[Air-L] time out please

[Ed Lamoureux]

>
> Sorry folks. I've been overly involved in this one.  I'm sorry if  
> I've taxed your patience.
>
> The positions I've taken today have sounded very "establishment."  
> My actual belief system is somewhat contrary to some of what I've  
> noted.
> In general,  this new media  climate is REALLY challenging for IP  
> law. I teach about it all the time, usually AGAINST the current  
> regime.
>
> "WE the people" have NOT been adequately represented by our elected  
> officials in these matters. They've given over law making, for 100  
> years, to industry legal beagles.  So now that the law has to apply  
> to everyman, it can't cause it was written by and for the big  
> content industries.
> And the law changes real slow. And the last time it changed (DMCA)  
> it headed further against users. We have no IP law for new media  
> users.
>
> However, we DO have a lot of IP law that IS still in place and DOES  
> get applied, everyday. Just because many ignore it does NOT make it  
> irrelevant.  And of course, US IP law does not in every place apply.
>
> In general what I believe about data collection is that informed  
> consent is pretty darned important and that, generally speaking,  
> human subjects should be protected as thoroughly as we can. Having  
> said that, I've both done a lot of field research and I'm real  
> clear about the various nuances of public/private & permissions. I  
> did my dissertation using a recording walkman, set on record in  
> full view, without any permissions, in retail shops, among random  
> and anonymous subjects who were totally unaware they were research  
> subjects. That work would be illegal today and I wouldn't be able  
> to get the permission of the stores--I did then. It was legal 25  
> years ago in the states in which I did the work . . . so I  
> understand both sides of the fence. I tend, now, to be a bit more  
> conservative about such matters than I was in my graduate school days.
>
> the nature of the internet certainly complicates all of these  
> matters tremendously.
>
> I need to stop harping now. ... please understand if I don't answer  
> your worthy questions past this post. . .  my hands hurt.  I  
> continue to monitor the list of esteemed colleagues, in who almost  
> every case know WAY more than do I about internet research, with  
> interest and respect.
>
> peace
>
> ed
>
>