[mythtv-users] Another step towards what I'd predicted

[Tom Dexter]

On Jan 9, 2008 4:37 AM, Steve Smith <st3v3.sm1th at gmail.com> wrote:

> >
> > "In place of DRM software, the music will be "anonymously watermarked"
> > in an attempt to help the label learn whether songs are being shared on
> > peer-to-peer networks."
> >
> http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/Sony-softens-stance-on-DRM/0,139023166,339284900,00.htm
> >
> > So while they may have removed the DRM from a couple of CDs, they still
> > assume their customers are all criminals.
> >
> > I guess we couldn't expect much else from Sony.
> >
> > Dean.
> >
> >
>  7
>
> Regarding the watermark, I can sympathise with Sony on this one.
> After all what I suppose most people want is the freedom to move the tracks
> between their own devices, a "fair use". If you then put the track onto a
> peer to peer network that's a bit unfair to Sony really so for them to be
> able to track this, is fair I suppose. Fair has to run both ways... at the
> moment of course Sony gets all the fair.
>

I have to disagree whole-heartedly with you there. Think about it:

It's never legal to put a copyrighted song on peer to peer, watermark
or not.  If they want to go after someone for it, use the DMCA and get
the persons id from the ISP.  Are we supposed to trust their watermark
as enough evidence to sue someone for hundreds of thousands of
dollars?  That would sure put a lot of power in the hands of Sony's IT
people if you ask me.

I'd also like to know the exact nature of the watermark.  I'm sure
they didn't put it somewhere easy to change like the ID3 tags, so
where/what exactly is it, and is there a potential for it to affect
quality or playback in any deviced?  My guess is that they just don't
give a shit, just like they don't care that some DVD players
(including some of their own) choke on their DVD copy protection.

I suppose it's all a moot point though...that whole scheme of making
people buy something at a brick and mortar store in order to download
something online may be one of the most comical things I've even
heard.  That one's sure to crash and burn.

Tom