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haughey's whole lotta something
April 27, 2005A Whole Lotta Nothing: Strange bedfellows
Filtered + Derivitive works = Hacks, Mods, and Extensions.
The "slippery slope" just tilted our way a little bit. Now that is something.
over generalization and the threat of "sharacy"
April 26, 2005Recording Industry's File Sharing Complaints Don't Hold Water
I've read the recent RIAA Report (PDF) and I have to agree with Mr. Newton. File-sharing is not the same thing as piracy. I'm not willing to go so far as to say file-sharing isn't capable of hurting the industry and artists, but let's stop using the terms interchangeably. Doing so only inhibits the ability to have an intelligent debate on the matter. The RIAA knows better. They think they benefit from this broader claim, but understanding the differences in what is going on in each situation--and calling them out, may lead to a more productive discussion and hopefully a resolution that works for consumers, artists, and the industry alike.
tom coates on the future of music
April 22, 2005On movement in my view of the "Future of Music"... (plasticbag.org)
amazon offers free mp3 downloads
April 21, 2005Here's Amazon's top downloads page, featuring personal favs Yo La Tengo, Elliot Smith, Modest Mouse, The Magnetic Fields and... Styx.
Pick-up a few of your own favs for a quick fix or take the opportunity to hear something new.
Note: Not much in the indie section, though. Hmmm.
good thinking
April 20, 2005This will help protect the integrity and interoperability of music metadata everywhere, for everyone. I wish them well and look forward to the day when Ripshark can utilize the MetaBrainz metadata store as its primary MP3 tag source rather than paying a license for its current source.
it's official...
April 15, 2005Our proud sponsor has blown our cover.
If you've never been here before, welcome.
Please enjoy some of the refreshments in the back.
-The Editor
bandwagon...
April 13, 2005Just in case you haven't seen this yet:
Boing Boing: Bush's iPod filled with infringing goodness
Seems innocent enough... or is it???
truth in advertising
April 13, 2005Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act of 2005
Here's a potentially positive development where the music industry would be required to clearly indicate that the disc you might have just purchased is something other than a traditional audio compact disc. The legislation is targeting discs that employ technology outside the current "Red Book" spec. Such technologies might be software that is installed onto your computer without your expressed permission or knowledge and acceptance. Or something that may require you to accept additional terms of usage in order for you to play the disc. This also may include so-called "enhanced" content, such as video or interactive games.
The introduction into commerce, sale, offering for sale, or advertising for sale of a prerecorded digital music disc product which is mislabeled or falsely or deceptively advertised or invoiced, within the meaning of this section or any rules or regulations prescribed by the Commission pursuant to subsection (d), is unlawful and shall be deemed an unfair method of competition and an unfair and deceptive act or practice in commerce under section 5(a)(1).
In addition to the labelling measures, consumers would have the right to "circumvent a technological measure in order to obtain access to the work for purposes of making noninfringing use of the work" thereby restoring their right to fair use.
What do you think? Fairuseless.org will be seeking expert opinions on this legislation and will let you know how you can show your support for it in the coming weeks.
amongst friends
April 13, 2005When file-sharing is between a limited number of parties--be it via the internet or a mixed tape--is there any more/less of an infringement?
This model by Grouper begs the question.
How can common sense be entered into the equation? When does word of mouth, try before you buy, and plain ol' "sharing the experience" with those you love become infringement?
Discuss (amongst friends).
busy, busy, busy
April 13, 2005The RIAA seems to be redoubling its ligitious activities--now peering (pun most definitely intended) into semi-private networks.
Columbia Spectator - RIAA Gains Access to i2Hub
What's behind the latest surge? Could it be that The RIAA is sensing vulnerability on the part of the file-sharers... or is the RIAA feeling a bit vulnerable itself?
fairuselinks
April 10, 2005A statistical analysis and a musician's nostaligic/philosophical viewpoint on music-sharing:
Piercing the peer–to–peer myths: An examination of the Canadian experience
[via slashdot]
The Best 90 Minutes of My Life
Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore is one of the coolest guys on the planet.
michael's conscientious objection
April 8, 2005The Binary Bonsai Approach to Copyright
I admire Michael's conviction (hopefully no pun intended). His awareness-building efforts and long-standing attention to this issue makes him one of fairuseless.org's favorite activists.
His post reminds me that I need to add some of the organizational and resource links to the site, as there are lots more where he came from.
lessons from larry, jeff, and steve
April 8, 2005Here's a link to the webcast of the previously mentioned: NYPL - WIRED PRESENT... Who Owns Culture?
This would have so great to attend, but the webcast is the next best thing. Special thanks to Jason Kottke for his summary.
a domino falls...
April 6, 2005Remind Me of the Reason for the DMCA Again?: Corante > The Importance of... >
changing the conversation
April 3, 2005Forbes.com: College Students Download in Dorm Rooms
Don't let the title of this article fool you. This is different. Although, I'm not sure the RIAA is expecting the reader to track along. Apparently, they believe one way to find an answer to piracy is to change the question.
While subscription-based content may be a legitimate consumption model, ownership is still an option preferred by many. And even though technology and the mentioned "tethered" services may allow tighter control of content for the subscription-minded, those that license content by purchasing it outright have rights beyond those that "rent" it. We ought not forget that, nor should we let the entertainment industry confuse the two.
no joking matter
April 1, 2005Boing Boing: Shirky: stupid (c) laws block me from publishing own work online
This sort of presumption of guilt on the part of software/hardware manufacturers in order to be in compliance with current copyright law is precisely what we at fairuseless.org oppose. And despite the fact that these provisions can be circumvented with alternative technologies, the consumer--you and me--is at the very least, inconvenienced, or at worst, guilty of violating the DMCA.
