Copyright Schmopyright

Ok, so I agree with J, especially since I'm a lawyer and much of what I do involves copyright. But, let's face it, the music industry had this coming. CDs cost less than $1.00 to make, royalties add up to about $3.00 or $4.00, so on a $16.99 retail, the label profits over $10.00 per unit. Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all...it costs to package, it costs for this, it costs for that, but you get my point. The labels haven't been hurting for a long time. So they're hurting now. Maybe if they stop selling CDs? Maybe if they stop suing everyone? The direction of music is clear, and it's not the CD. There are better ways to spend money.

Anyway, I was interested to read in US News that some labels are testing CD locks, which allow music to be played in any CD/DVD player, but when it comes to the computer, there are limitations, i.e., anticopying technology. So, what do the 20 million plus iPod users think about these limitations? I don't know, but I can assure you that the iPod is inconsistent with anticopying technology.

My point is not that copyright should be abolished. Rather, you can't 'un-ring' a rung bell. Focus on the future.

It's a fun time to watch or be involved with the music industry.

~ Brock

Stupid: Nature or Nurture?

Every day we go through life and encounter stupid people. How do they get like that? Where did they learn to be a jackass that drives 55 in the fast lane? What possesses them to keep their fat ass in airplane aisles for 1 minute and thirty three seconds to get their neck pillow, popcorn and cassette playing Walkman (yes they still make them), out of their bag before stowing it?

I spend a lot of time in airports and so I am constantly bombarded with a barrage of this type of madness. As I glare at the barbarian standing in the middle of the moving walkway holding their Jamba Juice, listening to Dave Matthews (further evidence of their stupidity), while 14 intelligent travelers are trying to get by, I begin to ask myself, how did they get there. Is it contagious? Did they go to a special school? Did their parents go to great lengths to mentor them and take out second mortgages to bring in special “idiot tutors”? Or do they just “home school”, so to speak.

I realize it may seem like I am describing discourteous behavior but I see them as parallel acts of offence. For my part, I wake up each day and try to educate my daughter so that she is not stupid. Well, I guess I am counting on “nurture”. If in the end, it is “nature” and my daughter turns to be one of the 46.45% of the population that suffers from “stupid”, I will just bite my lip and love her in the same unconditional way I do now.

Jason