Protect Your Fair Use Rights
by Samuel Febres
As technology continues to progress and people continue to create innovative ways to move, transfer, store and view information, a lot of major corporations are realizing that their current business models are being threatened by new ways of using and transferring this information.
Instead of adjusting to changes in technology and creating new business models and plans, major organizations like the MPAA, RIAA, and the NFL are trying to sue, scare, and threaten consumers away from using technologies that were created to allow them to use items they have viewed or purchased fairly for their own personal use in new and creative ways.
If record companies had know digital distribution and electronic music files would have taken off the way they have, I am quite sure they would have done all in their power to either limit this type of technology from moving forward, or would have heavily figured out a way to tax it.
Did you know that Microsoft actually pays Universal Music group a music “tax” for every Zune player in order to sell their music on the Urge music store and because they feel that because their music is possibly going to be played on it, they are entitled to such a tax. Nevermind the fact that you’ve already paid for the CD you purchased, as well the song you may have downloaded as well. Kinda crazy, isn’t it?
Imagine how different things might be had they anticipated that the itunes store and ipod would have become as popular as it has.
Because of this craziness, I encourage everyone to visit CCIA – Defend Fair Use, take action and sign the petition available online.
Imagine not being able to copy songs from CDs you’ve purchased to your ipod, not being able to record shows with Tivo, and any other fair use rights being stripped away.