Sep 27 2002
Cringley attacks DMCA
Robert X. Cringley is probably the most popular tech writer in the geek circuit. Every week he brings in a smashing column that blows everyone else out of the water. Last week he talked about a company called BayTSP who is paid to enforce the DMCA [PDF]. Many ask how a private company can inforce the law, but yes, it is being done. Cringley tells us to take action in this week’s column…
“Here is the plan. Everyone who hates the DMCA has to illegally copy a movie or a song, and then tell both the Congress and the U.S. Copyright Office exactly what they did. We need 10 million or so confessed and unrepentant intellectual property pirates. That’s too much illegal behavior to ignore (What could 10 million pirated copies of “Debbie Does Dallas” be worth?), but too many individual criminals to be prosecuted. Then, having pirated our movie or song, we also need to turn ourselves in to the authorities, clogging every hoosegow in America, facing our potential $10,000 fine, each of us demanding the jury trial we are guaranteed under the Constitution. “
What do you think? Sounds like a plan, but it takes too many people and too much risk to actually happen. Too bad since the DMCA is one of the worst legislative piece in recent memory (as far as technology is concerned). If you have any bright ideas or comments fire Cringley an email, and post it below.
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