Now that the PRO-IP act has passed, it looks like the really big sticks will come out to beat casual infringers. The even bigger problem is what the RIAA and MPAA call "infringement". Say I plan a long trip, and - rather than carry a stack of DVDs with me, I decide to rip those DVDs so I can watch them directly on my laptop.

Well. According to the powers that be, I've just become a huge danger to society, and the fines under the Pro-IP act could go into the millions. That's just fabulous. The people who do commercial grade piracy (mostly overseas) will not be interfered with in any way by this, but lots of people who engage in fair use will probably end up being slammed against walls.

Update: To illustrate just how Kafkaesque things have gotten, have a look at xkcd...

Technorati Tags: stupidity, law