MPAA caught with its pants down
Do as we say, not as we do
THE MPAA, CHAMPION of nothing good nor right, has been on a crusade against it's customers for nearly as long as the RIAA, font of most of the worlds evil. This time however, they appear to have (so far) unrepentantly done what they decry, copyright violation.
The story goes a little like this, the MPAA weasels released a toolkit for universities to ostensibly track down people the content MAFIAA might be interested in extor^h^h^h^h^hchatting with. Ironically, this toolkit is based on a lot of open source software, not the usual DRM'd proprietary monstrosities they are so fond of. Getting really ironic, they appear to have modified the files and distributed them without giving out the source or telling people how to get said source files.
The technical term for doing this to GPL'd software is copyright violation. This is because if you abide by the GPL, you have a license to the copyrighted work therein. If you do not abide by it, like the MPAA appears not to have done, then you are a copyright violator.
One of the copyright holders tried in vain to get them to listen, only getting the run around from clueless secretaries. He eventually had to, wait for the added irony, contact the MPAA's ISP to get the offending copyright violations removed. Tis to laugh.
The before and after shots show the MPAA did actually remove it, but the fact remains that as of now, they appear to have done some copyright infringement, and the source and changes are nowhere to be found. Unless they do soon, we can only assume they will be sending Matthew $738,098,331.24 per CD shipped, a fair and reasonable sum by their own standards.
We should point out the difference between making available, distribution, intent and criminality here, but we suspect the MAFIAA members already know it quite well. Is the cheque in the mail? µ
Comments
Serves them right
At this point i think we can prove without a doubt that the DRM loving monkeys of the world are not only hypocrites but their own worst enemies and they should have it thrown in their face like this. I'm just glad that musicians are starting to realize that they don't need the record companies and hopefully soon the movie companies will stop being so greedy or atleast realise that better movies mean more profits, not more and more DRM restrictions. I mean come on guys, i won't fault you for region coding as a price control method but HDCP? Seriously HDCP is probably the worst idea you've ever had cause all it does it piss off the uninformed when they are buying hardware only to get it home and realize they can't get full quality or worse yet that it won't work together at all.Sue the MPAA
So why does this guy not try to sue the MPAA for copyright infringement. I'm sure the Pirate Bay would financially aid him!Just think of the press! He would be a legend and famous for years!
I only have one thing to say
Heat the tar ! I'll bring the feathers !roflmao
"$738,098,331.24 per CD shipped, a fair and reasonable sum by their own standards"LOL!! so true!
Call Them On It!!
Give them a taste of their own medicine. It's time that people fight back and not let them slide. By letting them slide, you're saying that it is ok for them to milk millions out of the world for what they call theft but they don't have to abide by the same rules and law. If you don't file suit, you are in essence agreeing that they above the law.MPAA
To be fair I think they should be allowed to pay 10% of the total sum upfront in cash. As an out of court settlment.Oh and a LETTER OF APOLOGY addressed to the public.
Big deal
So if it comes to blows they can just chuck out the source code. Without defending MPAA let's not degenerate to their level - There is a difference between stealing and not complying, you know. Then again who cares on this site as long as you can write some slander...MPAA held to a different standard
I, and everyone else, should hold the MPAA and RIAA to higher standards- they aren't allowed the "accident" excuse other people get to play. If you're shouting about people violating your copyrights, you had best make sure your own affairs are in order, and if you are unlucky enough to run afoul, you had best fix it ASAP.