I think the curtis files is gon

[Michael Bayus]

In previous threads, I have linked you to the curtis files dot com.  This waws an all Nostalgia tv channel on which one could see shows like Highway Patrol, 77 Sunset Strip, The Million Ear and others.  There has been some controversy as to whether Mr. Curtis was in violation of coppywrite laws or not.  Apparently the issue has been resolved, because the web site is gone.  He is being accused of distributing TV shows that are not in the public domain, and charging money for them, as he had a paypal button there, and he asked for support for the web site.  He claimed that he is severely disabled and can't work, and that his only means of support, was the upkeep of his web site.  While I don't quite agree with him, in that I am totally blind, and I am gainfully employed, and it is those like him that make it hard for the disabled to work, (seventy percent of the blind in the United States are ready, willing and able to work, but can't get hired,)  Taking him down is not the answer.  His web site was a good place for those of us who want to remember how it was to watch those old shows, and those who have no idea how it use to be, can learn.  The shows were not stored on any server, they were only up for a specific time, and then taken down, and were not easy to download by others.  Maybe I should keep quiet, but I have had an angel voice telling me to say something for the last 2 days, and I listen to my angel voices, I think if we go after him, for copywrite violations, we showld go after everyone who has a DVR and records shows to timeshift and enjoy them later.  If I were to envite you to my house to watch say, NCIS at 11:30 instead of 8:00 PM, am I as guilty of the same violation as Mr. Curtis for putting TV shows up on that big DVR in the sky.  What do you think?     

[AKA]

I applaud you for working in spite of your disability, Michael; you are to be commended. But please keep in mind that there are an untold amount of types of disabilities, and I'm not sure if Mr. Curtis ever specified what his was. If he says he's unable to hold down a job, why not take him at his word until you can prove otherwise?

I, too, am severely disabled and have been unable to work for over five years now. While I now receive Social Security checks, I would much rather be rid of my illness so I can work again. I miss it dearly.

All that to say I completely understand Mr. Curtis' desperation to make money. Those Social Security checks are about a third of what I used to earn when I was in the work force! Still, copyright infringement is copyright infringement, whether the Paypal link was there or not. The man was making money (or at least attempting to) off of the intellectual property of others. If his only punishment was having his site yanked from the Internet, he got off light. 

If you invited me to your house to watch time-shifted programming, I might gladly accept... unless you had a money donation jar on your coffee table requesting funds for the privilege of watching your TV. Make sense?

[willdav713]

The copyright laws today, are asinine.  They need reform, You can't eliminate all piracy.  It is like the war on drugs it will never ever be won. Sorry but these are the cold facts. 

I understand that these producers, musicians, artists, and actors/actresses have to make money, and be compensated but the current system is a slap in the face to everyone involved.   

You can develop all the DRM, Marcovision, CSS, License keys you want, but there will always be some type of workaround.

A solution is to place a surcharge on all media mediums and internet service (like the tel-cos do with Universal Service to ensure all Americans have access to telephone and high speed internet) the providers and manufactures of the media mediums send the monies to the FCC and the FCC delivers it equally to the record companies and television studios. 

As for the Software companies, they need to use the tools necessary that they have at their disposal, and we need to not give China "Cart Blance" to our exports, and imports.  I think the great Ross Perot was right, standing up against NAFTA and the like. Perot knew this was going to happen.

I have a disability, also receive SSDI for it, and the checks do not fully pay the rent.  Said SSDI Check is $20 less than my rent and that doesn't include any utilities.  I can only make $1100 a month as a non blind person according to the SSA.  I do think that municipalities should provided vouchers in addition to SSDI for cities like Austin where the Cost of Living is high, I know New York, and California do that at the State level, but city leaders have not stepped up to the plate.  I have mentioned this at City Hall.  But like many, falls of deaf ears to the elected officials.  Take some time off and get involved at Council Meetings at City Hall.  Write to Romney and Obama, and the Candidates about this.  We can't change anything if we just only talk about it here.   

I have never heard of the Curtis Files, but I do watch several classics on YouTube. Hulu, and Crackle, as well.  I don't mind the 1-3 minute commercials.   

Sorry to veer a little off topic but just trying to add helpful solutions and suggestions that do face broadcasting today as we now have several choices today vs. back then.