Date: November 7, 2005 @ 2:18 PM
For once I wish someone in DC actually did something about the entertainment industry. Just to, you know, give the IMPRESSION that they were on our (the public's) side, not on their side (big music). I too, researched copy write and the entertainment cartel's activities to date. Frankly, I’m offended by their very existence. I think the worst thing they did was to subvert our copyright system into a blueprint for monopolization of our culture.

Copyright was originally devised for striking a BALANCE between the creation of new works of art and the public domain. Copyright is in essence a monopoly and was intended to give the artist time to make money FOR A LIMITED TIME.

That’s right; let me repeat that, for a limited time.

The question then becomes (obviously) what is considered a "Limited time"?

When I see an advertisement for a new sandwich at McDonalds or a new candy bar, I always see "for a limited time" as well. This lets me know that while I can expect the item to be available now; waiting for a year to get it might not be the best idea.

Webster’s dictionary says that "limited" means: small in range or scope; not excessive, not unlimited. The way CW stands now, 75 years after the artist’s death does a song or movie becomes public domain. Is this excessive? You bet it is, let me explain why.

When a work of art has been created and released to the public, it has a specific price attached to it. That price is what it took to make that piece of art. Let’s say for the sake of saying so that a song has been created and released to the public via radio, cads, and all other types of media that are floating around.

The song is a hit, everyone loves it, and it stays at the top of the charts (which doesn’t really say anything since RIAA controls those charts-another rant) for a full year.

That original price tag has been paid thousands of times over. The song is heard everywhere for 2 or 3 years, then slowly, like a dream, vanishes from the public eye.

That song has been paid for. Society has paid in full for that song yet it will not fall into public domain for at least 7 more DECADES. Excessive? It was big music that bribed some greedy politicians bought extensions and vole! A chokehold on America and a blueprint for a monopolistic empire built on the endeavors of others

The word "pirate" brings forth images of lawlessness, greed, domination, and thievery. I find this description to be an accurate portrait of the entertainment industry.

The entertainment industry has:

#1 engaged in price fixing their "product" (conspiring to keep prices at a rate beyond what the market would normally support).


#2 used their money to extort funds through intimidation and fear of lawsuits.
#3 bribed positions to get more power to sue more people with unfair laws and harsh penalties.
#4 subverted the youth of America with the garbage they are allowed to broadcast into our homes and subject our children to.
#5 controlled the so called "news" for decades, doctoring it up to further their own agenda.
#6 wasted taxpayer’s dollars and our nation’s resources to further secure their stronghold.
#7 attempted to stifle innovation and technology that does not conform to their outdated business model.
#8 undermined our free enterprise system by unfair business practices.
#9 taking from everyone and giving NOTHING back. (The money you spend at the theater is earmarked for Hollywood, NOT back into the community)
#10 cheated the very people on whose backs they have built their fortunes

I will not, and have not, gone to the theater in more then 10 years; I will never again buy another CD or DVD from them or support them in any way. In the end, that is about all I can really do.

The solution to this is simple. It’s all about breaking up the monopoly. It is already happening; we are seeing the birth of the "open source" entertainment industry. This is a good thing! It should be nurtured and cared for, allowed to develop and grow. As it does so, we will see something amazing.

People who want to play music and make movies not to get rich but because they are driven by the need to create. I contend that this breed of artist is the type we want! They are just pumped to be known (which will LEAD to endorsements etc)

I’m telling you, the arrogance of Hollywood is sickening. Go to smokinggun.com and read the riders of what the current day music or movie star expects for a performance.

Imagine an "open source" entertainment industry where a CD has ONLY good songs, at most you might not like 3 of them (instead of the other way around like it is with the current industry) or where instead of getting sued by the industry for how much stuff you are sharing, you are rewarded for acting as a distributor.

Wake up America, every CD and DVD you buy, you are supporting organized crime and giving them more power