The gulf between the labels and the companies behind Kazaa, Blubster and other file-sharing networks seems as wide -- and impossible to bridge -- as ever. Cary Sherman: "It reminds me of negotiating with the mob. 'If you just pay us some insurance, your storm window won't break anymore.' There's an emotional reaction to that." File sharing executive: "... we're dealing with a bunch of idiots." Memo to Santa: these two need to find copies of "How To Win Friends ..." in their stockings. Allow me to cite one of Powell's Rules: Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it. |