GOOD news and bad news. First, record labels seem to be putting the brakes on CD copy protection such as CACTUS, which stops Cd's playing in many Cd players as well as computers, and is easy to bypass and rip a cd to MP3 anyway.

The bad news is that they soon won't need to - computer manufacturers will do the job for them.
While record companies haven't actually come out and said they're dropping the copy-protection technology - that in many cases stopped CDs from playing - it hasn't appeared in anything like the volume we feared.

However the next threat to copying is from Microsoft and Hewlett Packard, whose new "digital media" PC incorporates anti-piracy technology.
The copying of CDs and downloading of MP3 files off the net will be impossible on these new machines.Inevitable really, seeing as Microsoft now wants to control entertainment, as well as the PC and the games console market.Bill Gates yesterday drafted in Titanic director James Cameron to launch his newest piece of domination technology - Windows Media 9.

Having spent £320million and four years developing this digital beast, Microsoft is on a mission to outlaw illegal file sharing, kill off MP3s and control your music and video collection.
Thing is, who in their right mind would buy a machine they knew contained this technology? Maybe you first time buyer who is unaware of the restrictions on the machine, or maybe your inquisitive hacker determined to find a way around the technology, a wire here... maybe a chip like on games consoles there... job done.
Maybe even a software work around....

This all seems to tie in with the bill being put forward to make it illegal to use a custom built or modified computers on the internet, the problem with that law is it would only affect users in the USA and not world wide, however the USA pretty much controls the PC industry as we know it... would measures like these kill off the US Pc industry and cause manufaturers to move to Europe and the far east?

Question: Who's doing the most damage, the pirates or the people out to stop them?

Thanks to MSFN.org

never ending...money hungry ;)

This century's big problem is Ethics. Business began a tongue in cheek review last century. Clinton and other guys made a mockery of it. GWB has a chance, but he may be blowing it.

As far a music goes. The marketers make cd's too expensive for the avg guy on the street. Were they $5 a piece most of us would buy them and forget the rest. The other thing is constantly changing technology. I just got through dumping 300 LP's and now I'm thinking about dumping 600 commercial audio cd's after converting them to mp3, getting ready for dvd.

The dilemma is that we live in an unsustainable consumer consumption environment and some of us can no longer keep up with the next door neighbor

If they are planning to "ban" copying of CDs and making of mp3s... doesnt that infringe on my rights as an American? Say I go out and buy a CD from the store and due to space contraints or leisure, I want to rip that CD into mp3s. First of all, it is my CD, I bought it, so I should be able to do whatever I want with it (granted I do not break any laws like illegal trading). Secondly, if they do "ban" mp3s, then the only "legit" mp3s that will be on the market are those from the bands who created the mp3s, or is Microsoft planning to get those guys as well? It doesnt look good. People need to realize that times are changing and instead of trying to impede technology, they should go along with it. As with any music format before... if we didnt go along with technology, we wouldnt be where we are today. Heck, we would all be back on LPs! Imagine playing a LP in your computer... :P

Can't remember where I read it, but seems to me I saw an article saying you can rip to mp3 and use them yourself, but it is an infringement on copyright law to give it to anyone else, even a family member.

Is there a lawyer in the house?

heh, no probs man, then we just get the Lindows OS pc from walmart....