What is Your Opinion of This?

There is a lot of truth in what you have said, munhozmib. I have noticed the prices continue to rise for these products, and I do think it contributes to piracy. Having said that, they should go after the people who are pirating rather than law-abiding citizens.

The prices are also too high for many Americans, munhozmib. While we are supposed to be one of the wealthiest nations in the world, there are many Americans who live AT or BELOW the poverty line. These large corporations are only interested in adding more money to their coffers-not in making their product accessible to everyone. When you add all these facts together, there is little wonder that piracy is so pervasive.

I'm glad you think so. But chasing the ones who make the piracy is also a wrong action to take. It will just increase the number of hungry people in the world, since many earn their monthly income from this. See if you get my view, now, on this simple example: I want to buy a Windows Vista. The Windows Vista costs 44.99£. But here in Brazil we do not use Euro. 44.99£ would be 66 USD (United States Dollars). Perhaps it might be cheap for those who live in US, but, as I said, I live in Brazil. 66 USD would be something around 117 Reais (the currency used in Brazil). We earn, as a minimum wage, 380 Reais (210 Dollars). So, I'd have to spend almost half of what I earn in one month to buy a Windows Vista, and I'd hardly be able to buy food for my 4 people Family (just an example). However, I know a guy who works with piracy. Do you know for how much he is selling Windows Vista? 10 Reais (5 Dollars; 3 Euros). I can buy from him, it will work the same way and I'll have much more cash in my pocket. Now, isn't it an absurd to be selling a Software for almost what I earn? Note that this does not include Microsoft Office, which is MORE expensive than Vista itself. Saying this, I'd have to spend a whole month wage to buy two softwares, while I can spend a max of 20 Reais. So, now, don't you think the prices are a bit too high? Perhaps not for Americans, but yes for us Brazilians. Can you see it?

Funny you should mention the VHS movie tapes, pyewacket, because, like everything else, someone soon discovered a way to get past the code. I remember when I purchased my first one and was told how to override the code. What I am saying here is simply that a person should be able to make a copy of a movie or music CD for their own personal use once they shell out the astronomical price they cost nowadays.

PS--not all software programs you buy are necessarily "locked"--some allow you to copy/upload several times ...My friend purchased the word processor program for her Mac computer...one could use/copy it up to five times...that's how I got my program as she sent it to me...after my time of copying/uploading then it became "locked"

I wholeheartedly agree with you, carolbee. The average person, like you or I, only want to buy music or movies for our own personal use.

Most people would do the same thing, sarah. They are presuming that everyone is out to beat the system.

I disagree, nmhschic. Their rights do not extend to saying I am breaking a law if I want to make a copy of a CD or DVD that I paid my money for.

But, don't you think, ctry, that they are going on the presumption that everyone is crooked? Most of the people I know buy their music and movies legally. I don't know more than a couple who buy software.

To be honest, world, we are all crooked to a certain extent. We all bend the rules "just a little bit" if we are to be honest. For example, I saw you in a post farther up saying you should be able to copy your CD for your car. I personally think that is true and a good idea. But, haven't you ever copied a CD for a friend? That is not the right thing to do. The friend should have to buy the CD if they want it. It's human nature to bend the rules, and I think the entertainment companies have a right to reel us back in.

I agree, sigma, and I do hope they will take this under consideration before they make their final decision.

If I drove a car, winky, and wanted to listen to a CD that I like, I should not have to take that CD from my home every time I get into my car. If I paid for it, I should be able to have a copy to keep in my home and one for my car. Most people I know keep certain music for their cars.

You are the voice of reason, foxyfire! My point exactly. It should not be breaking any law to copy-for your personal use-that which you have paid your hard-earned money for.

Just to balance things out, blueunicorn, I'll cede you that point, but, back in the days before we got the technology to make copies, artists were not being paid multi-million dollar salaries either.

The artists may not have been making multi-millions of dollars, but I think they were making the equivalent for the time period. I remember when I was in 8th grade (1988) I said I wanted to be a lawyer because they make $50,000 per year. Wow, that was a lot of money! Now my family makes pretty close to that and it is nothing really. I honestly think that the stars have always made an insane amount of money, but I could be wrong.

Well, Sillychick, in my own twisted little mind, once I BUY it, it's mine to do with as I please-within legal requirements.

These laws are not targeting the sleazy people who illegally copy material to redistribute it, usouljah, but, instead, they are targeting the honest buyer who might only want to make a back-up copy for their own personal use. I don't have a problem with them going after those who break the law, but I pay good money for all of my music and movies.