Monday, June 21, 2004
DMCA & Fair Use
Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia is the sponsor of HR107 which would overturn the provision in the DMCA that bars consumers from making backup copies of CDs or DVDs that they own. The bill currently has 19 co-sponsors; however, it is unlikely that it will pass this year.
In a related story, News.com is reporting that the #1 album in the United States, "Contraband" by Velvet Revolver, is the first #1 album to include anticopying protections.
As a consumer, I should legally be able to make a backup copy of any movie or CD that I buy. In the case of CDs, I like to place the original in my CD changer and make a backup copy for use in the car. That practice would make a pirate if I were to buy the Velvet Revolver CD (don't worry, I won't) and attempt to make a backup since the DMCA prohibits disabling copy protection.
Hollywood and the RIAA need to come up with workable solutions (for both consumers and the studios/labels) to these issues instead of trying to legislate everyone into submission. They've already driven up the cost of consumer electronics hardware (HDTVs, HDTV receivers, DVI-enabled DVD players) by requiring manufacturers to adopt HDCP and other copyright protection schemes into their hardware.
Why should Congress and hardware manufacturers be asked to protect someone else's copyrights?
Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia is the sponsor of HR107 which would overturn the provision in the DMCA that bars consumers from making backup copies of CDs or DVDs that they own. The bill currently has 19 co-sponsors; however, it is unlikely that it will pass this year.
In a related story, News.com is reporting that the #1 album in the United States, "Contraband" by Velvet Revolver, is the first #1 album to include anticopying protections.
As a consumer, I should legally be able to make a backup copy of any movie or CD that I buy. In the case of CDs, I like to place the original in my CD changer and make a backup copy for use in the car. That practice would make a pirate if I were to buy the Velvet Revolver CD (don't worry, I won't) and attempt to make a backup since the DMCA prohibits disabling copy protection.
Hollywood and the RIAA need to come up with workable solutions (for both consumers and the studios/labels) to these issues instead of trying to legislate everyone into submission. They've already driven up the cost of consumer electronics hardware (HDTVs, HDTV receivers, DVI-enabled DVD players) by requiring manufacturers to adopt HDCP and other copyright protection schemes into their hardware.
Why should Congress and hardware manufacturers be asked to protect someone else's copyrights?
¶ 3:06 PM 
About Shawn Morton
Married father of 4, social media strategist at Nationwide, consumer electronics enthusiast, hair metal aficionado.
View complete bio.
View complete bio.
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