posted on November 30, 2000 10:18:49 PM
This is a very interesting article from Wired News regarding the public hearings being held by the Copyright Office in connection with the possible changes to the DMC Act. Those that like to burn CD's may enjoy reading this page. http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,40378,00.html
QUOTE
"This hearing will seek to clarify two points of the law: whether the "first sale doctrine," which allows activities like the legal sale of used books, should apply in a digital age; and whether users should be allowed to make a digital, archived copy or adaptation of content -- be it music, video, or software application files -- to use on another machine such as a portable MP3 player."
END QUOTE
Unfortunately, any changes to the DMC Act probably won't transpire until 2002.
posted on December 1, 2000 09:51:57 AM
I really think this news is very encouraging and could have a profound affect on the VERO issues and abuses. I personally believe the DMC Act was thrown together in haste without taking into account the consumer's basic rights and the First Sale Doctrine. I'm not just talking about music and video issues.
We have seen abuses by VERO's who have ended auctions of legitimate items because they simply didn't want to see their merchandise offered for sale in a secondary market and were using the DMC Act to back up their actions. (Waverly fabric and Jeff Buckley come to mind) IMO, this is not the reason the DMC was enacted and I think some of the actions by the VERO's are blatantly illegal especially relating to the First Sale Doctrine and the simple fact that if you legally purchase an authentic item you have a right to do whatever you want with it including reselling it, throwing it away, or spitting on it.
These hearings could prove to be a good thing for our business.
