Bootlegging and filesharing to bring same sentence as manslaughter

[tzikeh]

Note that the American press isn't where we hear about it.

Making a movie available electronically prior to its release can now result in a three year sentence, thanks to the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act approved Tuesday by the House. The Senate has already passed its own version, and the final bill is expected to be signed by the President.

Since involuntary manslaughter brings, on average, anywhere from 0 to 36 months' incarceration, one might well question the morality of going harder on those who trade files than on those who negligently cut short the lives of fellow citizens. But the 109th Congress is about nothing if not morality...

Other fun highlights? The bill allows for movies to be edited for content against the director's wishes.

Welcome to Amerika - Sanitized for your protection!

Comments

[dragovianknight.livejournal.com]

If I were a fox in a trap, this is when I'd start chewing through my own leg.

[batdina.livejournal.com]

the scary thing here is how not surprised I am by this. I can't even keep up with the ways in which I'm disgusted by my country these days.

[dragovianknight.livejournal.com]

Do you ever read about something passing and think, "Oh, it hadn't passed yet?", because you just assume whatever half-assed bill they propose will pass?

[batdina.livejournal.com]

like the one from last week where the state of Florida decided that it was okay to shoot someone who you *thought* might be about to do something evil?

[kadymae.livejournal.com]

Okay, this is your warning level guage:

I mention I'm taking sailing lessons -- yellow

I sell my car and buy something capable of towing a small sailboat because I've bought a small sailboat and don't want to lose my skills -- orange

I start investigating shipyards -- red

I mention that I'm having an ocean capable trimaran built -- it's time to leave the fucking country.

No, really.

[dotsomething.livejournal.com]

That's INSANE. My brain is going to break (again).

Enforcing copyright is not intrinsically a bad thing, but I think the lawmakers have turned violating copyright into something it's not. I thought the purpose of copyright was to protect the *artist* so they get the royalties they're entitled to. But with all the news recently about copyright & law, it would seem it's really to protect Huge Media Corporation Who Has Plenty of Money Already Anyway, Inc.

[sanj.livejournal.com]

Mary Mother of God.

Can we just buy Vermont and leave?

[agentotter.livejournal.com]

I think I'm gonna be sick.

[akaspeedo.livejournal.com]

I am so out of here, asap.