I see where the RIAA is up in arms over some mild changes being proposed for the DMCA - changes that would restore a modicum of fair use rights back to consumers. Here's a contrast that struck me:

Shapiro and the CEA would get a significant boost from the bill, should it pass, due to provisions that would significantly shield electronics manufacturers from liability for infringement. The Act would make it difficult for rights-holders to receive statutory damages in most cases of infringement.

That sets off alarm bells for the RIAA. The FAIR USE Act "would repeal the DMCA and legalize hacking," says the RIAA. "It would reverse the Supreme Court's decision in Grokster and allow electronics companies to induce others to break the law for their own profit."

That's just stupid. To the RIAA, if I take a hammer and bust up a car, the hammer manufacturer is at fault. To them, any device that could conceivably be misused should be completely locked down in order to prevent misuse - never mind going after the actual misuse - they think it can be technologically prevented in the first place. That's not a possible future, and, if it were, it would be a very unpleasant one.

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