Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

[Feba]

I have some questions for people that still support copyright law, because as I see it it's downright silly nowadays.

For these examples, I will use a CD or song or such, as it's the quickest thing to type, but the same would apply to any tape, record, cartridge, DVD, Blu-Ray, dead tree, or any other format that copyrighted media may be sold in. Keep in mind I'm looking for a *defense* of this, not just "because that's the law."

1- Why is it ok for someone to buy a CD, and later give it to a friend, but not ok for that person to make a copy for a friend?

2- Why is it ok for someone to lend a CD to a friend, but not make a copy for the friend to destroy later?

3- Why is it ok to buy a used CD, but not to download the contents of the CD? (As neither practice gives money to the artist)

4- Why is it ok for me to watch a DVD with three friends in my house, but illegal for me to make three copies and have them watch it elsewhere?

5- Why is it not ok for me to download software that isn't made anymore?

6- Why is it ok for an artist who makes millions of dollars to profit off someone's music without paying them (by sampling), but not ok for a fan to listen to music without paying that same artist?

7- Why is it ok for companies like the MAFIAA to sue people for sharing content with the implication that it is harmful to the artists, when the winnings don't actually go to said artists?

8- How does making money years after your death encourage people to create art? Assume the artist has no family, or does not wish for them to profit off the works.

9- Why is it legal for me to get a song stuck in my head, but illegal for me to stick a song in my iPod?

10- How would a lack of copyright damage society? Keep in mind that many bands (as well as other entities in other types of media) have already profited off of freely redistributable content.

[Caspian]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

I don't agree with the majority of cd's copyright laws, but I'll try and play the devil's advocate atleast to an extent.
1-9. From what I understand, it all boils down to being able to listen to essentially the same cd in two different places, simultaneously, without paying the artist for both copies.
10. it wouldn't
Summary: its basically that for some people, enough isn't enough. they can never have too much money

OT: you always see the commercials before movies about how pirating is wrong and it hurts the crew rather than the actors. Are there any numbers to show a loss in pay or shortage in jobs due all the piracy "running rampant"?

Honestly, I figure someone will try to come up with a way to keep people from fast forwarding through commercials on their dvr's.

[Feba]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

OT: you always see the commercials before movies about how pirating is wrong and it hurts the crew rather than the actors.

That doesn't even make sense. I mean, I haven't seen those ads, but isn't it usually actors, production staff, and executives that make money off continual profit; while other crew and staff get paid for their work, regardless of how well the film does?

Also, they already have; product placement. Luckily it's still not too popular.

[Caspian]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

That doesn't even make sense. I mean, I haven't seen those ads, but isn't it usually actors, production staff, and executives that make money off continual profit; while other crew and staff get paid for their work, regardless of how well the film does?

Also, they already have; product placement. Luckily it's still not too popular.

Yeah, one of the last times I went to the theater (like last summer) it was some promo with a bunch of actors and actresses talking about how they're looking out for the little guy on the movie sets and movie d/l'ing is making the gaffer's children go hungry.

Product placement has gotten terrible. Watch an episode of Smallville, its gotten to the point where whatever they're advertising has their logo in nearly every single shot and now they've started getting the writers to actually throw their slogan into the dialogue. That alone is nearly enough to get me to quit watching a show.

[Feba]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

Watch an episode of Smallville

I'd really, really rather not.

[Aksannyi]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

Honestly, I figure someone will try to come up with a way to keep people from fast forwarding through commercials on their dvr's.

It still works anyway, even while fast forwarding you can see enough of the ad to recognize the product, and putting the product's name in your head is often all the company wants to do. Studies have shown that even subconsciously recognizing a product increases the liklihood that you'll buy it, so just having their name on your radar is good enough.

All the flashy stuff is great because it catches your attention more easily so that you will gain even more recognition of the product, but just having their name in your mind somewhere is enough to influence you to buy it.

[Ameroth]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

As a consumer of products, copyright is very bad.

As a producer of products, copyright is very good.

[Caspian]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

I'd really, really rather not.

thats probably for the best

[Feba]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

As a producer of products, copyright is very good.

Eh, not so much. Copyright inhibits art a lot of the time.

Example: Every time you hear "FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW" instead of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU".

[Caspian]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

Eh, not so much. Copyright inhibits art a lot of the time.

Example: Every time you hear "FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW" instead of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU".

you don't sing "for he's a jolly good fellow" at birthday parties?

EDIT: is anyone clear on when viewing a movie with friends becomes public viewership punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $250,000?

[Feba]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

EDIT: is anyone clear on when viewing a movie with friends becomes public viewership punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $250,000?

Well, I used to have some friends that ran a shop; they had a TV area set up for customers (or rather, customer's husbands and kids that were bored) where they constantly showed DVDs. it wasn't really strict though; anyone in the mall could just walk in and watch. They never got in trouble for it; although I doubt even the most MAFIAA like organizations don't want the bad press that comes from suing an extremely family-friendly mom and pop shop.

[Feba]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

little to no economic incentive could also result in less incentive to produce/create or improve upon.

The Renaissance disagrees.

[Malacite]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

Copy Right Laws are essential ...

That said, a lot of them (particularly in the music industry) are done poorly. We all have the right to protect and keep our intellectual property.

[Feba]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

Copy Right Laws are essential ...

Back that up. Explain how a lack of copyright is essential, given that artwork has survived and thrived for years without protection; and given that there are artists that will willingly give away their works.

We all have the right to protect and keep our intellectual property.

Which is the same as saying that nobody else has a right to share and build upon things which can be culturally significant.

[Feba]

Re: Questions for people that support copyright law for some reason.

Most of the great Renaissance works were commissioned.

Which has always been my point.