Once again I held a CD in my hand yesterday that I would have proceeded to purchase had it not been copy protected. Another $22 lost for the legitimate music business. Of course I am sure that I could still go and find the music for free on one of the file-sharing networks.
While we are on the subject, what exactly are Michael Speck’s (of the Australian Music Industry Piracy Investigation) qualifications? Certainly he seems someone underqualified in the area of corporations law. A quote from a report at zdnet.com.au:
“I think it will be a concern to artists throughout the world that when it comes to the pinch this telco will throw its weight behind its online business rather than music,” said Speck.
Well, of course Telstra (the telco in this case) will act to protect its online business at the expense of music. By law Telstra must operate in the best interest of its shareholders. If it makes more money from “online businesses” than music (or “artists throughout the world” whom Michael Speck seems to think are a big market for Telstra) then that is where it should throw its weight. Of course acting illegally is not in the best interests of shareholders (if there is a change of getting caught…) but in this case the action was not against Telstra, MIPI was looking for information to help them in their case against Kazaa et al.
Perhaps he attended the same school as Darl McBride – he seems to have the same brand in logic.