[d@DCC] CRIA wants to *OWN* your XM radio!

From: Russell McOrmond <russell _-at-_ flora.ca>
To: letters (at) thecitizen.canwest.com
Cc: General Copyright Discussions <discuss -_at_- list.digital-copyright.ca>
Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 17:50:16 -0500 (EST)

This letter openly licensed under
  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ca/

http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/news/business/story.html?id=5622209f-fbd9-4664-acc1-cc54b2360050


  In this Canadian Press article by Sandra Cordon the president of the
Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA), Graham Henderson,
expresses his support for Digital Rights Management (DRM) in yet another
medium.  His claim is that this is necessary to stop "stealing from
artists".

  DRM is a technique to transfer control of communications technology from
the user to the manufacturer. Users of these technologies include creators
trying to create and distribute their works, and audiences trying to
receive and enjoy them.

  The right to control something purchased, within the boundaries of the
law, has always been key to our concept of ownership.  This control by the
manufacturer is itself a form of theft, both from artists and their
audiences.

  The claim that DRM will only be used by manufacturers to stop copyright
infringement is nonsense, as existing court cases in the USA and elsewhere
have proven.  The monopolists who own and control communications
technology will abuse this power to stifle competition, control culture,
and attack free speech and other human rights.

  The ever-merging monopolist members of CRIA are trying to protect their
control over the creation and distribution of music in Canada, something
that will continue to harm musicians and their audiences.  Monopolists
like CRIA are the real threat to Canadian music, not copyright
infringement.  XM and Internet radio that is under the control of
musicians and their fans is an important part of the solution to that
threat.


Russell McOrmond
Ottawa, Ontario
full contact at http://www.flora.ca/

-- 
 Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/> 
 Code is Law: how software code regulates the activities of citizens,
 and acts similar to law.  How do we ensure transparency/accountability?  
 http://www.flora.ca/russell/drafts/life-of-hacker.html#code=law
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