Lately I've been very pro-democrat in general, but then every so often some Democrat does something that's such an obvious sell out to corporate interests I feel ill. Today's example is brought you us by Senator Feinstein:
http://www.eff.org/...
The bill they've put forward would require broadcasters like Live365, to use DRM laden streaming technologies. So instead of broadcasting in the common standard of MP3's, they would have to switch to Windows Media or Real Audio. This would have a number of negative consequences:
1) It would render ineffective existing software that allows for time shifting of streamed content much how Tivo does with TV
2) It would be a burden to the on-line broadcasting industry as they would have to switch all of their infrastructure from MP3 to these other formats
3) The additional costs from licensing the formats would make survival in the fledgling on-line music business even harder.
Of course this would be a boon to Microsoft and Real who would happily provide licenses to broadcast. It wouldn't really do much for the recording industry though unless people realistically believe that people are taking these streams and editing them down to get the individual songs back out.
This is an obvious sell out to corporate interests over citizen interests. The current regulatory scheme does not promote piracy, or have any substantial negative consequence for the recording industry. Doing this will only make it more costly and cumbersome to be an on-line broadcaster.
This is the sort of crap that made people turn to Nader in 2000. Democrats claim to be different but then will turn around and sell us out for campaign funding just as readily as a Republican. Sure they sell out to different interests, but it's still not OUR interest. If Democrats really want to be the party of the people again they need to act like they give a damn.
Update:
As pointed out below it'd be useful to know how to get a hold of Feinstein to give her a piece of your mind. You can e-mail her. Or call her at these numbers:
Toll Free:
(888) 355-3588
(877) 762-8762
or locally:
DC: 202-224-3841
SF: 415-393-0707
LA: 310-914-7300
SD: 619-231-9712
Fresno: 559-485-7430