Media

VCR == DVR

LawMeme brings up Sony v. Universal in MPAA Misleads in Response to ReplayTV Lawsuit. IANAL, but in my opinion Sony v. Universal applies equally well to DVRs as it does to VCRs. The primary and secondary functions of both technologies are equivalent. Given Mr. Valenti's love for hyperbole, I'm surprised that he hasn't compared Sony v. Universalto Roe v. Wade.

If they wish to overturn Sony v. Universal, then they should suffer the consequences of the non-existence of the VCR, and return all monies received from the sale of content in that medium. Not acceptable? I didn't think so.

By the way, the MPAA states: "We have never indicated any desire or intent to bring legal action against individual consumers for use of this device."

Why not? Aren't the individual consumers the parties committing the theft?

2:29:23 PM # Google It!
categories: Law, Media

Scheduling Difficulties

My wife and I watch TV together. She doesn't like Star Trek, so I don't watch that unless she's a) asleep on the couch, or b) out of the house. What are the odds that Enterprise will be on when I'm able to watch it? Close to never.

I thought I would have a chance to watch the show the other night, since the moon was in the Seventh House, Jupiter aligned with Mars, and my wife was going out to see About a Boy with one of her friends. Did I see it?

Of course not.

Instead of showing Enterprise, UPN showed Wolf Lake. I turned off the box in disgust.

UPN lost a pair of eyeballs to resell to their advertisers. The networks should not be fighting TiVo and ReplayTV. If I do not see the show at all, then the potential that I'll see the advertisements is zero — much less than if I have the option to skip the ads.

12:30:24 PM # Google It!
categories: Media