Hollywood and the hackers

Hollywood has decided it's now setting up shop in cyberspace. Problem is they're moving in and they also want to change the way the neighbourhood is run. They don't want to compete with a free alternative that reproduces their product. Whether you sympathise with their particular problem or not, what they establish, and what the commercial media web as whole get set in place to counter copyright infringement could fallout on a far wider target than just the seeders of Hollywood DVD's. As digital convergence slowly becomes a reality - and content centric portals flourish all over the internet, those enjoying this facility need to think about what it means, and how much it matters before its already gone. And don't think it's not already going - One UK tracker site, The Mixing Bowl, has recently received a cease and desist notice from the BPI (British Phonographic Industry). It's a small dance music site carrying forums and a tracker for (only) non-commercial DJ recordings, particularly BBC Radio One Essential Mix, 6 Mix, Annie Nightingale and similar. Of course Hollywood is just following in the footsteps of the music industry. 'For almost three years, the RIAA has been conducting a reign of terror and they have actually tripped across what is possibly their most effective device which is bringing lawsuits against defenseless people.' according to Ray Beckerman, a lawyer representing clients in cases against the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). (http://www.defectivebydesign.org/node/404) This article from BBC2 Newsnight gives a good insight into both traditional and radical viewpoints. Hollywood and the hackers By Adam Livingstone and Richard Taylor BBC Newsnight http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/5064170.stm Motion Picture Association President Dan Glickman (http://www.mpaa.org/) locks horns with Electronic Frontier Foundation's John Perry Barlow (http://www.eff.org/) over big media's war with the internet.