The only power even remotely able to match that of corporations and their government is that of the people, i.e. individuals (artists/audiences/fans).

Unfortunately, very few artists seem to be particularly interested in dealing directly with their great unwashed. They’re always seduced into a courtship with their old corporate pay masters. Better the devil you know than the deep blue sea…

Ok, from my point of view, this is how drastic measures can completely destroy the plot of anything close to ‘net neutrality’ or even attempting to rule out things like the ID system, internet passports and things like 3-strikes. The whole ‘net anonymity’ thing is a serious concern. It’s important to use the rules of journalism in this day and age. Somehow, AP-style has dissapeared on the web and the internet has a ‘tabloid’ attitude. Like, you can completely destroy someone in a few clicks by reporting anything. It’s not right. It’s not cool. It’s not the future. Internauts need to put pressure on the e-liars. End of.

@ Crosbie ” The sad thing is, no-one will notice your anguish because you’ll be disconnected, and as they’ll say “Offline, no-one can hear you whine”.
That’s 100% correct. The only way forward, however, is to present at least ’something’ viable and possible to the government otherwise. One bit of food for thought: We have driving seat corp’s bedding up with government. The ‘labels’ will not be in those driving seats in the future.. however, somebody else are taking their place (and it’s happening rapidly). So, the people’s voice needs to be loud and clear… but, everyone needs to recognize that the future enemy proabably won’t be your creative industries (like RIAA or MPAA) they are now pawns on the chess board (apple has kinda proven that in a silly way by showing them that their (music) industry was relatively incompetent and unable to suss what was happening). Now, the world dominance is getting tighter. just something to think about. Kind of like when the wall came down. That ‘check’ system disappeared and let out another can of worms. Do you see what I’m thinkin’ here?

It’s like “Hey, guys, isn’t this much better? This way you and your family simply lose your Internet connection at our client’s whim. No litigation, legal fees, million dollar fines, or jail terms. And if you try accessing the Internet via your neighbour, we’ll simply disconnect them too. No charges or arrests for aiding and abetting. No RIAA swat team. I think this could be start of a beautiful relationship, don’t you? Have some appreciation for our generosity in supporting this extra-judicial solution that will hurt our bottom line considerably. We’re going to have to go easy expanding our Ferrari collection thanks to this. And don’t worry, disconnections, equipment confiscations, and asset sequestrations won’t start in earnest until all primary jurisdictions have enacted this kinder, gentler, graduated response. ”

Some lawyers are just too kind to their fellow men.

Now there will be some that suggest that 3-strikes should only be used against people who received any money during their infringement, e.g. a DJ, podcaster, e-bayer of an iPod, etc. But, the problem with 3-strikes is that no evidence is required. It doesn’t matter that you can prove you erased your iPod before you sold it. It doesn’t matter that you can prove you only included CC music on your mix CD. It doesn’t matter that you can prove the donation you received was for the previous week’s podcast. NO EVIDENCE is needed to disconnect you. Your evidence of innocence has to wait until after your ISP has disconnected you, after your PC has been confiscated, after your assets have been seized, after you have located a lawyer willing to take on your case, after you have paid your lawyer to demonstrate at a tribunal that you have grounds to plead for an appeal against your disconnection, and then at your appeal your evidence can be presented (if you still have it). Maybe, you will then be reconnected… until the next time.

There is NO SANCTION for 3 strikes, even for suspected terrorists let alone suspected file-sharers. Read the Crucible to get a vague clue as to why incrimination upon suspicion/accusation is such an abomination. If you thought being sued for copyright infringement in court was an injustice, wait until you suffer disconnection at the whim of the MAFIAA. The sad thing is, no-one will notice your anguish because you’ll be disconnected, and as they’ll say “Offline, no-one can hear you whine”.

Better get WiMAX.