k wrote:
] ] Now, any Californian who shares files with more than 10
] ] people must add their e-mail address to the file. Those
] ] who break this law could be fined up to $2,500, spend a
] ] year in jail or both.
]
] Anonymous speech on the Internet is now illegal in California.
] The MPAA is coming to your state next.

Alright, so I know that I'm in the minority here, but the law isn't prohibiting anonymous speech on the internet. It's prohibiting anonymous re-distribution of copyrighted material on the internet. The bill that I read had nothing in there prohibiting one from distributing either public domain or their own material (speech) over the internet. According to the article the bill could limit anonymous speech on the internet, but at this point it doesn't. There has to be some level of compromise between all out copyright chaos and strict enforcement. I think the limit may be a little low at 10 - especially if it's considered a cumulative total over time, rather than all at once - but it still allows people to share with a few friends under the basic intent of "fair use".

Yes, the MPAA and RIAA are evil cartels. Yes, they screw the real artists and creative people. No, putting the screw to them doesn't help the artists who were originally screwed. I'm not being soft on the cartels, I'm just trying to think of a way that we can find a middle ground that is realistic.

Dolemite

RE: Wired News: California bans anonymous speech on the Internet