[PvK]

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:

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Originally posted by PvK:
... So far in this thread, we're still bogged down trying to stiffle the cries that corporations should be allowed to publish data in copyable form yet we should still enforce any unauthorised act with that data. ...

Allowed to publish data in copyable form? There IS no form that will let you access the data and still not copy it!

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There used to be plenty, because it didn't use to be possible to trivially copy practically any media. That's how the old system made a little sense. Nowadays, it's becoming increasingly easy to copy and distribute data of most kinds, and so that business model is making less and less sense.

There are still some reasonable ways to control content for sale though, some old and some new. For example, performances where the audience comes to a venue, as can be reasonably asked as a condition of attendance, to not make copies. Movie in theaters, plays, concerts, etc. New examples are systems which require a server and generate a unique experience, such as an MMORPG, or a value-added opponent matching service. If publishers are really interested in this sort of business model, they could possibly build in server components to traditionally client-side games, although that could be kind of silly. Imagine for instance that you got the GUI for SE4, but you had to connect to servers at Malfador.com to play the game for more than a few turns.

However, I think most of this kind of business model is a bit silly, particularly in light of the ease of duplication. Society should embrace and benefit from it, and not start inventing perverse ways to try to preserve the old ways when they no longer make any technological sense. There are serious ninnies out there who think the answer is to illegalize devices that can copy data without checking every byte for a copyright stamp, etc. Sounds like from the article I posted a link to, that the CEO of Turner wouldn't mind having your TV watch you to see if you're not watching during TV commericals. Did he read 1984 and think "Mindscreen... hmm... good idea!"???

My suggestion is that we need to find new ways to award creation as a society, that don't involve the absurd and wicked task of trying to control everyone's every data transaction, and that allow us to share all published data freely, and more directly reward the actual creators, and not the bloated leech media cartels.

PvK