You Don't Own Squat

Well, here we go, it's finally official, the media cartels have finally decided that we don't own a thing. Microsoft announced today that they have decided to remove "my" before system folders on the next version of Windows (AKA Longwait Longhorn). In another case, a record company has created a new technology that neuters your cd recording capabilities when it comes to music CD's. The technology prevents the user from making multiple copies of a CD; if you do make a copy it inserts information on the disk which only allows you the ability to make WMA files (I hate that stinking format!!!). Online music services, such as Napster, will allow you the ability to download all of the music that you want, but the moment you cancel your service, you loose access to all of the music you downloaded. This has even extended to Television shows which have been already broadcasted over the public airwaves. Bitorrent (a great source for TV shows when you can get to your TiVo) has been under constant attack from the MPAA and other media Associations. I could see how posting a copy of Star Wars Episode III can be considered illegal (It's shown in a movie theater, presented on a screen owned by the theater, and you have to purchase a ticket to see the film thus constituting your right to access/and or see the performance [sort of a EULA or contract between the theater and the viewer]). Television shows fail to fall under this breakdown, unless the viewer is paying a subscription fee for access to the show (channels such as HBO) as they are sent out over a terrestrial signal (which could be intercepted by any number of ways) and used for the private viewing of a home (thus the warning during all major sporting events which only allow for private viewing). Forget it, the ownership society is dead, corporations dictate what you can do and will leave you promptly empty handed when you run out of money. Scary as it is, micro payments may pave the way for the economy of the future. If you want to read the paper, pay your monthly subscription fee then pay addition charges to read each column in the paper. If you want to reread the paper, that is an extra fee. Music, pay to play will soon become the new mantra in the record industry and thus the reason why I have not purchased some of the latest albums.