October 09, 2003

File Sharing: Alternative Takes

The File-Sharing Debates By David Pogue

Last week in this space, I wondered why the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and movie studios get so worked up about online file swapping, when public libraries distribute their works freely without a penny of compensation.

As usual, some of this column's readers responded thoughtfully and with authority; I thought I'd share three of those reactions with you this week.

When I was a Publishing Certificate student, and extremely interested in electronic books, I predicted books would be the next cultural/information item lent to the masses on a regular basis. I'm disappointed that ebooks have fallen on hard times. I hope to produce my own electronic content later this year or early next year.

Posted by ronn at October 9, 2003 08:51 PM

Comments
yeah isn't that something. no one care's about a writer's rights. Posted by: lynne on October 12, 2003 02:08 AM
Writers don't count, apparently. The NYTimes and others have such shitty contracts and still haven't settled with the NWU. We're talking about payouts in the tens, if not hundreds, or million$. Posted by: ronn on October 12, 2003 09:54 AM