06-18-2003, 05:59 PM
Feryar,Jun 18 2003, 07:59 AM Wrote:The only solution to that problem was to return the CDs and then download the music and burn it. I guess they kind of shot themselves in the foot with that one :(Actually, this is stealing. If you disagree with the conditions to own music, you should do without. By illegally downloading it all you do is support their 'rampant piracy' argument. Think of it this way - I have a stand where I sell the best chocolate pies ever (or whatever you really like; work with me). The price of the pie is $10 and I get to hit you in the head with a hammer. You can either take the pie and the hit, or not have any pie. But if you take it without paying and getting hit then that is stealing, and you're only defense is 'I wanted the pie but since I didn't like what I'd have to do for it I stole it.' (As for if it's legal to write a contract that stipulates an intention to injure, I'm pretty sure boxing contracts would be said to include that. Yes this example is extreme, but it makes the point.)
The best way to handle this is to first return the music as defective and not legally a CD, and be loud about why. Eventually Best Buy or whomever will get tired of the returns and step in; they are a corporation after all. Second, ask others to boycott the artist/label as well, including concerts, fan-sites, etc. Third, when the bill to prevent this kind of unlabeled protection is introduced in Congress, write your representative. (Apology for assuming a US view, but others can apply this to their governmental process as appropriate.)
If you must have the music (for whatever reason), it is still technically legal to buy the CD, then download the music in a form you wish to use. Once you have the CD moving it to any form for personal use is covered by fair use. How you get it into that other form is irrelevant.
I buy under 10 CD's a year. Originally I was protesting their outrageous costs (once it's been out for 2 years, the 'promotion' and 'production' costs are covered, so $14 is ridiculous). Now, they've made the stakes higher.