You see, it "strengthens the rule of law, and will help keep American families safe." We certainly don't want American families being made unsafe by all those horrible file sharers (tens of millions of them). Think about all the little babies that could be hurt.

Bush Signs Law Creating 'Copyright Czar'

PRO-IP Acts makes cabinet-level piracy position on par with the US drug czar.

President Bush signed the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (PRO-IP Act) into law yesterday which increases penalties for intellectual-property infringement and provides the Justice Department with more resources to coordinate federal and state efforts against counterfeiting and piracy. The bill covers everything from film and TV to music, drugs and software.

The White House had initially opposed the bill out of concern that Congress was making unconstitutional attempts to create executive branch positions and a reluctance to divert precious Justice Dept resources towards civil prosecutions for copyright infringement. After the latter proposal was removed from the bill, the President apparently found the legislation palatable enough to sign.

"President Bush has worked to ensure that there is a level playing field worldwide for American businesses and innovators, free of counterfeiting and piracy," reads the White House press release.

What I think was his main intent with signing the PRO-IP Act was to please the powerful business concerns who lobbied so heavily for its passage.

"What the Congress recognized and the president has ratified is the critical importance of innovation, technical invention, and creativity to the US economy," said Rick Cotton, executive VP of NBC Universal. "This law will dramatically move the priority of IP enforcement up the agenda in critical ways."

I'm sure it's vital to the US economy that we now have a Copyright Czar who can waste taxpayer money on trying to rid the Internet of pirated "Heroes" or "The Office" episodes.

"By becoming law, the Pro-IP Act sends the message to IP criminals everywhere that the U.S. will go the extra mile to protect American innovation," said Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

This is the same Tom Donohue who had even gone so far as to recently equate interference with copyright laws with Marxism.

The presidential appointee will chair a committee comprised of representatives from the Office of Management and Budget, the DOJ, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Patent and Trademark Office, the Department of Homeland Security and more. The Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator's (IPEC) main role will be to plan how best to tackle copyright infringement with the aid of law-enforcement agencies. However, he or she will have no direct control over how law enforcement agencies operate or prosecute.

"The PRO IP Act broadly reflects the principles of STOP! (The Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy) and helps to reinforce and codify the Administration’s accomplishments in protecting and strengthening the rights of American workers, consumers, and innovators," continues the White House press release.

Why is that American workers are always the first people as being helped by any signed legislation? It wasn't American workers who lobbied for the bill any more than it's American workers who it most protects. The people who worked so hard to get it signed into law are the same ones who stand to gain the most - the entertainment and pharmaceutical industry.

Even more galling is where the press release reads: "The PRO-IP Act protects the work of American innovators, strengthens the rule of law, and will help keep American families safe."

Safe from what? Bootleg copies of "Iron Man?" Congress has already made sure we can't import cheaper medications from other countries like Canada which sets price restrictions, so what exactly are American families being kept "safe" from?

ZeroPaid

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it is stealing if you dowload record or song from internet without paying for it to the songs copyright owner, normally song writer/singer/player.period.

it is stealing if you dowload record or song from internet without paying for it to the songs copyright owner, normally song writer/singer/player.period.

Nonsense. By saying that it's stealing I take it that you believe that those tens of millions of people that file share should be prosecuted and put in jail, since it's as you say, stealing. That's been the movie/music industry's propaganda of choice for years. Just cuz they sez so. If someone buys a movie or album and decides that they want to share (and that's what we're talking about here) it with someone else it's not stealing. Like it or not, it's a norm of society.

EDIT: Just to clarify. I'm not neutral on this issue :)

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wrong, assume that you are working, and then comes payday, and surprise, you don´t get paid cause people haven´t pay for items but steal them, so you worked and starve. it is not sharing, it is stealing, and people should admit that, if they do so. it doesn´t make it right that millions are doing it, if you wanna make it legal, chance law.

I have a problem with the word "Czar" (well I have a problem with the idea of behind these "czar" departments as well, but that is a different rant of mine). I need to study the past Czars of Russia, but were they not bad people? That term might be insulting to many. Is it what we should be calling our law enforcement?

Chris.

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When I was a kid, we used to record albums on cassette tapes for all of our buddies... Yes, it was stealing then, just as it is stealing now... Difference is, back then nobody cared, because record sales are just a small percentage of the profits... The real tragedy is that it isn't about entertainment and enjoyment anymore, it's about making maximum profits... Emphasis, on the word maximum... ;)

(Once again... We are replacing 'morals' with 'moral laws', which are nothing more than cheap imitations... [rolls-eyes])

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Good point. I have a funny feeling that record companies use this issue to explaing bad profits ... when it could be that the music is just not good or that the economy is down. But it is a lot easier to tell shareholders that it is those evil no good music swappers.

Chris.

When I was a kid, we used to record albums on cassette tapes for all of our buddies... Yes, it was stealing then, just as it is stealing now... Difference is, back then nobody cared, because record sales are just a small percentage of the profits... The real tragedy is that it isn't about entertainment and enjoyment anymore, it's about making maximum profits... Emphasis, on the word maximum... ;)

(Once again... We are replacing 'morals' with 'moral laws', which are nothing more than cheap imitations... [rolls-eyes])

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it is stealing if you dowload record or song from internet without paying for it to the songs copyright owner, normally song writer/singer/player.period.

Nonsense. By saying that it's stealing I take it that you believe that those tens of millions of people that file share should be prosecuted and put in jail, since it's as you say, stealing. That's been the movie/music industry's propaganda of choice for years. Just cuz they sez so. If someone buys a movie or album and decides that they want to share (and that's what we're talking about here) it with someone else it's not stealing. Like it or not, it's a norm of society.

EDIT: Just to clarify. I'm not neutral on this issue :)

It isn't because they say so. It is the law and has been the law since before there was a movie/music industry. And there wouldn't be a movie/music industry if it wasn't the law.

Unfortunately, theft from others is a norm of society. Look at the story of Robin Hood for one example. Another example is the phrase redistribute wealth. Each, just like fire sharing, takes from the rightful owner and gives it to someone else.

I don't think that governments could build enough jail cells for all the criminals. What government and society need to do is stop teaching that theft is acceptable public policy.

I agree with your idea that to solve large problems education is the key. Not jail cells. For example, there is no way we can put all the drug users in jail. This would only create a mess and turn them into harder criminals. So to carry on your idea we have to find an education solution to the drug problem as well as the music swapping problem.

That being said. There is some truth to "redistribute the wealth". In my mind I don't mean taking it from the rich and giving it to everyone else. That really does not help. However, we must make sure that trusts and monopolies do not form and control the money supply. We have had that happen in our country back in the late 1800s and have seen it in other countries. That only leds to the crushing of the middle class and indentured servitude of the poor. So we must have laws and good leaders (like Teddy Roosevelt, Taft and FDR) to make sure companies do not form into trusts. Past railroads, mining, phone and oil companies have all done it before and will do it again. It is the nature of a totally free system. That is why we have had and must have rules to government the system.

Chris.

it is stealing if you dowload record or song from internet without paying for it to the songs copyright owner, normally song writer/singer/player.period.

Nonsense. By saying that it's stealing I take it that you believe that those tens of millions of people that file share should be prosecuted and put in jail, since it's as you say, stealing. That's been the movie/music industry's propaganda of choice for years. Just cuz they sez so. If someone buys a movie or album and decides that they want to share (and that's what we're talking about here) it with someone else it's not stealing. Like it or not, it's a norm of society.

EDIT: Just to clarify. I'm not neutral on this issue :)

It isn't because they say so. It is the law and has been the law since before there was a movie/music industry. And there wouldn't be a movie/music industry if it wasn't the law.

Unfortunately, theft from others is a norm of society. Look at the story of Robin Hood for one example. Another example is the phrase redistribute wealth. Each, just like fire sharing, takes from the rightful owner and gives it to someone else.

I don't think that governments could build enough jail cells for all the criminals. What government and society need to do is stop teaching that theft is acceptable public policy.

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we must make sure that trusts and monopolies do not form and control the money supply.

At this point, that statement is almost laughable... ;)

(Mom and Pop shops are long gone, Wal*Mart ain't ever going away, and neither is CNN.)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

It isn't because they say so. It is the law and has been the law since before there was a movie/music industry. And there wouldn't be a movie/music industry if it wasn't the law.

The "laws" can say anything about anything but there is a difference between legal and non-legal explanation. Consider it legal vs. moral. The two can conflict, and often do.

Unfortunately, theft from others is a norm of society. Look at the story of Robin Hood for one example. Another example is the phrase redistribute wealth. Each, just like fire sharing, takes from the rightful owner and gives it to someone else.

What are you trying to say here? Okay first, yeah, we know that generally, theft is something that's bad. I didn't say that theft was a norm of society. I was referring to file sharing specifically, not file stealing. Well, Robin Hood stole physical property yes. But how many people do you know think what Robin Hood did was wrong (besides yourself)? That would be strange. Yeah I can just imagine those people reading a book or watching a movie about Robin Hood thinking, gee, that Robin Hood, he sure is terrible. And since you mentioned Robin Hood as an example (big mistake :D), one major force behind this extreme law are the movie companies that make movies which portray him in a very positive way. And while they continuously argue that file sharing is piracy and theft, they also make tons of money from movies that glamorize pirates and piracy. See the hypocracy here?

List of Robin Hood movies
List of pirate movies

What government and society need to do is stop teaching that theft is acceptable public policy.

Are you serious? I don't want the government or society "teaching" me anything. That could lead to the unfortunate times of the past. Besides, todays corrupt officials have very little moral standing to tell the people about right or wrong.

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When I was a kid, we used to record albums on cassette tapes for all of our buddies... Yes, it was stealing then, just as it is stealing now... Difference is, back then nobody cared, because record sales are just a small percentage of the profits... The real tragedy is that it isn't about entertainment and enjoyment anymore, it's about making maximum profits... Emphasis, on the word maximum... ;)

(Once again... We are replacing 'morals' with 'moral laws', which are nothing more than cheap imitations... [rolls-eyes])

What, Jeffrey you had a mass recording device? Today those are considered to be weapons of mass recording (WMRs). Very bad.

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Jeffrey you had a mass recording device? Today those are considered to be weapons of mass recording (WMRs).

I had a duel tape deck with high speed dubbing... better known as, the first WMR... ;)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

It isn't because they say so. It is the law and has been the law since before there was a movie/music industry. And there wouldn't be a movie/music industry if it wasn't the law.

The "laws" can say anything about anything but there is a difference between legal and non-legal explanation. Consider it legal vs. moral. The two can conflict, and often do.

Unfortunately, theft from others is a norm of society. Look at the story of Robin Hood for one example. Another example is the phrase redistribute wealth. Each, just like fire sharing, takes from the rightful owner and gives it to someone else.

What are you trying to say here? Okay first, yeah, we know that generally, theft is something that's bad. I didn't say that theft was a norm of society. I was referring to file sharing specifically, not file stealing. Well, Robin Hood stole physical property yes. But how many people do you know think what Robin Hood did was wrong (besides yourself)? That would be strange. Yeah I can just imagine those people reading a book or watching a movie about Robin Hood thinking, gee, that Robin Hood, he sure is terrible. And since you mentioned Robin Hood as an example (big mistake :D), one major force behind this extreme law are the movie companies that make movies which portray him in a very positive way. And while they continuously argue that file sharing is piracy and theft, they also make tons of money from movies that glamorize pirates and piracy. See the hypocracy here?

List of Robin Hood movies
List of pirate movies

What government and society need to do is stop teaching that theft is acceptable public policy.

Are you serious? I don't want the government or society "teaching" me anything. That could lead to the unfortunate times of the past. Besides, todays corrupt officials have very little moral standing to tell the people about right or wrong.

Laws are a society's moral code. Perhaps you missed that lesson in school. Or are you saying the law only applies if I (you) personally think it is good? What would be the point of having laws then?

As to property you are then saying the only thing that can be stolen is something you can touch. That intangible items (intellectual property) like a patent, copyright or trade secret can't be stolen because they are intangible. Then why did you use the word "property" to describe it?

As to education and teaching, I checked and you list yourself as being in the US, are you not aware that the US Federal Government has a Department of Education? Your ballot, you are a registered voter aren't you?, most likely has some names of people running for your local school board. Education is a government function in the USA.

I do see you are trying to say there is some difference between sharing and stealing. The problem is you are missing one important fact. If you share a vinyl record with a friend while he is using the vinyl record you don't have it to use. He also returns it to you when he is done. If you share a file with a friend that isn't true.

It's not a crime,
it's mischief, take from the Rich and see if you like it.

I'm so glad you don't mind that keystroke logger on you computer. The starving children in Somalia will be happy to get the money in your bank account.

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I subscribe to Macleans magazine and Adbusters magazine.
After reading these publications, I take them to work and drop them in the lunchroom for anyone else to read.

Am I guilty of violating "intellectual property rights" by doing this?
Is the person picking up the magazines guilty of this also?

I see no difference in the act of sharing these "intellectual properties" other than the manner in which the "properties" are transfered.

I lend books to friends and borrow books from them. Have we committed a crime?

we must make sure that trusts and monopolies do not form and control the money supply.

At this point, that statement is almost laughable... ;)

(Mom and Pop shops are long gone, Wal*Mart ain't ever going away, and neither is CNN.)

Fox is competing with CNN.

I subscribe to Macleans magazine and Adbusters magazine.
After reading these publications, I take them to work and drop them in the lunchroom for anyone else to read.

Am I guilty of violating "intellectual property rights" by doing this?
Is the person picking up the magazines guilty of this also?

I see no difference in the act of sharing these "intellectual properties" other than the manner in which the "properties" are transfered.

I lend books to friends and borrow books from them. Have we committed a crime?

Lending or giving the magazine to someone else is not violating the copyright.

You need to make a new copy and give the copy away to be illegal.

we must make sure that trusts and monopolies do not form and control the money supply.

At this point, that statement is almost laughable... ;)

(Mom and Pop shops are long gone, Wal*Mart ain't ever going away, and neither is CNN.)

Fox is competing with CNN.

So is MSNBC, but Bill O'Reilly is convinced the ratings are fixed.

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Join the PACK!

we must make sure that trusts and monopolies do not form and control the money supply.

At this point, that statement is almost laughable... ;)

(Mom and Pop shops are long gone, Wal*Mart ain't ever going away, and neither is CNN.)

Fox is competing with CNN.

So is MSNBC, but Bill O'Reilly is convinced the ratings are fixed.

MSNBC is far left and is losing, but CNN is not neutral. CNN is biased to the left.