From this article, the MPAA wants to authorize home theaters for viewing movies. This, of course, also means that they’ll charge you money to watch a movie that you’ve already bought. I couldn’t get the other link to pull up, so I couldn’t get more details.
If I buy a DVD, it already includes all applicable fees for viewing said movie. I can watch it once or put it on repeat for the rest of my life and I shouldn’t have to pay anything else. I can have a movie-watching party with 100 friends. What I can’t do is charge admission; charge each person a fee for viewing my movie. I’m a little fuzzy on the legalese, but once I pay for a movie, my obligation to the artists and producers is complete. I’m not going to pay another fee for the right to watch the movie.
That said, if the MPAA wants to change the way that I watch movies in my own home, they are more than welcome to try. XBox Live allows TV and Movie rentals through the 360 now. I’m sure the MPAA latches onto some of those fees. Those of us without a 360 might like a less expensive way to watch downloaded media. So, MPAA, why don’t you innovate instead of trying to leech money after-the-fact? Bums.
November 28th, 2006 at 11:29 am
I think (/hope) that the original article (http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/11/home-theater-regulations.html) was satire.
I wasn’t sure myself, at first. Titles such as ‘Microsoft Purchases Evil From Satan’ and a wise friend convinced me it must be satire.
November 28th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
I haven’t been able to view the site, but saw the same article on Slashdot.
November 28th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Satire or not, it’s interesting that the article is so instantly believable as something the MPAA would try.