Mashable - The Social Media Guide - Latest Comments in Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Andrew P. — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:22:54 -0000

For all you people born since 1980, there used to be something called "analog recording". It was used to record vinyl LPs and Compact Cassettes. No digital bits. No Digital Rights Management. It still works. Play your SCMS- or DRM-controlled music on any player capable of producing high fidelity stereo sound and feed that into the Line In port of a good quality sound card on your computer. You'll have a recording that sounds indistinguishable from the original, certainly better than an MP3 conversion from a CD, and THERE'S NO WAY THE RIAA OR ANYONE ELSE CAN PREVENT IT.

Short of outlawing sound cards and software on computers that are capable of making recordings, there's nothing the RIAA or any company can do. They've already lost the battle.

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Adam Hirsch — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 13:17:46 -0000

Wholeheartedly agree with you on that Patric. I give the big Music Corporations 2 - 3 years before they do a 180 though. Unfortunately, the American media will always force the big music company's music on us though, at least for now, since they have the money.

- Adam Hirsch, Mashable.com

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Patric Herber — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:09:38 -0000

There has to be a certain level of boundaries when it comes to any purchase and Sony has by far overstepped those. If a person makes a purchase on a product you should have the right and the ability to use that product anyway you see fit.

I think that these "guerrilla" type tactics are what drive musicians to other outlets, like the Internet no longer needing and/or utilizing Sony's services, so in essence they are only shooting themselves in the foot.

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Todd — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:08:00 -0000

Oh Booo hooo hooo, the poor RIAA, and Sony. I guess the next thing they will try and stop is computer programs that help you mix and record your music. In other words, using these programs put the poor recording engineers out of work. oh boo hoo. excuse me I must go compose myself.....

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

thingsyoushoulddo — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:38:37 -0000

I purchased a Christmas CD from one of my favorite artists, Jane Monheit, a couple years ago. I use my computer as my personal home stereo and so I never could get the stinkin' Sony CD to play. I'm the audience the music industry needs to keep, since I'm a frequent CD purchaser, but I'll never buy ANY product from Sony ever again.

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Memo — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 07:23:56 -0000

I live in Moscow, where I can buy a "pirate" cd - for 2 quid. This pays for the case, copying, label and distribution.

CD's selling for 15 pounds is basic theft!

Sony - the technology medium has changed and you are being left behind. Adapt your business model or die.

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Adam Hirsch — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:52:39 -0000

The bulk of the "Music Industry" are being hypocrticical. You would think that their main goal was to get the world excited about music, which is what has happened. Even during the time of the CDs, there wasn't a mass movement to purchase the next album because after 400 CDs, you've spent a fortune and lost valuable space in your home.

Unfortunately, Sean, Sony isn't alone here.

Fortunately, I think think Roachy Jones has the right idea. They are fighting the wrong battle, they need to update their strategies with the shift in technology. Sony is just pissed that the Walkman is no more and the iPod (and similar devices) have conquered their shares.

-Adam Hirsch, Mashable

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

phenom — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:05:19 -0000

I don't give a damn to what Sony thinks. How can they restrict consumers from backup CD.

http://vidsonly.blogspot.com

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Sean P. Aune — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:40:27 -0000

The question is: Is Sony the only company with this view point? Are all record labels taking this view point? Does it also apply to digital files you purchase? Am I not able to store a second copy on a backup hard drive? Am I not allowed to burn a backup CD?

I think there has to be a reasonable expectation of what consumers are going to do under fair use, and, I'm sorry, but Sony needs to understand that consumers have a right to enjoy something they legally purchased in a manner they chose for personal use.

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Roachly Jones — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:52:32 -0000

The business model is the real issue Sony and other big labels need to come to grips with. They are fighting an uphill battle with people's changing preferences, technology and everything else.

Sony has become a fallen rock star trying to regain the fame they once had, much like the many musicians they were built upon.

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

CountRob — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:16:32 -0000

Well, I don't think everyone shares your perspective Sony.

Just because someone says something is wrong, does not mean it is. But that is what's going on. The RIAA is trying to turn everyone against their neighbour by brainwashing people into thinking actual theft is going on.

I've said this before: Bands don't make money from music sales, they make money playing at concerts. Royalties are only a fraction of their income.

Theft is the RIAA gouging artists. They only pay like a dollar an album. So who's the one that's stealing?

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Adam Kalsey — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:52:55 -0000

RIAA has held this position for several years. In a filing about the DCMA they said, "creating a back-up copy of a music CD is not a non-infringing use." They also said, however, "it's perfectly lawful to take a CD that you've purchased, upload it onto your computer." (see http://www.eff.org/deeplink...

It would seem that they've been fairly consistent in their views over time, even if they inconsistently apply the basic concepts behind their idea of fair use.

Re: Sony Says: Copying Your Own CD is Stealing

Colin — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:42:31 -0000

How arrogant can one company get?

Sony sells (at a premium price) something that isn't fit for purpose - a medium that won't last 10 years (Remember 8-tracks. Can I get a refund Sony?)and whose quality is less than the original recording - and then accuses the buyer of stealing if they (the buyer) take a sensible step to preserve their purchase.

What's next? Home builders accusing homeowners who do DIY of unfairly maintaining the house that was built? After all, if left alone, one might reasonably expect the house to deteriorate, creating more business for the home builders. So DIYers are stealing for home builders, surely?