Monday, August 30, 2004
TimeTrax angers RIAA - hooray!
The RIAA is at it again. This time, they are targetting a guy who wrote software that allows him to record XM satellite radio broadcasts onto his PC so that he can listen to them later.
The guy, Scott MacLean, claims that he wrote the software out of necessity. XM would broadcast concerts and other programming at times that didn't make it practical for him to listen.
Now, instead of allowing users of their service to benefit from Scott's hard work and innovation, XM and the RIAA are figuring out if they can sue the guy. That's the spirit!
I am wondering how much of a case they will have since this WIRED article mentions that TimeTrax makes an "analog" copy. The Digital Millenium Copyright Act only governs, as its name suggests, digital copy protection. I have a feeling (and am hoping) that TimeTrax falls into the same protected category as the VCR.
If you use XM, buy TimeTrax for $30. I have a feeling this guy is going to need some money for a lawyer.
The RIAA is at it again. This time, they are targetting a guy who wrote software that allows him to record XM satellite radio broadcasts onto his PC so that he can listen to them later.
The guy, Scott MacLean, claims that he wrote the software out of necessity. XM would broadcast concerts and other programming at times that didn't make it practical for him to listen.
Now, instead of allowing users of their service to benefit from Scott's hard work and innovation, XM and the RIAA are figuring out if they can sue the guy. That's the spirit!
I am wondering how much of a case they will have since this WIRED article mentions that TimeTrax makes an "analog" copy. The Digital Millenium Copyright Act only governs, as its name suggests, digital copy protection. I have a feeling (and am hoping) that TimeTrax falls into the same protected category as the VCR.
If you use XM, buy TimeTrax for $30. I have a feeling this guy is going to need some money for a lawyer.
¶ 8:00 AM 
About Shawn Morton
Married father of 4, social media specialist, consumer electronics enthusiast, hair metal aficionado.
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