Unlikeliest movie pirate in history...

[Big RR]

Well, I disagree with you re the shoplifting, and think that encouraging respect for the law is important, especially among children.

As for the reel to reel recording, I sincerely doubt that "millions" of kids were doing it. I'll be the first to say that recording industry has been a bit hamfisted in their enforcement actions, and think there are many ways that the industry could respond to the new technology and still assure compensation for the creators of the music, but that doesn't obviate the fact that the law is there for a reason. Take away the (often small) compensation that the composers/songwriters receive, and you'll end up with far less talented people working in those areas.

[dales]

Stealing a 50-cent candy bar =/= lifting a $1000 Rolex.

There are degrees you know.

As for the reel to reel recording, I sincerely doubt that "millions" of kids were doing it.

How many teens were born between 1946-1964 (my era) millions!

Millions of them had access to reel-to-reel and cassette recording machines.........hell, I can recall when albums were played full-length and the radio host would intiate a count-down so all could cue up their machines!

Did BMI or ASCAP raise a stink?

Take away the (often small) compensation that the composers/songwriters receive, and you'll end up with far less talented people working in those areas.

And since when does money buy talent?

[Scooter]

Millions of them had access to reel-to-reel and cassette recording machines.........hell, I can recall when albums were played full-length and the radio host would intiate a count-down so all could cue up their machines!

Did BMI or ASCAP raise a stink?

Yes, they did, actually. Many countries imposed levies on blank cassette tapes that were funnelled back to the recording industry, precisely because it was recognized that they were being used to pirate music.

[dales]

Perhaps Canada did, in fact now that you bring this up...I'm fairly certain that some European countries did.

I don't believe the US did (even if they did it wouldnt have mattered to me).

As a side:

I recall Hollywood getting all in a snit when BetaMax and later VHS first appeared.

Looks like Hollywood came out on the short end of the stick on that one.

[Gob]

[dales]

Funny graphic (who uses floppies and cassettes anymore?).

[Gob]

Nobody really, they were crap at killing music.

[BoSoxGal]

No government attorney is going to prosecute this 92 year old veteran, and if the MPAA is stupid enough to sue him, they'll never get a jury to rule with them.

Do you folks have any idea the rates of unemployment, homelessness, suicide, alcohol & drug abuse and mental illness amongst our returning war veterans?

It's fucking shameful. I think Hollywood can grant them a few free movies whilst they sit in harm's way and their families self destruct back home. No working class best boy has it as tough as our grunts in Afghanistan & Iraq.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Do you folks have any idea the rates of unemployment, homelessness, suicide, alcohol & drug abuse and mental illness amongst our returning war veterans?

I meet many in the rooms of AA (probably the most represented "group" in AA, a distant second seems to be construction workers, firefighters or police).

[MajGenl.Meade]

Do you folks have any idea the rates of unemployment, homelessness, suicide, alcohol & drug abuse and mental illness amongst our returning war veterans?

You mean that old bastard sent them "Sex in the City 2"?????

[dales]