Re: [DMCA-Activists] copyright infringement...the way business is done...also, inside,feasibility of boycott of MPAA and RIAA

[Larry Garfield]

Dr. John Raymond Baker wrote:

> We KNOW who is trying to shove their proverbial fist down our throats...the
> MPAA and the RIAA. Where do they get their money to do this crap? FROM US!

I agree.

> I say that we should ALL seriously examine the possibility of a boycott
> against movies produced by companies who support the MPAA's actions. I say
> we boycott any and all music recording companies that support the RIAA. The
> recording industry is hurting and they are blaming internet music piracy.
> Let's put a name to why they are really hurting. I say we release a press
> statement of boycotting companies supporting the MPAA and RIAA...and even,
> boycott the software companies supporting the Business Software Alliance.
> The way to disable these enemies to attack them by starving their
> coffers....hit them in the pocketbook...Nothing like a little bankruptcy to
> shock them back into seeing who they really should be trying to please...the
> buying public.

Nothing like a little bankruptcy to cause the executives to raise 
prices, blame it on "pirates", get better backing from politicians and 
the public at large by villifying "hackers" again (remember, hackers are 
now terrorists), and claim victory and then raise their own salaries.

I try to minimize my involvement with the MPAA and RIAA, and have 
encouraged others to do so, but those two agencies are so dangerous 
precisely because a complete boycott is impossible.  These companies, 
along with the book publishers who are heading the same direction, 
control the cultural fabric of the nation.  Are you willing to never 
watch TV (MPAA gets a cut of your cable subscription even if you never 
actually watch the Disney channel and only watch IFC), never listen to 
music or the radio (RIAA gets a cut from all radio broadcasts), never 
read a book (from the 2-3 major publishing houses who are now backing 
DRM-encrypted e-books)?  Are you willing to make the Slashdot boards 
your only source of news? :-)

Even if you are willing to completely ostricize yourself from the 
society about you and become an effective hermit, not enough people are 
willing to do so.  And if you're that cut off, you will not be able to 
convince other people to join you.  And even if enough people do join 
you in virtual hermitage the economic reality is that the execs will 
simply blame "pirates" for their losses, raise prices, and raise their 
own salaries.  Again.

The battle must be fought out in public view, but more importantly in 
the courts and in Congress.

When was the last time people on this list wrote or faxed (not e-mailed) 
their Congresscritter and Senators?  The session ended in November, so 
I'll say if it was longer ago than 1 October, shame on you.  You're not 
doing your part.  Once this session starts, you have 30 days to get a 
mail on their desk quickly.  Do so.  Get your freedom loving friends to 
do so.  Your congressman (or his staff) should be able to recognize your 
name by heart.  It takes TEN letters for a senatorial office to take a 
serious look at an issue.  TEN.  (Assumption being that for everyone who 
writes in there are 1000 more who agree with it but were too lazy to 
write, but not too lazy to vote.)  Do you know ten people?  Yes you do.

Fight the corruption where the corruption is happening.  That is where 
you will do the most good.  And then go buy only used CDs, and donate 
your saved money to EFF et al. :-)

--
Larry Garfield                  AIM: LOLG42
address@hidden          ICQ: 6817012

"The world's most dangerous terrorist is at large in the US.  He has his 
sights set on making the entire American population cower in fear.  He 
has ordered his people to assassinate American citizens.  Do you know 
him?  His name is George W. Bush."