January 7, 2004
Free Downloads? Hold the Phone
Elizabeth Biddlecombe for Wired has written an article on how easily (or not) dowloading applications on a cell phone can be, pointing out that "content that is not optimized for your particular network and handset may not run as smoothly as content that is" and that some carriers, like Verizon Wireless, make it physically impossible for someone to download any unauthorized content to their phone.
Elizabeth also brings up infringment of copyright laws, "copying a derivative work is what you are doing when you download a ring tone onto your phone", unless of course it's from a Website that has obtained authorization from the copyright holder. An interesting point, "there is the additional twist with ringers in that they ring in other people's ears and that could be construed as a public performance".
But there is good news: "There's no cause for concern just yet. By its own admission, the Recording Industry Association of America has bigger fish to fry than the millions of individual mobile phone users.
"It's not something we are deeply involved in at the moment," said a RIAA representative. "Our focus right now is peer-to-peer networks and online piracy."
Good article.
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