We deon't need no stinkin' subject lines

[Don Erickson]

In article <3.0.3.32.20010227135803.01d5a100 at mail.dslonramp.com> you write:
>At 12:32 PM 2/27/01 -600, you wrote:
>>So I guess that makes Benjamin Franklin not just a great womanizer, but
>also the grandfather of copyright infringement.  Maybe we should hold Jon
>Lech Johansen (DeCSS fame) and Napster up in such high regard?
>>
>>Doug Ramsey

We seem to forget that Ben Franklin was a radical revolutionary who
conspired with other traitors to overthrow his legitimate existing
government, and petitioned other parties and nations to wage war against
his country's leader(s).  His statement upon signing the Declaration of
Independence: "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang
separately."  

Also, making tapes from your friend's records is legal as long as you
don't charge others for the tape.  (Wasn't this essentially the existing
"home copy"  standard?)  Napster simply means that everybody has a wider
circle of friends, so it becomes an industry problem.  And what's the deal
with the blank "music" cds that cost more? 

>I don't
>see what the big deal is with putting down Napster -- it's a tool.  What
>YOU do with it is what is legal/ethical.  They can't legislate or control
>your usage.   

Wanna bet?  "They" can certainly legislate, actual control may be a bit
more difficult.  Look at the archaic encryption laws the US held onto.

Regards,

-Don
-- 
Devil's Advocacy -- Reasonable Rates.