avg citizen racks $12mil in copyright infringements daily

[CmdrFly]

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm

John Tehranian, a law professor at the University of Utah, estimates that in an average day, he totals as much as $12.45 million USD in liability. He sees his case as the norm, not as an exception, which is the topic of his new research paper (PDF). According to Tehranian, "We are, technically speaking, a nation of infringers."

Tehranian illustrates numerous everyday examples. For example, copying the full text of an email for a response is technically a copyright violation against the writer. Tattoos such as Tehranian's bold Captain Caveman emblem on his shoulder are a thorny issue, which seem to infringe on copyrights. Furthermore, Tehranian states, if he were to take off his shirt at the University pool and go for a swim; his tattoo could be deemed a public performance, racking up even more copyright infringement charges.

Tehranian has calculated his year liability -- for everything from the birthday song, to his home decorations -- and has rung up his yearly liability bill and just about $4.5 billion USD.

Tehranian does not engage in p2p file sharing as some might wonder upon seeing that tidy sum. Tehranian tries to illustrate that the poor legal language of U.S. copyright law makes nearly everyone in the country civil offenders in a sense. He sees the "vast disparity between copyright law and copyright norms" as a mandate for copyright reform.

This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

 

[Kagemusha]

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

http://www.dailytech.com/One+Nation+Under+Infringement/article9716.htm


This post added $250,000 to my infringement total.

Im in ur QCDN infringin' ur posts.

 

[Tok]

Tehranian's shit does not stink as some might think...it wafts a clean odorless smell, comprible to a field of fresh lavender growing in the sweet spring air. in the mornings, tehranian pisses excellence and brushes his teeth with a golden toothbrush...chuck norris looks up to tehranian

i think you missed a part

 

[Tyrath]

So p2p people even more eh?

I'm worth billions!!!!

 

[Tagrineth]

i think you missed a part

Huh? O. o

 

[Xalioniaf]

The birthday song's copyright is set to expire in 2030.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You
The more you know>>>☆

 

[Tok]

Huh? O. o

lawl

it was meant to imply that someone arrogant enough to take the time to research how much money an average american builds up in copyright law infirngment must hold himself in high regard...thus...my quote.

 

[Arctyrael]

*looks at music*
*looks at videos*
*looks at email*

$.$

 

[CmdrFly]

it was meant to imply that someone arrogant enough to take the time to research how much money an average american builds up in copyright law infirngment must hold himself in high regard...thus...my quote.

That's a bit of a blanketed assumption. Thousands of people get paid to research random stuff, this guy is one of them.

Tehranian is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, an organization that has existed for over 100 years that aims to educate citizens about and improve copyright/IP laws. This is his job; he's an employee, not an egotist. Did you see the part where he himself claims he's technically open to be sued for a multi-billion dollar infringement suit?

 

[Khajit]

The birthday song's copyright is set to expire in 2030.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You
The more you know>>>☆

That is... the most retarded thing ever.
Ok not really but it's sad how stuff this stupid exists.

 

[Lanien]

That is... the most retarded thing ever.
Ok not really but it's sad how stuff this stupid exists.

Why do you think restaurants all have their own birthday song for people? They aren't allowed to sing happy birthday to customers because the song is copyrighted.

 

[Khajit]

Are there even people that pay for that damned song?
I'm surprised they dont raid kid's parties on thier birthday to slap a lawsuit on the parents after they confiscate the camcorder for evidence.
All this time i thought it was people trying to be witty when they sang that song differently.

 

[Lanien]

Well for a birthday party at a kids house, it isn't being done for profit (Although I guess you could argue it is) Singing a song at a restaurant is party of their hospitality which they are basically charging people for. If you are using the song to make yourself money, then yes, it is wrong.

 

[Khajit]

I was thinking along the lines of if the clown or anyone else paid to help with the pt sings along they could technically be slapped with a lawsuit. The parent might then be called an accomplice if they ask anyone to sing along that legally cant.

 

[Lanien]

I was thinking along the lines of if the clown or anyone else paid to help with the pt sings along they could technically be slapped with a lawsuit.

Technically, they could lol Not worth the time and effort and money probably.

 

[Khajit]

Oh i'm sure there are some middle class people they could find.
I was more annoyed by the fact that they could do that than whether or not they would.

 

[Mattaru]

i think you missed a part

I have the feeling you didn't get it. He isn't discluding himself, his argument is simply copyright law is so vastly different then the way people actually treat it (the norm) that maybe some people ought to rethink/reform copyright laws (I'm assuming to better capture the spirit vs. letter of the law).

 

[Tok]

I have the feeling you didn't get it. He isn't discluding himself, his argument is simply copyright law is so vastly different then the way people actually treat it (the norm) that maybe some people ought to rethink/reform copyright laws (I'm assuming to better capture the spirit vs. letter of the law).

nah, i guess i didnt get it, still tho, what does any of it prove?

am i infringing on the transformers copyright because i have a decepticon sticker on the side of my TV? oh wait on the side in real fine print theres a statement of copyright or wait, am i infringing because i took a halloween skull decoration and tied a set of jack sparrow dread locks on it? im sure i could get sued for copying the skull and crossbones insignia, or how bout the plush spiderman 3 toys i have, i ripped the tags off so theres no statement of copyright anywhere, could i get sued?

copyright laws IMO are bullshit =/

 

[CmdrFly]

could i get sued?

Far as I understand, yeah you can. I think this is what he (Tehranian) is getting at - the laws are horribly inappropriate for use in today's world.

In the past, we were allowed to make backup copies of any CD we purchased - nowadays we get sued for it because we're technically stealing the song and illegally burning it to the backup disc. This hasn't changed on paper (in law) from what I see either... it was simply a loophole in the past, a loophole now, and the recording industry is capitalizing on what may be a money grab.

I'm sure a reform would take some time, but this article could be useful to anyone facing a court waltz with the RIAA and/or it's counterparts. Change won't come quickly but if professionals in the biz see flaws with the laws, they're mildly tougher to enforce.

 

[Tok]

Far as I understand, yeah you can.

thats pretty fuckin stupid if you ask me =/

if they were to properly enforce it they would stop producing cdrw and dvdrw drives and discs

thats like saying "hey we dont want you making illegal omelettes, but we're gonna give you access to a frying pan and a spatula and let you buy the recipe"