SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT v PAUL OWEN & ORS (2002)

[Bruce M Simpson]

On Fri, May 17, 2002 at 10:06:49AM +0100, Martin Keegan wrote:
> Under the new agenda, the levy will be applied to computers themselves,
> not just to blank media. Apparently there's a case on in Germany trying to
> achieve exactly this. 

This is laughable, considering that a whole segment of the community which
would be affected by this legislation build their own computers from parts.

Then again, if one chooses to commodify one's dissent in this way, one may
wind up paying the levy elsewhere in the bill of materials.

> As a UK resident, I don't look forward to having this situation harmonised
> down my throat.

In the end, those with the knowledge and skills to circumvent the
legislation tacked on by the agenda being pursued, probably will choose to
circumvent the protection. Ultimately, excessive legislation of this nature,
which affects the consumer at large, increases operational costs at the
expense of profits. This may be a difficult pill to swallow for those
pursuing the pro-DMCA agenda.

BMS