> From: "Gerald E. Uhlan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Now - if it is something that's out of print, how would > downloading/trading > on the net be any different than purchasing a used copy at a flea > market, if > you can't buy it in stores?
You bring up a fascinating point that really hasn't been touched on much in the discussion/debate over copyright. You might be surprised to hear it, but I agree with you that OOP material should probably be exempted from the current draconian state of copyright law. I would say that *mass distribution* of OOP material (particularly for profit) may still need to be regulated in some fashion, but again that's one of the MANY areas where current copyright law *desperately* needs updating. Reasoned debate could probably produce a satisfactory solution for OOP material for all parties without too much effort. But let's not kid ourselves. Your p2p downloading habits do not represent the norm. If they did, the record companies would probably not bother to expend such effort (which, you must remember, eats heavily into their profits). OOP and "bootleg" (ie never commercially available) material is not really what the RIAA, MPAA and Congress are going after in their witchhunt of the P2P networks. It is *current* material, actively *in-print* material, and commercial software trading that is the "rotten apple" that spoils things like Napster for people like you who are interested mainly in trading what I would call "obscure, rare or fan-only" material. Okay, I'm drifting (drifted) completely off-topic. I'll shut up now. :) _Chas_ "We don't want to be like Windows. We want to do everything better. We are intent on creating the greatest computers and the best computing experience in the world. And we are the only ones who can say that with a straight face." -- Greg Joswiak, Apple VP of hardware product marketing -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
