Re: [TCLUG:14628] RE: Napster OT

[Troy Johnson <john1536@tc.umn.edu>]

"Trainor, Kevin T." wrote:

> I don't know about the anti-copyright thing, though. I can see how
> musicians would do OK (as Chuck D pointed out, there's always concerts
> and merchandise) but what about writers? Where will movies and TV programs
> come from if the producers can't recover their investments because
> everyone's downloading the DVD file from pirate sites?

The revenue stream created by DVD sales (and even VHS video sales) is
relatively new. What did writers do before these things existed?

And what is this about TV programs? Do you typically buy TV programs on
DVD? Or even VHS?

It may be time to ask the question "Why must we protect the
entertainment industry's right to profit?" and really give it some
careful consideration. Do they serve the public good? Are artists really
much better off with the industry than without it? Maybe some are, but I
think a majority might give us a resounding "No!". Would we be better
off without them? Would artists be better off without them?

As new technology drives down the cost of creating and distributing
sound (just as it has done for text and pictures), are we embracing it?
Or are we making it difficult for reasons we might be better off
questioning?

Just my $0.04,

Troy