Steve R. 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: Canadian Politician Claims That Ripping A CD To Your iPod Is Like Buying Socks & Stealing Shoes To Go With Them

    Steve R. ( profile ), 18 May, 2012 @ 06:26am

    Homesteading "rights"

    Fundamentally, when there is a technological advance, why should the content create be able to claim a "new" (homestead) ownership right. The consumer bought (from the consumers point-of-view) the right to use that content. Therefore the consumer should have the right to use it as they see fit.

    (Of course the content creator well claim that they are only leasing a limited privilege, but that is bunk.)

  • On the post: Re-Inventing Public Libraries For The Digital Age

    Steve R. ( profile ), 04 May, 2012 @ 05:27am

    Re: Re: A librarian's viewpoint

    "the significance of "library as place,"". The internet and websites such as Wikipedia make information available independent of where you are located. Consequently, the libraries need to formulate "attractants" to make local patrons want to be physically present. (Author book signings or computer workshops as examples)

    Libraries no longer serve the local community, the patron base now is the entire world and libraries are in "competition" with each other to attract (global) patrons.

  • On the post: Re-Inventing Public Libraries For The Digital Age

    Steve R. ( profile ), 03 May, 2012 @ 05:09am

    Lack of Technical Books

    One of my frustrations with libraries has been the lack of (paper) technical books related to the use of computers, operating systems, and programming. I even donated some of my books to the local library only to see them placed in the "Friends of the Library" bargain table instead of being placed on the shelves. Considering Microsoft's perpetual penchant to always say "Contact your System Administrator"; libraries could be an excellent resource for technical books.

  • On the post: After Four Years Feds Finally Get Around To Prosecuting Ten Mod Chip Sellers

    Steve R. ( profile ), 02 May, 2012 @ 01:50pm

    Re: Re:

    What gives a company a right to define what a "nefarious purpose" is and to advocate that modifications are criminal activity. To go a step beyond: "technology should not be banned simply because some people might use that technology for nefarious purposes."

  • On the post: Supreme Court To Review If It's Legal To Resell A Book You Bought Abroad

    Steve R. ( profile ), 18 Apr, 2012 @ 09:57am

    Re:

    The logical pretzel is becoming increasingly convoluted. Eventually no one will be able to make a decision.

    In fact, this increasing complexity puts the Rule-of-Law into jeopardy. Arbitrary and capricious legal decisions based on obscure principles and dubious logic.

  • On the post: Supreme Court To Review If It's Legal To Resell A Book You Bought Abroad

    Steve R. ( profile ), 18 Apr, 2012 @ 08:41am

    Re: Re: Re: Well, I guess I have a stupid question then

    There are two aspects. One the book, which is something physical and the content, which is abstract. What is copyrighted is the abstract content. Subsequent selling/trading of the physical book does not affect the copyright privilege.

    You are also, unfortunately, buying into the concept promoted by the content industry that the buyer never obtains an ownership privilege to the physical book. This is an absurdity. This land-grab by the content industry needs to be ended.

    If one applies the expansive licensing concepts promoted by the content and tech industries to all retail products you wouldn't even be able to change the spark plugs in your car without going to an authorized vendor approved customer service satisfaction center.

  • On the post: Supreme Court To Review If It's Legal To Resell A Book You Bought Abroad

    Steve R. ( profile ), 18 Apr, 2012 @ 06:07am

    To Promote Creativity

    The purpose of copyright has morphed from providing a content creator with a limited right to foster creativity to a "toll-booth" to extort revenue. Not only that, but it criminalization has also been added. Try to circumvent the "toll-both" - get penalized.

  • On the post: Encyclopaedia Britannica: Civility In The Face Of Adversity

    Steve R. ( profile ), 09 Apr, 2012 @ 10:18am

    Continued Development or Cash Cow?

    Unanswered is the meaning of Britannica's "looking forward". Will they continue investing resources in the encyclopedia to further it as a quality source of content that people seek to use - OR - will they quietly stop investing in it and milk it as a cash cow? Then - when the content becomes "obsolete" - just quietly shut down the whole operation and declare bankruptcy.

  • On the post: Size Matters: Why The TSA Fears Thirteen-Inch Laptops, But Not Eleven-Inch Ones

    Steve R. ( profile ), 06 Apr, 2012 @ 02:32pm

    What About the Luggage with Wheels and Extendable Rods?

    Another insane rule. Seems that a lot of luggage with the wheels and extendable metal rods could be designed to be easily broken down and re-configured into a weapon. So why are they allowed and scissors aren't?

  • On the post: Former Cybersecurity Czar Thinks DHS Should Spy On All Internet Traffic Crossing Our Borders… Because Of Chinese Pirates?

    Steve R. ( profile ), 06 Apr, 2012 @ 02:22pm

    China Can Simply Buy the Techology

    It seems that the those in charge have to create some evil bogeyman to justify continued repression to fight this or that "war". Perhaps the biggest threat to our national security is continued unrestrained deficit spending. The Chinese can simply buy our debt and use it to legally buy US companies to acquire whatever technology that they seek. An easy end-run to by-pass any cybersecurity.

    Unfortunately, the concept of operating this country with a balanced budget would mean that our esteemed politicians would have to make real decisions and do some real work. Easier to fan the flames of public outrage, declare a "war" and then pass more useless)repressive legislation.

    Based on the stage that has been set so-far, it would seem in 2013 that either Obama and Romney, if elected President, would loudly beat the drums-of-war. The inauguration speech may well be serve as a prelude.

  • On the post: Why Do Publishers Treat Customers As Crooks With Scolding Copyright Notices?

    Steve R. ( profile ), 06 Apr, 2012 @ 08:39am

    Re: Unfair Contract Terms

    Seems that the US continues with the philosophy that the seller somehow defines the rule of a "sale" to the exclusion of any rights that the buyer may have.

    If the seller insists that the buyer is entering into a contract, then they should have an authorized representative present at the point-of-sale so that the buyer can truly negotiate. Of course, they won't - too expensive - they would say. If that is the case, then all EULA/TOS should be voided.

  • On the post: Why Do Publishers Treat Customers As Crooks With Scolding Copyright Notices?

    Steve R. ( profile ), 06 Apr, 2012 @ 07:44am

    Numbing

    After a while the endless mind numbing display of these messages becomes "invisible". Not only do they become another irritant to be avoided, but the message not to do something becomes lost.

    Laws tend to be complied with to the extent that they reflect societal norms. Admonitions, such as compliance with industry defined copyright, will be increasingly ignored by the "customer crooks". In the extreme - respect for the law (as a concept) will be treated as a joke. If the content industry wishes to have real compliance with the law by the "customer crooks" they need to stop their massive land-grab and acknowledge the rights of the "customer crooks" to the use of their ("customer crooks") content.

  • On the post: Court Says Sony Is Free To Change Its Terms Of Service Because Accessing PSN Is A Choice

    Steve R. ( profile ), 05 Apr, 2012 @ 05:30am

    Law Not Keeping Up With Technology

    Another example where technological advancement is being used to subvert the concept of contracts. One aspect of contract law is that the two parties enter into a mutual agreement defining each-others responsibilities and obligations. Now, one party (the seller) is able to issue a so-called "contract" that can be changed at any time without the consent of the other party and which reserve all rights to that one party (the seller). It is unfortunate that our judicial system has not adapted to preserve contractual relationships.

  • On the post: What Quilting's Legal Battles Can Teach Us About Copyright

    Steve R. ( profile ), 04 Apr, 2012 @ 10:35am

    Entitlementment Society

    As That Anonymous Coward wrote: "What it has become and continues to grow into is a horrible thing." Copyright is no longer about creativity, it has morphed into the concept that content creators are entitled to a perpetual revenue stream enforced by the power of the State.

    Not only that but content creators are taking extreme liberties to aggressively reach-out and claim that anything remotely with the look-and-feel of their content is infringement.

    Leah Day's experience clearly illustrates these trends.

  • On the post: Video Showcases The Many Perfectly Legitimate Reasons To Jailbreak A Device

    Steve R. ( profile ), 04 Apr, 2012 @ 05:38am

    The Purchaser Has Property Rights Too

    When a person buys a product they acquire a property right to that product. The term "jailbreaking" carries numerous connotations:

    1. Device you "bought" is really not yours.
    2. Concept of "Sale" is being eliminated
    3. Concept of reverse engineering is being eliminated
    4. Manufacturer retains post-sale control over the device.

    Again, there is the ye olde car analogy. Historically, people have been able to modify their cars as they desired. Want install a Ford engine in your Chevy car - go ahead.

    Based on the historical right to tinker with your products, the electronic device industry should not have acquired a right to prohibit people from tinkering. Furthermore, the electronic device industry has no right to deprive the purchaser of their acquired property right when they buy a product.

  • On the post: German Scriptwriters Attack 'Greens, Pirates, Left-wingers And Internet Community' For Daring To Have Different Views On Copyright

    Steve R. ( profile ), 03 Apr, 2012 @ 05:41am

    Collateral Damage

    The copyright "land-grab" is not limited to simply extending the time period of copyright, but also reaching out to claim that other content that has the apparent look-and-feel of a content created by an author is somehow infringement. Orson Scott Card Rips Apart JK Rowling For The Lexicon Lawsuit

  • On the post: Did The White House Call For A New SOPA?

    Steve R. ( profile ), 02 Apr, 2012 @ 10:09am

    Inaguaration Day 2013

    The inauguration day speech will propose a "surge" to reinvigorate the "war" on piracy. It won't matter who is elected President.

  • On the post: NYTimes OpEd Explains Why Infringement Isn't Theft

    Steve R. ( profile ), 29 Mar, 2012 @ 10:58am

    Forgot to Mention the Land-Grab

    Yes it was interesting to read. However, it never gets into the issue that the content industry is changing the law to make formerly legal activities criminal in nature. Furthermore, that as technology advances that the content industry claims rights that they did not previously possess. It is not simply an issue of infringement but of continued diminution of the public domain and elimination of the civil liberties of the public.

  • On the post: Boston Pays $170,000 To The Guy Police Arrested For Filming Them

    Steve R. ( profile ), 28 Mar, 2012 @ 12:34pm

    Here's Another One

    "Las Vegas police agree to pay $100,000 to beaten videographer" from the Mar. 21, 2012 edition of Las Vegas Review Journal.

    Las Vegas Review-Journal reports: "The Metropolitan Police Department has agreed to pay $100,000 to a Las Vegas man who said he was beaten by an officer as he shot video from his driveway. ... As Colling was driving away, he stopped his car, got out and approached Crooks. ... He ordered Crooks to stop filming, and when Crooks refused, Colling beat him, according to the lawsuit."

  • On the post: Parent Claims 'Ender's Game' Is Pornographic; Teacher Who Read It To Students Put On Temporary Leave

    Steve R. ( profile ), 21 Mar, 2012 @ 03:31pm

    Stealing Ron Paul's Liberty Theme

    Following super-Tuesday, I was flabbergasted when Santorum spoke of preserving liberty. A couple of days later, Santorum evidently made statements (that I have missed)that we need to initiate a "war" on pornography. Seems that Santorum lacks an understanding of the word "liberty".

    Anyway, since this is a forum concerning so-called "intellectual property"; Ron Paul should sue Santorum for stealing the look and feel of Paul's candidacy. (just joking for those who take this too seriously.)

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