“Apple’s sleek digital audio device is one of the most successful tech toys, selling more than 3 million units since November 2001,” Jefferson Graham reports for USA Today. “But its future, with that of other new tech gadgets, could be in trouble if a controversial congressional bill passes. That’s according to opponents of the Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act in the Senate. It would make operators of media-swap networks such as Kazaa and Grokster liable for users’ actions. It also would make it easier for entertainment companies to sue tech firms for copyright infringement.”
“Opponents say the language is so broad it could apply to makers of MP3 players, such as iPod, and CD and DVD recorders, as well as to media organizations that give consumers tips on using digital content,” Graham reports.
“Current laws suggest fines of $750 to $150,000 per song. Apple’s top iPod holds 10,000 songs,” Graham reports. “‘At $150,000 per song, that would make Apple potentially liable for $1.5 billion per iPod,’ says Jason Schultz, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. ‘That’s the worst-case scenario. Even at $750 per song, a loss would completely bankrupt a company.'”
Full article here.
Why doesn’t anyone get a bunch of lawers and stop this BullSh*t. The RIAA is getting to be like a communist organization. If O.J. can get a dream team together and win, the people can too.
STOP THIS MADNESS!!!! NO more recorders & players….Stop this BS.
So we now have congressmen or senators wanting to make Apple liable for how many MP3s someone might carry.
But it is okay to buy guns a shoot people, and oh gun manufaturers aren’t liable.
This is good.
The EFF rock! I am going to become a member. This organization is like the NAACP of digital rights.
Thanks, Shabaz & kg, for the good info and links on how to fight this thing. Sad that we have to fight for it, but apparently very necessary.
So, does this mean that gun manufacturers will be liable for what their customers do with their products? Oh right, the NRA…
You can walk into a pipe store and buy a “bong” legally. Because it’s what a customer puts into it that may be illegal, not the device itself
I agree, but ask Tommy Chong about this, when he gets out of prison.
My 20 year old cassette machine can record songs.
Will it be taxed retrospectively?
if you want your rights then fight for them every day cus theres allways some one out there that wants to rule you all
There are ways to fight crap like this.
1) Don’t vote for congressmen who support the backing of Hollywood and the music industry.
2) Join the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation)