line triples in one month I've either got a employee with a REAL bad colon problem or one who is stealing from me.
There's no place for downloading crap all day and getting nothing done...but if people still get their work done, anything that can be done to make them happy workers (including allowing downloads) is a good thing.
One if your a slacker then you deserve to get axed. As you agree.
Two if your stealing music and using MY network to do it then the music Nazis will sue ME. This isn't about my being "draconian". It's about my protecting myself and my company.
What if one of my workers decided that he would be a "happy worker" if he grew POT in his cubical. Should I allow that? Hey go rob a bank and use the company car. Downloading music is theft. Don't expect me to add "illegal warez music downloading" as one of the company benifits next to the dental plan!
I may be an ass but your an idiot. If you've had managers treat you like your a child it because you behave as such. WAAAH! Bossman won't let me have my music. Grow up.
You missed the point. (Score:2)
Don't break the law and use my network to do it and not expect me to act to protect my company.
I'll fire you and sue you and have you arrested, if need be, to demostrate to the music RIAA lawyers that I wasn't at fault in allowing a P2P server or heavy P2P downloading to run on my network. They would argue that I should know what is happening on my network. And they would be correct.
You act like you're doing a huge favor to the people who do the actual work to keep your company running and keep you in profit by allowing them to beg for your bandwidth.
Well we do each other favors. I pay them well and give them benifits, that includes, for some, unrestricted I-net access, and they provide skills and labor to me and the company. But in the end I am responsable in a large part for what they do. I can be sued just for "allowing" a crime to happen even if I have no active part in it.
As for the begging comment. There is no begging. There is negotiotions. If myself and a new potential employee can't come to an agreement then they don't work here. And after they come to work they break the agreement by violation of the terms then they don't work here. Violation of the law will get you fired at most any place of work last time I checked. And copyright theft is a violation of the law.
In the UK (Score:4, Interesting)
If I wanted to download a lot of music, I'd SSH to a machine at home and do it there where it's faster. I guess it's different in the US though where lots of companies have T3 connections.
I'd also have though that a lot of large organisations (e.g. Fortune 1000 companies) would already have "downloading music/video" policies in place, and the smaller companies would be the ones with people doing things like this.
Anyway, if you need to spend time doing stuff like that, you're job must not be interesting enough - you employer should tackle that problem first!
Re:In the UK (Score:2)
Yeah and they don't take a tea break at 11 o'clock or 3:30.
As the signs in London said "Make Tea, Not War".
I'd also have though that a lot of large organisations (e.g. Fortune 1000 companies) would already have "downloading music/video" policies in place,
Not to mention firewalls that are pretty P2P unfriendly.
But the RIAA are basically playing into the corporate policy game. Basically Big 5 consultancy, sorry Big 4, oops make that 3 firms have a racket in which they charge $50K a pop for an 'Employee Navigator' or some such. These are written by fresh out of college grads billing at $2K a day or more. So any proposal is likely to get thrown in.
This is how we are going to get companies to take noptice of spam problems. Make them scared of fired employees claiming that being bombarded by hard core spam created a hostile workplace.
Re:In the UK (Score:2)
Re:In the UK (Score:2)
Re:Ha! Ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha... (Score:2)
I've got a dual AMD Athlon MP 1600 on a 512k cable connection. At work I have a Sun Blade with some sort of high-speed connection. I've not that up on the details of it though.
Re:Ha! Ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha... (Score:2)
Hehe
yeah, I guess a lot of the UK's internet sucks, but it's not to bad from where I[m sitting.
Re:In the UK (Score:2)
Re:In the UK (Score:2)
Good For Them (Score:4, Insightful)
My company has blocked access to p2p applications, all sorts of website, and limit my access to my PC. Should I be crying about my rights being violated?
Where is it part of my rights that I can illegaly download music at my desk, thereby wasting bandwidth and company time?
Re:Good For Them (Score:3, Insightful)
you can't do a lot of things at work. you can't wear what you like, you can't practice your religion in public (unless it involves praying to a certain deity, then you're patriotic), you can't tell a pretty co-worker that you think she's pretty, you can't set your own hours, and you can't use the computer for personal use (though somehow they don't mind the phone used for personal stuff).
I'm self-employed. That means I can wake up at 10, I can work in my undies with my cock hanging out, jerking off to porn, and I can download Britney till my MP3 player deletes itself in protest.
Don't people read their employer agreements?? You're a PIECE OF A MACHINE, and if you don't function correctly you will be adjusted!
This isn't that bad... (Score:3, Interesting)
If they kept themselves confined to asking companies to police themselves, and "enlightening" the public to the plight of their failing business model, I wouldn't really hate them. The problem is that they insist on buying laws and bullying other companies into proping up their fading legacy.
Re:This isn't that bad... (Score:5, Interesting)
This is simply a veiled legal threat. It's "do this or we'll eventually get around to suing your ass off". Never mind that it's largely an empty threat - the intent is to invade another business and, through legal chill, affect the way they *do* business. And that's simply unacceptable.
More terror tactics (Score:3, Insightful)
The RIAA/MPAA is doing this to aim at deep pockets that can order lots of people to do, or in this case not do, specific acts.
Re:More terror tactics (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:More terror tactics (Score:2)
Well, it has been decided that even if you own the CD, you still can't download the songs. You can rip your CD and use those MP3s, but you can't dl the songs, that is still illegal. Whether you agree with this or not, it is stil the law. So if that person did download the song, then they are guilty.
But more importantly, why should a company fight the RIAA for you to have the right to download songs you may or may not own? They could care less if you really like the newest Britney CD, you're at work and should be doing work, not downloading MP3s. Even if it is legal for you to be downloading the song, the company still probably believes you shouldn't be doing it at work (because you should be working), so why should they spend their money to defend your silly, work-avoiding ass?
Re:More terror tactics (Score:3, Insightful)
Such a policy taken literally means that the organization in question will have to pull their net connection entirely.
A better policy would forbidding downloading of copyrighted material without permission. Normal websites give implicit permission to do the downloading necessary to view them. This also has the advantage of forbidding illegal mp3 downloads while still permitted downloads of legal mp3s and software.
Re:More terror tactics (Score:2)
Companies will take action and institute policies against downloading copywritten materials.
Of course, the only real way to do that is to shut off the Internet connection completely. There are very few things people access online that are actually in the public domain.
What I want to know is... (Score:3, Interesting)
Don't worry, it won't cost the RIAA a red cent (Score:3, Funny)
KFG
Re:What I want to know is... (Score:3, Funny)
If only there were some type of decentralized distribution system... oh wait.
Here are some of the enclosed brochures (Score:5, Funny)
We the managment of [INCLUDE COMPANY NAME], have felt it necessary to assert our position in regard to file sharing as dicated by the RIAA and MPAA of America.
You, the much loved workers of [INCLUDE COMPANY NAME], are from this day forth given the notice, that any contraband (aka shared files) ending with the following (but not limited to) extensions are hereby seen as illegal.
Extensions :
If for any reason any file ending with these extensions were found on your desktop or backup media, we would be forced to report you to the good companies listed above and further report you to our good government. You will be reported as terrorist file sharers who are affecting our great nations economy by sharing the files ending in the said extensions.
The lawyers representing [INCLUDE COMPANY NAME], RIAA and MPAA could at no point be sued or counter sued for any loss. You withhold the right to class action lawsuite, trial by jury and any sort of criminal charges against the companies that own the said file extensions.
Any tools that you use to create, display or duplicate the said file extensions are from this day forth labeled as tools of terrorists.
Thank you.
[INCLUDE NAME OF COMPANY CEO].
More bureaucracy... (Score:3, Interesting)
The "sample memo to employees" includes language informing workers that using computers to share illegal files can result in disciplinary action, including termination.
Ok, I don't really have a problem with that, because you shouldn't be using your employer's network like that.
The brochure recommends performing regular audits of employees' computers to search for audio and video files as well as the presence of peer-to-peer software.
But that is a really stupid recommendation. For one, who's going to pay for that? For two, the last thing big companies need is more big-brother'ness. There are already cameras everywhere, and it's already tough to get anything installed on your network without a huge audit. Now they are going to add: "We need to check your computer every night for MP3's, so make sure you leave your computer on". Just more bureaucracy.
--sex [slashdot.org]
I'm scared(!) (Score:3, Interesting)
The brochure recommends performing regular audits of employees' computers to search for audio and video files as well as the presence of peer-to-peer software.
[/quote]
Gotta love working for the govt.
They gave me the laptop with win95. My very first task was to stick XP on it but give it the exact same hostname.
No-one has yet noticed but my life is a lot more pleasent.
In adddition, the 2Mbit connection we have is only ever stressed by me and the occasional vnc session (again mostly me). Certainly no-one has access to any logs since we all go out direct. If they catch it at head office (our line goes through them) then they won't be able to tell which PC did it our end.
And the laptop comes home with me at night,
This'll be fun.
Re:I'm scared(!) (Score:4, Funny)
Thank you for the information provided in your post. In addition to monitoring your active Internet connections, your supervisors and I have also discussed pursuing an audit of your laptop, and I have recommended that active logging software be installed on all computers in your workspace.
The Government thanks you for your compliance.
Yours Truly,
Your Boss
Many Use Packeteer's Packetshaper (Score:5, Informative)
How would you evade something like that?
Internet at work (Score:5, Funny)
I am a programmer, and I remember the good ol' days when I had a job with Internet access. Then I was laid off, and the New Economy gave me a job with a company that doesn't allow its programmers access to the Internet! Do you believe this? Now I have to get my Slashdot fix on Saturday nights, alone and drunk in my apartment.
At least it doesn't conflict with my social schedule.
This sig is false.
When will they learn? (Score:2, Interesting)
Meddle Not In The Affairs of Lobbyists... (Score:5, Insightful)
The crux of the RIAA/MPAA's case is that the law makes corporations liable for providing the net connection that people are using to abuse the present definition of copyright. The recommended solutions end up being:
A) Firewall the network to the extreme, reducing network reliability while incurring direct costs for firewall maintenance;
B) Fire employees who violate RIAA/MPAA policy, reducing human reliability while incurring (again) direct costs for retraining;
C) Randomly pay multimillion dollar settlements for copyright liability, reducing per-quarter revenue reliability while incurring direct costs to pay off the lawyers and their suits.
Let me summarize: "Dear Corporate America: Please spend lots of money. Get nothing in return. Your Friends In Hollywood, Jack Valenti and Hilary Rosen."
Hmmm. Seems to me that the harder the RIAA and MPAA push the megacorps, the quicker they realize their exposure to unreliability and reduced profitability. Unlike individuals, or even ISPs, these are power aggregates that have stuck around precisely because they've been able to crush any threat to their bottom line.
Yes, RIAA. Thank you, MPAA. Please, do everything in your power to bother the big guys. That way, while you're wondering where all that congressional support for compulsory licensing came from (heh, we never got that when we were just harassing DVD Jon!), I'll be quite happy to be part of the Internet community taking the credit, and the power, that you just lost.
Yours Truly,
Dan Kaminsky
DoxPara Research
http://www.doxpara.com
The law is on their side (Score:2)
Re:Meddle Not In The Affairs of Lobbyists... (Score:2)
I totally need that silkscreened onto a t-shirt
Re:Meddle Not In The Affairs of Lobbyists... (Score:2)
It's all about liability. The RIAA is pointing out that companies are at significant financial risk according to the present law. Companies can manage that risk either by swimming against the same tide that the RIAA et al. have struggled against -- or they can look the other way when the law gets suddenly changed.
Your points are valid -- it's just that I think this external "favor" will be repaid in ways other than expected.
--Dan
Call the BSA (Score:5, Funny)
My company already did this to us.. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:My company already did this to us.. (Score:2)
Re:My company already did this to us.. (Score:3, Insightful)
Wow, I'd fire him immediately if I were his boss. He just opened up the company to massive litigation. It'd be akin to the phone company saying "we're going to monitor phone traffic and don't want common carrier status anymore". Moronic.
This is in no way anything like the telco doing that. I think that is an excellent way to curb the behaviour. If you want the music at work, bring in your CDs or even your own computer (geez, a headless P2-233 with 64M of memory would be more than enough) and leave it off the fucking corporate systems. It's not opening up anything to litigation, as the computers are already property of the companies, and can be used for whatever legal purpose the company wants.
Stop what stuff? Creating a pleasant environment to do your job? There is nothing illegal about having music on your computer at home or at work.
Agreed on the pleasant environment but there is nothing in my employee handbook granting me the ability to use the company systems for anything non-company related, including playing music whose legality is in question. It's not up to the company to prove that you own the CDs, and in fact I bet that given the choice between policing that or outright forbidding mp3s, they will chose the latter every time.
Re:My company already did this to us.. (Score:3, Funny)
I know where they got this idea... (Score:2)
Shame on them.
Well that sucks big, fat, hairy monkey balls (Score:5, Funny)
NOW they'll probably impliment some sort of official policy of displeasure with such pursuits.
Damn you RIAA.
KFG
Re:Well that sucks big, fat, hairy monkey balls (Score:2)
yow! (Score:4, Funny)
The RIAA and MPAA Target Day-Job Downloaders
That's it, I'm switching to the night shift!
oooh...evil!!! (Score:4, Interesting)
Just remember, kiddies, that most large workplaces don't even CARE WTF you're doing on their computers, as long as it isn't work related. Using company equipment for non-work-related activities is grounds for dismissal in many firms, so the RIAA really shouldn't have any resistance here. They're lobbying for a different idea, but will have the same result.
Cartoon (Score:5, Funny)
Valenti does look a lot like Droopy, you have to admit.
Valenti [boycott-riaa.com]
Droopy [collectingpez.com]
Or if we're going for apropos [cottet.org] over strict resemblance...
Most shops will have allready put a stop to this. (Score:2)
I would think this is a non issue.
RIAA is too late (Score:3, Insightful)
Liabilities (Score:2)
Finally... (Score:3, Funny)
Now I have a reason.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board, thank you for allowing me to speak. I'd like to address this letter and brochure that you have received from the entertainment cartels. What's that, Mr. Chairman? No sir, I did indeed call them cartels. No, please keep the lawyers in the room...they might find this informative. My presentation consists of the following:
--K.
It was only a matter of time (Score:5, Funny)
It's was only a matter of time for this to happen.
Individual companies have already contacted those businesses with a lot of "personal time" being spent on corporate networks. My own company was approached and mildly threatened by Sony because of P2P sharing.
Our IT people blocked the ports, and threatened us with various forms of violence if we shared/downloaded media. No distinction was made between legal or illegal downloads (if there really is such a thing).
Personally, I feel that home is the place to steal music. Work is for stealing software.
That last was a joke. Laugh. It's funny.
Re:It was only a matter of time (Score:2)
There is a difference. If I download music where the author / license permits it, then it is legal [rtnl.org.uk]. Very easy. ;-)
You're SUPPOSED to be working... (Score:2)
It's just a courtroom tool (Score:3, Insightful)
Reception (Score:2, Funny)
Please see to it that your brochures are delivered to the proper suggestions box. They can be located out behind the offices, just find the B.F.I. logo and throw them in.
What about universities? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:What about universities? (Score:3, Insightful)
It's much easier to tell a bussiness they should restrict P2P since they tend to have plenty of restriction on their network anyhow.
Contents of the memo here (Score:3, Informative)
Yes, and? (Score:4, Insightful)
Well, you are stealing their shit. And it is shit, least-common denominator teenie-bopper crap.
Maybe if people would get off their asses and explore the net for local bands they can go watch live, 99% of which will give you their mp3's online so you'll come see the shows.
No artist has ever made a cent off record sales, they make it from CONCERTS. So stop feeding the beast, and feed the artists. Go see something local, buy the Tshirt and CD at the concert if you must.
Stop all your damn whining about how people get mad when you steal their shit. You have two options, but you have to vote by spending your money. Stealing or bitching about it are both not voting at all.
Re:Yes, and? (Score:2)
The next letter (Score:3, Insightful)
But, how do they get at the home user? Instead of targeting them initially, it appears that their strategy is to set the stage with a series of meaningless letters to Fortune 1000 companies.
Why are they meaningless? Simply, most Fortune 1000 companies already have policies in place against downloading files, viewing adult material and even surfing that is not work-related. My company is nowhere close to the Fortune 1000, but we have policies like these in place and have for some time.
What the RIAA and the MPAA are trying to do is to create a climate where it will be viewed as appropriate to target the home user *next*. Once this letter and memo has been distributed to Fortune 1000 companies, the RIAA and MPAA will in effect have created a precedent that logically extends from the workplace into the home.
They are sneaky, and they seem to realize that they need to be careful about targetting home users; after all, the home broadband user is also a key revenue source for both of them. They realize this. I just hope the American public wakes up to the devious nature of these two organizations before the real war against the broadband user begins.
Re:The next letter (Score:3, Insightful)
AOL TimeWarner ads say trade songs with RoadRunner (Score:5, Interesting)
I just heard on Time Warner cable channel today, in a pitch for AOL/Time Warner's digital cable service/road runner, that you can "download movies on demand" and "trade songs with families and friends" as part of their pitch for selling their service.
Time Warner is part of the MPAA/RIAA. Very interesting to hear that they are pitching "trade songs with families and friends" as part of road runner. What type of applications do you think they are talking about when they mention "trade songs..."? What applications other than p2p are the general public aware of when it comes to "trading songs..."?
Is AOL/Time Warner pitching p2p file sharing as a reason to get their service?
Can someone capture the audio on this commercial and email it to one of the groups that are fighting for fair use rights in Washington?
Downloading at work (Score:2)
I have no pirated software, Pr0n, or P2P applications on my machine at work. I have no desire to lose the sweet deal that I have by screwing around with stuff like that.
I imagine that people who hate their jobs, coworkers, boss, etc. may view things differently and not care if they land the company they work for in legal trouble - there's always another job to be found. And of course, if they get fired, they'll promptly rat-out their office to the BSA (no matter if they have pirated software or not, an audit is nasty, costly, and uncomfortable for teh company).
The moral is, keep your employees happy and content, and they won't feel the need to put your business in jeaopardy. Treat your employees badly at your own peril.
Hah... Amateurs. (Score:3, Funny)
pyslsk