[free-sklyarov] On the subject of the DMCA . . .

[tom poe]

Hi:  There's a short message at:
http://www.worldccr.org/kids.htm
about some kids in India, and the computer.  Briefly, these kids without 
parents, live in a garbage dump.  A fellow placed a computer in the wall 
surrounding the dump, and left.  It didn't take these kids very long to 
figure out how to use the computer, surfing the web, playing games, etc.  
When asked how the computer worked, the kids didn't really know, but they did 
know how to use it.

The Internet is out there.  People may not know how it works, but they do 
know how to use it.  It didn't take long to figure out that the Internet 
makes choices possible, that weren't possible before.  With the Internet, 
people can explore alternatives to the "present system" of doing things.  One 
example is found in the area of music.  There is a model for studio quality 
recording for FREE at:
http://www.worldccr.org/recordinghome.html
that shows how it's possible and feasible to offer recording studio time to 
those without money.  Such a model, at first blush, might be seen as a threat 
to the "present system", for it could be seen as a way to avoid having to 
play by the rules of the Music Industry aka RIAA.  In fact, unless the RIAA 
changes its' models for how music is recorded and distributed, the entire 
industry will sink into the abyss, never to be seen again.  That's a promise.

The pharmaceutical industry has "institutionalized" itself, built on a 
"present system" that encourages altering of clinical research data to suit 
its' needs.  There is a lengthy introduction to this at:
http://www.worldccr.org/toppage11.htm
which illustrates that there are solutions to the problems surrounding the 
"present system" of clinical research.  As far as the pharmaceutical industry 
is concerned, such solutions are to be discouraged, as they impact on what 
the industry feels makes the most money for them.  In fact, this solution 
increases their profits, and is a "no brainer" from the standpoint of 
economics.  Yet, because there exists a very tight "door" to walk through, 
the industry perpetuates its' model, without need for a pharmaceutical "DMCA" 
approach, at the expense of the lives of millions of "victims" each year.

I believe that's where the RIAA is headed.  They are engaged in an assault on 
the Internet, which, in turn, will lead to a well-planned narrowing of the 
"door" we must walk through for satisfying personal enjoyment and interests.

I wish I could remember where I saw it, but it sent chills up my spine.  Some 
CEO was reported standing in front of the audience talking about history, and 
how we're entering the world of tomorrow, one that is controlled and led by 
global corporate executives, not governments [these jerks actually believe 
this stuff].  If that was indeed, true, then there is no big leap to take to 
realize that these CEO's, the RIAA, are actively engaged in pursuing such a 
vision.  How far is this new-age "company town/nation" willing to go?  Just 
take a look at the DMCA, the SSSCA, the PTO nonsense, and our loss of 
personal freedoms that once were held close to our hearts.  Who said, "We see 
the enemy, and the enemy is us."?  Well, the enemy isn't us, it's "Them".  
Those who would introduce a bill designed to instill fear into university 
researchers, designed to jail teenagers, young adults who would offer 
alternatives to $300 games, designed to remove books, articles, and papers 
from the Internet that can be no longer enjoyed without a fee charged [I'm 
referring to the effects of retroactively mutilating the copyright laws that 
exist, today].  There's talk about a Digital Divide, between the have's and 
have not's in our world.  The same governments, agencies, and spokespersons 
involved in these talks, are busy ratifying treaties, enacting laws, and 
legislating policies specifically directed at making sure that Digital Divide 
is widened as much as possible.  Making sure that democracy and freedom of 
speech are extinguished in the name of Copyright.  If there is one direction 
that people should move, today, it should be straight at the Internet.  There 
should be an all-out push to educate as many people as possible about what is 
happening, to make access to the Internet as easy as humanly possible, for 
poor, disadvantaged, underdeveloped nations, and to encourage each and every 
person to take the time to look for alternatives.

Want to read about one last item, food for thought?  Consider how many 
computers one would need to send to an undeveloped nation, in order to bring 
the entire country "on-line".  There's an example at:
http://www.worldccr.org/kiosks.htm
that describes how entire countries can be outfitted with computers, at 
something less than $700 per community.  That's the total cost, and it 
happens to fall in the working range for microcredit applications.  Dangerous 
stuff.  There's an example of how information can be shared around the world, 
without disrespecting "reasonable" copyright laws, policed by the world 
community, not some RIAA fanatic [ http://worldccr.org/xmloriginal.htm ].  
Lessig's Commons Project will no doubt be the world's most recognized 
"lynchpin" in a world that no longer tolerates corporate brutality.  More 
dangerous stuff.  There's something exciting about Dangerous Stuff, isn't 
there?  <grin>
Thanks, Tom