June 10, 2003

Commercial skipping is piracy?

Don't buy ReplayTV. They are stripping the ad skipping feature in new digital television recorder models because the copyright cartel doesn't understand copyright law or fair use and they are scared of controversy. [ReplayTV strips ad skipping in new DVR models]

Let's see what Professor L. Ray Patterson has to say on this issue: "The competitor uses the copyright; the consumer uses the work. The copyright owner, by reason of the Copyright Act and the copyright clause, has not only no right to interfere, but a duty not to interfere with the consumer's use of a publicly disseminated work."

Also, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chairman of the House subcommittee overseeing copyright law, said that future Federal Communications Commission regulations involving digital TV should not "have an adverse affect on how consumers may legitimately use lawfully acquired entertainment products." Smith also opposes mandatory copy-protection in pcs, while calling for greater disciplinary action against peer-to-peer pirates at universities. [Legislator warns FCC on digital TV] [via gigalaw]

Update: EFF says Public Has Right to Skip or Mute Movie Scenes [6.18.03]


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