The SFGate notes that on Tuesday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a new piece of legislation "requiring anyone disseminating movies or music on the Internet to disclose their e-mail address." Failure to comply can result in a misdemeanor.
Hmmm...I suggest that people across California have a National File Sharing day in protest of the privacy loss with the new law, walk into their local police station, and turn themselves in. If only half the people guilty of file sharing in the state did this, it would grind law enforcement to a halt. Maybe then California would just decriminalize piracy.
Link via Slashdot.
Ahnold
Geez...This is very disappointing news. I was, for some inexplicable and, upon reflection, wistfully hoping that Ahnold would somehow be above bowing down to the RIAA and MPAA. Yes, I know he was a star in all, but, let's face it, the man has enough cash and a bright enough future that he doesn't need to sully his image just to please these mobsters.
My hatred and contempt for the RIAA and MPAA grows everyday, and I'm surely not the only person. Everytime their names are raised, hackles rise across the nation, particularly among young and old people. These organizations have managed to make a very, very negative impression and most people seem to associate them with gangsters and Nazis. Ahnold had better seriously re-think his position on these issues if he hopes to run for President.
The Real Ahnold
Apparently Ahnold is only interested in copyright abuse when it is politically beneficial to him. That goes for his wife too. Here's a message I'm posting all over the net:
If you or anyone you know has been threatened/busted for copyright violations regarding video/audio media, you may be interested in what I have to say.
I worked for a school district that for 7 years INTENTIONALLY stole copyrighted movies, etc. to advertise 2 local businesses on our "educational" cable channel (200K households). What the motivation for this was is unknown to me...
I became aware of it at the same time that I observed abuse of the students by the perpetrators of these crimes, including one of them recruiting students for devil worship meetings.
I reported this to the school officials. This began an "Alice thru the Looking Glass" experience for me, eventually resulting in me being fired. This has caused extreme detriment to my family.
I also reported it to: CA Board of Education, Arnie and his wife, the FBI, U.S. Justice Dept., MPAA, and each of the copyright owners individually. Many others too. I have boxes of evidence, there is no doubt. Dates, times of offenses (required for prosecution of these crimes), videotapes, numerous witnesses, certified mail receipts of notification, etc. Agent Sanchez of the Victorville FBI office told me: "because of the negative publicity, these copyright owners are usually hesitant to prosecute when a school is involved." That seems to be the case, so basically I get screwed and the crooks are still laughing and working. Unlike the typical d/l'er, these folks were violating the law to make huge sums of money. I wasn't as concerned about the thievery as the abuse that I am sure continues.
My reason for telling you all this is not to solicit sympathy. It is because it is quite clear the law is not being applied equally. I'm not a legal expert, but I believe that your attorney can use this information to get charges dropped.
Please feel free to spread this wherever you think it may do some good. I want to sing, sing, sing. The MPAA and copyright owners are no friends of mine, so maybe I can do some good going in the out door.
I have _lengthy documents on the web describing the affair in great detail:
http://webpages.charter.net/drfibes/crimesatvvuhsd.htm
http://webpages.charter.net/drfibes/improprieties/response_to_dr_marks.h...
The last link is a letter to the superintendent expressing shock at her threat to fire me for whistleblowing. She resigned 12 days after I sent it.
Send 'em to me. Maybe we can blow this whole thing sky high. My snail mail address is on the 2nd webpage.
-------
I still have the email from Ahnold telling me how happy he was to get my email and he'd be in touch with me about it soon. It's been a year Arnie.
Ditto for Maria Shriver. She's got a webpage telling how concerned she is with children. Obviously that's just a bunch of BS hype. Surprise!
The whole affair is just like out of "Silkwood" or something, not to put myself in the same class as that outstanding person. It's all even more corrupt than you've imagined.
Actors. When will America learn we need real people.