Wednesday, October 09 2002

I quoted Hilary Rosen of RIAA a few days ago (see here) and I just realized I made a mistake. Of course illegally downloading is illegal, no doubt about that. The question is rather what is illegal when it comes to downloading?

I guess hacking into someone's computer systems stealing information could be considered illegal downloading. Buying a CD record, ripping it and sending a copy a friend however, is not illegal. It's considered private use in sweden.

Hilary Rosen and the organizations she represents want to make us believe that this private use is also illegal, an act of stealing. That's how I interpret the ongoing discussions anyway.

If an opinion is advocated repeatedly, over and over again, by enough people, with strong enough voices, that opinion may eventually become the truth, whether it is the truth or not. This is one reason you should raise your voice. If you don't the only opinion heard will be that of the RIAA.

Reporting on Lessig's upcoming US Supreme Court appearance: Larry Lessig admits it: he's nervous. Who wouldn't be? This week the brainy Stanford law professor makes his first appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court - barely a decade after clerking for Justice Antonin Scalia - to argue a case that could redirect millions of dollars, rejigger the entertainment menu of the entire nation and liberate Mickey Mouse.